Dubai Health Authority discusses smoking cessation, oral hygiene and fasting for people with health complications during live twitter clinic.

United Arab Emirates, Dubai, July 17, 2013: The Dubai Health Authority held its third live twitter clinic today from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. to address queries on smoking cessation, oral hygiene and fasting for people with health complications.

The aim of this initiative is to provide a platform for people who are fasting to raise their queries with regard to health and receive immediate responses from experts.

Ghanim Lootah, Acting-Director of Institutional Marketing and Communications at the DHA said: “A panel of doctors from the primary healthcare department addressed queries that were raised during the live twitter clinic. One of the important topics discussed was why smoking cessation is easier during the holy month of Ramadan. Other topics discussed included fasting tips for hypertensive people, general fasting tips and nutritional advice as well as oral hygiene during Ramadan.”

Dr Ahmad bin Kalban, CEO of Primary Healthcare Sector said: “Health awareness is a key focus across all our primary healthcare centres and this interactive platform is an excellent way to provide health tips to a large audience. The most interesting feature is that is quick and respondents can immediately get a response to their queries. Through such initiatives we aim to raise the level of knowledge of people on how to take care of their health.”

Dr Sami Al Mana, Community Medicine Specialist at the DHA encouraged smokers to stub the habit during the holy month of Ramadan. He said: “Smokers do not consume nicotine for 15 hours while fasting, therefore, if they consult a doctor at a smoking cessation clinic and get onto nicotine replacement therapy, it will be much easier for them to quit during this month than it would be at any other time.”

He said the nicotine replacement therapy is an individualized plan and provides smokers with lower doses of nicotine as compared to the cigarettes they smoke.

He also warned people about the harmful effects of shisha and midwaq (pipe).

Dr Khulood bin Haider dentist at the DHA said: “The ideal time to brush during Ramadan is after Iftar and Suhoor. She also said that using a mouthwash is okay as long as it is not swallowed.”

Dr Hala Azez Metry, family physician at the DHA advised that those fasting, especially people with gastric disorders should avoid fried, spicy and high sugar content foods. She also advocated eating small meals at regular hours as opposed to a big Iftar which can cause discomfort and slows the metabolism down.

Dr Hamad Hussein, family and community physician said that people with hypertension should drink enough liquids, eat fruits and vegetables and avoid salty foods.

The next twitter clinic will take place on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and will discuss nutrition and fasting during the last week of Ramdan. The clinic will talk about foods which help sustain energy levels through the fasting hours and the clinic will also discuss tips on how to avoid overindulgence during Eid.