It is important to take good care of your health during Hajj. People usually make mistakes like not drinking enough water and not eating properly, which ends up making them sick and lethargic. So, the pilgrims need to make thoughtful, small decisions regarding their health to avoid any sickness and weakness during the Hajj.
The health tips for Hajj shared today have been time and again recommended by the people who have performed Hajj and by the doctors who have a medical degree and know how the mechanisms of the human body work. These tips will help you maintain a good state of health during Hajj and Umrah. We pray that Allah Almighty might make this holy journey and ritual easy for you and accept your Ibadah. Ameen.
Health Tips for Hajj
Dehydration
Heat is one of the most common problems pilgrims face during Hajj, and it is essential to keep yourself hydrated. There is a common myth regarding this: people feel that if they are not feeling thirsty, they are not hydrated. No, supposedly, if a person has not gone to the toilet for the last 24 hours, they are dehydrated. A 500-ml bottle cannot replace the need for 4 litres; hence, it is very important to keep drinking water.
There is no specified quantity of water recommended by the doctors in this regard, and the barometer here is to drink water unless and until you get a sensation of urinating.
Here, the common issue and misconception that is prevalent is that pilgrims avoid drinking water because they think washrooms will not be available to them, and they will face difficulty later on. It is not so that every year the Saudi government is improving the washroom facility; washrooms are readily available in Mina, and Arafat and are clean. So pilgrims must keep themselves hydrated and keep drinking water.
Patients with cardiac and kidney diseases must visit the doctor before leaving for Hajj and drink water according to the advice of their doctor, as drinking more water is not good for them.
Walking
Walking is crucial during Hajj, and everyone practices this before Hajj in their own capacity. Most people overdo it by keeping themselves busy in Nafal and Tawaf, which makes them tired till the day of Arafat. So it is very important to keep things in moderation and not overdo them. Every year, people have been seen sleeping on the day of Arafat as they are tired, so relatively keep things and take good care of your footwear.
Do use a wheelchair and walking stick if you need them. It is important to understand that a person who is pushing a wheelchair is using their energy. Do not overload the wheelchair by putting extra luggage on it. It makes the wheelchair heavy, and the person pushing it has to push it for many hours on uneven surfaces half of the time. It makes the pushing person tired and unwell. So be sensible and have respect for the person who is pushing the wheelchair.
It is strongly advised for diabetic patients to take good care of their feet, wear comfortable footwear, and avoid walking barefoot, as it can cause damage or injury to their feet. Neuropathy is common in diabetic patients,, and they do not feel any sensation in their feet, which leads to delayed diagnosis and healing of any injury, so it is recommended to keep wearing comfortable shoes.
Skin Care
Foot care is integral for the pilgrims, as they have to walk a lot, so it is recommended to keep Vaseline handy and keep applying it from time to time. For men, anti-rash cream is important as they have to walk a lot in two sheets and the weather is very hot, which makes them sweat, so anti-rash cream is needed.
Keep your regular Medicines
Many people have been witnessed leaving their regular medicines, thinking that, due to the barakah of the holy ritual, they will not get sick and do not need medicine there. It is a sunnah to treat a sickness and use medicine. So if you are diabetic or a patient with hypertension, keep full stock of your medicines and take some extra, as someone on Hajj might require it.
For diabetic and hypertension patients, please take your BP monitor and sugar level check machine with you, Keep checking both things whenever you get time. It is strongly recommended for patients with high blood pressure, diabetes, or any other illness to visit their doctor 15 days before leaving for Hajj. The doctor will take the necessary tests to examine your current health condition and will change or adjust their medicines accordingly.
Keep your insulin in the proper cold container to keep it safe.
Do not Skip a Meal
Never skip a meal, as it will make you weak and lethargic. If you do not feel like eating, keep dates and dry fruit with you in your handbag. These two food items are rich in nutrients and provide instant energy in case of low blood sugar or weakness. Keep yourself hydrated.
Ladies Health
Ladies have their own issues, for which they must visit a gynaecologist before leaving for Hajj to avoid any problems there. Take the medicines prescribed by the doctor on time.
The Saudi and Pakistani governments have health care centres for Pilgrims, and these are easily accessible, so if you get any viral disease, immediately consult a doctor to avoid long-term illness.
