Fasting and ability to work

[ChipsOnChips]

Yesterday DC was booked to have an operation - not massively complex but not minor either. The surgery was scheduled for late afternoon and would have taken some time.

Prior to the surgery the dr visited us and it became apparant they were fasting. I felt very uncomfortable about the op going ahead and very conflicted that I felt uncomfortable.

Was I being unreasonable to be concerned?

I don't agree that eating when you feel like it is a happy medium. It is why 60% of people in the Uk are fat. All the latest research points to the health benefits of large gaps between eating to allow the body to heal. There is no God so any muslims doing it for religious reasons are deluded, but they may well be doing their health good particularly if they don't eat too much at night either.

@ Teacup.

Yes, hangovers can be very dangerous indeed. I am pretty disgusted when I see colleagues performance affected by drinking too much. I would have no hesitation in pulling them up on it, and have done so in the past with several 'trainee' nurses and doctors.

But I'm trying to work out whether you think that comparison between fasting for Ramadan and being hungover is helpful to your argument? The more that is used as a comparison, the more people will think "actually, i'd rather not have any bugger who is compromised with dehydration and low sugar operating on me."
The comparison is valid in many ways - a hangover involves poorer mental capacities due to lower blood sugar and dehydration. And fasting means that by the end of a few hours these are the effects as well.

Personally, I don't' think it's a good point of comparison because it weakens your argument.
Just trying to be nice.

Well this just keeps getting nastier

Genuine question pyjama- which part was nasty?
As said, I've many Muslim friends who actively invite debates and discussions about their faith.
I'm going to ask my friend later about this when I go there this afternoon. I'll be interested to see what she says as she is really fascinating about points of debate like this.

I agree Pyjamas

Teacup, you saw surgeons going to operate whilst hungover and said nothing.

And apparently people are not allowed to say that fasting surgeons may be impaired because it is Muslim-bashing and the annual Ramadan-baiting.

Looks like you just want to bury your head in the sand.

Who told you I said nothing? Doctors and surgeons cover their backs, don't you realise that?

Sorry I'm not a fascinating enough Muslims

So what did you say?

I don't see the connection with what doctors and surgeons covering their backs has to do with you speaking up. Do elaborate.

Teacup

So everyone is anti Islam and doctors and surgeons all cover for each other????? Do you really think you have a balanced view?

Lilivon

Your posts have been excellent and very measured

Pyjama - I never said you weren't!
I'm saying that theological debates in general are fascinating and my friend is really enlightening.
She was the one who galvanized me into demonsstating against a nasty piece of anti-religious legislation in our country.
But I do think all religions should be open to analysis in wider social contexts.

There is no debate or discussion left. Several people have said that surgeons could be impaired for all sorts of reasons. Others like me have explained that it is perfectly acceptable to break your fast if you feel too unwell or impaired. Nobody wants to listen.

But blueshoes for the 10th time he could break his fast if he felt he was unwell or impaired!

This is a total non issue.
I think a Muslim surgeon who is fasting may be impaired in surgery because he hasn't eaten for the whole day.

Oh don't worry surgeons often cope on very little food and drink sometimes nothing for hours on end.

If he felt unwell he can break the fast.

Most Muslims are well aware of their limitations and can break the fast if feeling impaired.

And yet circles circles circles.

Never said everyone is anti Islam

Yawn

And yes in Muslim countries the day is shorter to support the fasting. Good for them!

But we live in the UK. My family has been here since the 50's. Sucks for us all that we can't have a shorter day but you know what? We cope. We adapt. We live our normal
Lives with a normal working day and accept that because we live in the UK and not the Middle East. We survive and we can.

I grew up in a country with a significant Muslim. I know Muslims can break fast in certain situations. This thread has been helpful to educate others as well about this fact.

What has not been helpful is the implication by some people that this thread should not even exist because people are not even allowed to ask whether fasting Muslims might be impaired because it is racist ignorance (paraphrasing).

That is not about debate. That is about shutting down debate and a victim mentality.

And you better believe that if a fasting Muslim hurt/harmed/affected anyone detrimentally as a doctor/motorist/dentist/teacher/etc etc the Daily Mail/UKIP/BNP/EDL would be the first to report it

"If you don't eat you work better and are brighter and faster"

False dichotomy aside, that's not necessarily true. If I try to get through from breakfast to lunch without something to eat I have huge problems concentrating. I'm grumpy and my reaction times are slower, I also come close to fainting. I can't skip meals, I can barely skip the snacks in between meals so fasting would be impossible for me, beyond that is the normal night-time fast.

If a fast were that all round brilliant and easy we'd all be doing it all the time.

As for the comparison with someone hungover or drunk, whether driving or performing surgery, yes these are also worrying. I can worry about several different things at the same time.

Well blueshoes I am Muslim not someone who grew up in a Muslim country and I am now glad people are aware of this fact which could be gleaned quite easily by speaking to, you know, actual Muslims in real life like the surgeon in question rather than posting on MN.

But anyway I don't mind the OP posted here. And I have never said I didn't want people to discuss the situation. I hope now she feels reassured. I asked but she never responded. I don't know why.

But what the 'debate'
Has now turned into is why fasting is bad and wrong. I'm not debating that. I don't want to. I'm not interested in justifying my beliefs and have people jump on me and say 'but but you're wrong fasting is terrible because blah blah'

Blue shoes

Spot on

Tea

Yes yawn indeed for your narrow minded views

Where do you think anyone has asked you to justify your beliefs pyjamas? I haven't seen anyone on this thread show the slightest interest in your personal views. And who do you think has suggested fasting is 'bad and wrong'?

pyjamas you asked whether I felt reassured and honestly (and unfortunately) I do not.

Whilst a number of people have said surgeons often don't fast this one was fasting.

I also don't find the rationale that there could be any other issues that impact on impairment helpful. I don't really care about the reason why he could have been impaired just that the possibility existed.

Oh and I didn't respond because I can't be on MN 24/7. Sometims I actual have to work