The FastDay Forum

Ok, I'm not sure if this is because of fasting, and sorry if this is tmi, but twice now on the day after a fast, I have gotten sick after taking long, steamy showers. The first time I'd had a big,greasy meal, but the second time I'd only had a bowl of noodle soup. I keep myself well hydrated on my fast days, and there is no chance I'm pregnant. Also, there was over a week between the incidents, so I don't think it could be food poisoning.

Has this happened to anyone else? Could this be due to fasting?

[Moogie]

I've certainly never experienced this nor heard of anyone else who has. However, the first thing that comes to mind is maybe something to do with blood pressure? My ex had low blood pressure and used to often feel lightheaded/queasy after a hot steamy shower. If fasting has an effect on blood pressure, could it be something like this?

Do you feel lightheaded with it as well or have any other symptoms?
How many fasts have you done so far? - have you had a steamy shower after other fasts and not been sick?

Hmm, low blood pressure could be the cause. I did feel queasy and lightheaded at the time. I usually take long, hot showers (like 15-20 min) so this seemed very strange...I have been queasy after taking a bath, but that's usually after a half hour or so.

I wonder if my blood pressure drops due to fasting -- I eat out a lot on feed days, but cook everything myself on fast days (or just eat raw veggies and fruit) and don't really add much salt when I cook.

I'm on my ninth fast today. The only times I've been sick after a shower or felt any symptoms were those two times. Maybe I'll have a cup of miso instead of tea this evening, and see how I feel tomorrow.

Thanks for your help, Moogie!

[Moogie]

No problem Hopefully some more medically minded types will be able to advise about the possible blood pressure issue

Good to know it's not happening every time. It's probably a good idea to keep a note of what you eat each fast and what you eat the next day so you can look for a trend when it comes to the sickness.

Fasting would not cause you to vomit.

If you are vomiting up food, you are not fasting anyway.

Rufus, it's the day after a fast, so on a feed day.

Fasting would not cause you to vomit.

If you are vomiting up food, you are not fasting anyway.

She didn't specifically say she was vomiting food. And it is entirely possible to vomit even when your stomach is empty of food, you get the yellowy bile stuff, or phlegm, or spittle, or water if you have only been ingesting fluids.


Steamy shower is good for opening airways and vessels. If you have a cold, sitting over a steamy bowl of water helps clear the stuffiness and blockages. And most people in general find a hot steamy shower relaxing, thus can also lower the blood pressure.

So all of it combined, low blood sugar due to the fast, your body relaxing from the shower, and your natural low blood pressure, just your bodies way of saying it's unhappy. It's not in any danger, it's just perceiving a potential danger, so the vomit/gag reflex gets triggered to raise the blood pressure.

I assume you are having your shower first thing in the morning, perhaps try having a drink or something small to eat about 10 minutes before you go shower. So your body knows there is sustenance on the way, and keep your stomach busy while you enjoy your shower.

High blood pressure causes the exact same. My dad has high blood pressure and he cannot face steam. He feels dizzy and nauseated.

[carorees]

Fasting can lower blood pressure. In the morning when blood volume is likely to be low, combined with the heat of the shower opening the blood vessels and giving the blood more space to fill could easily result in a dip in blood pressure. Low blood sugar might combine with this to create nausea. I would make sure I had drunk a reasonable amount before showering and have something salty on fast days. However, it's important to get the resting blood pressure checked because you don't want to be having salty drinks if the pressure is high. ...it's always worth getting bp checked out!

Thanks everyone. Luckily have not had this happen again, and I've incorporated salt on the fast days.

I will get my blood pressure checked though; I think it's been a year since I last did.