Do fasting and life style eating habits in Ramadan affect headache?

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the study is to investigate whether fasting and lifestyle habits in Ramadan have any effect on headaches.

Design/methodology/approach

This cross‐sectional study was carried out in the state of Qatar for a period from 13 October to 13 November 2004. A total of 1,200 fasting Muslims aged between 18 to 65 years were approached and 898 subjects participated. The International Headache Society [IHS] questionnaire and another questionnaire were used to collect the data.

Findings

Of the total 898 subjects, 54.2 per cent were males and 45.8 per cent females. The prevalence of the headache during the month of Ramadan was 76.6 per cent and after Ramadan was 73.7 per cent.

Originality/value

The study did not find any negative effects of fasting during Ramadan on headache frequencies.

Citation

Bener, A., Azhar, A. and Bessisso, M. (2007), "Do fasting and life style eating habits in Ramadan affect headache?", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 37 No. 6, pp. 427-433. https://doi.org/10.1108/00346650710838081