Pilgrims with chronic diseases can perform the rituals easily and smoothly, if they follow the following guidelines:
- Consult your physician before performing the rituals to describe the appropriate treatment which must commit to during the pilgrimage.
- Wear a bracelet around the wrist showing your name, your age and the nature of your illness.
- Ensure carrying a detailed medical report about your condition and the prescribed treatment.
- Bring a sufficient quantity of prescribed drugs and save them in a suitable accessible place.
- If you feel you are not able to complete Hajj, you can do your Saiee and Tawaf in a wheelchair .
- Stop any activity when you feel early signs of fatigue and stress .
- Visit the nearest health center in case of not feeling well even after taking rest and treatment.
- Avoid all bad eating habits that would worsen the case, such as excessive tea and coffee intake, eating fatty foods and smoking.
• Asthma
Asthmatic patients are exposed usually to increased symptoms of asthma, and shortness of breath, for several reasons:
- Being in crowded places, full of dust or contaminated with smoke emitted from cars’ exhausts.
- Stress overload and continuous movement.
- Pneumonia, which may increase due to overcrowding.
- Sudden change in temperature.
Health guidelines for asthmatic patients:
- Check with your doctor to ensure the stability of your condition and your ability to travel.
- Adherence to taking medications regularly, whether tablets or aerosols.
- Take rest frequently and avoid overcrowding in order to avoid asthmatic attacks.
- Check the nearest health center or hospital in case of experience a severe asthmatic attack
Health guidelines for kidney patients (patients with renal failure, poor kidney function and kidney stones) :
- Check your physician to make sure of the feasibility of performing Hajj and continue to take prescribed medications.
- Carry your prescribed drugs and save them in a suitable, accessible place.
- Commitment to take the medications regularly and on time.
- Intake of fluids and salts, as determined by your doctor in advance. Consult your campaign’s doctor or the nearest health center in case of any disorders such as gastroenteritis or urinary tract infections.
- Avoid exposure to hot sun for long periods to prevent loss of fluid and salts from your body.
- Do not eat too much meat, so as not to affect the function of the kidneys.
Health instructions for patients with heart disease and high blood pressure:
- Consult your physician to make sure of the feasibility of performing of Hajj and continue to take prescribed medications.
- Always carry prescribed medications with you and save them in suitable accessible places.
- Regular intake of drugs on time, especially during the performance of rituals that require a great effort in Saiee, Tawaf and throwing stones.
- If you are potentially exposed to angina, you should consult a doctor to carry sublingual nitroglycerine tablets and take it to any place you go.
- Avoid any excessive physical exertion, and use a wheelchair during Saiee and Tawaf when you feel tired.
- Avoid excessive emotions and irritability, and remember that forgiveness is the virtue of Pilgrim.
- Visit the nearest health center or hospital if you have intense chest pain to take the necessary medical attention .
Health advices for diabetics:
Make sure to wear a bracelet or ID card, stating that you are diabetic and type of medication, to provide the necessary assistance to you when needed.
Make sure to carry a detailed medical report about your health.
Inform the person near to you and the campaign’s doctor that you are diabetic.
Take adequate amounts of medication for diabetes.
Ensure transportation and storage of insulin in a cooler place, by putting it in a (Thermos) or (Refrigerator) at the place of your residence.
Carry glucagon injection (after the doctor's recommendation) for use in the event of an inability to eat or loss of consciousness to be given to you by family members or your campaign companions.
Wear comfortable footwear and socks to protect your feet from any sores, avoid walking barefooted.
It is advised to start Saiee or Tawaf after taking your medications and eating enough food to prevent Hypoglycemia ( low level of blood sugar) .
Ensure frequently drinking of adequate quantities of water .
Temporary discontinue performing the rituals , in the case of feeling symptoms of hypoglycemia such as chills, fatigue and dizziness with fatigue, sudden hunger, excessive sweating and blurring in vision .
Use electric shaving machine instead of regular razors, to avoid wounds and infections .
Eat main meals and snacks during traveling and Hajj, to avoid exposure to severe hypoglycemia .
Take some disinfectants for the treatment of skin infections when occur .
Ensure taking blood glucose checking kit ,to check your blood glucose levels daily and regularly , especially when you feel imbalance in blood glucose level .
In case of the presence of complications , such as infections and skin ulcers, you should consult your doctor
Stop temporarily performance of the ritual if you feel symptoms of hypoglycemia , such as extreme tiredness, sudden hunger, blurred vision, or excessive sweating
What is the treatment of hypoglycemia?
If you are conscious or aware of (simple level) it is possible to do the following:
- Take (2-5) glucose tablets (can be purchased from the pharmacy)
- or a glass of sweetened juice such as orange, fruit , Apple
- or eating of (2) tablespoons of raisins
- or (2) teaspoons of honey
- or the amount of two tablespoons of sugar dissolved in a glass of water.
If you were in case of non-response - which means you entered a phase of loss of consciousness, you may need to glucagon injection.
In the event of loss of consciousness, a member of your family, your companion or anyone around you should do the following:
Rapidly inject you with glucagon injection if available in the place where you experienced hypoglycemia.
If glucagon is not available or the patient didn't regain his consciousness within 15-20 minutes after glucagon injection, he must be transferred to the nearest health center or hospital as soon as possible .
It is necessary to carry a card containing instructions to be followed, when you lose consciousness due to hypoglycemia ,and to make sure that your family can do what is necessary .
Epilepsy:
Epileptic patients vary regarding their disease control, some of them could control his illness with drugs, this type can perform Hajj, with God's willing. The other group who are newly diagnosed, or not controlled, it is preferably from the medical aspect for them to delay Hajj until their condition stabilizes.
Health instructions for patients with Epilepsy:
Inform your campaign's doctor about your illness to take the necessary action when required
Bring sufficient quantity from your medications
Avoid exposure to stress and excess emotions
Ask a a relative or friend to always accompany you during the performance of rituals in case of any emergency .