LAHORE:
Hospitals across Punjab are bracing for an expected load of patients suffering from stomach ailments, hypertension, food poisoning and heart complications linked to excessive consumption of sacrificial meat on Eidul Azha.
According to doctors, the provincial capital witnesses a recurring health pattern every year after Eid prayers when families start consuming large quantities of beef and mutton during the day without dietary balance or proper cooking measures.
They said hospitals were in a hurry to finalize arrangements to deal with patients with binge eating during the Eid days.
People organize parties to enjoy meat together during the holidays.
According to hospital administrations, emergency rooms often receive patients complaining of severe acidity, abdominal pain, vomiting, dehydration, gallbladder problems and high blood pressure caused by continued overeating in Eid gatherings.
Health specialists warn that the problem is not the meat itself, but the unhealthy way it is consumed. Heavy breakfasts of fried liver, late-night barbecues, oily curries and repeated meat-based meals put unusual pressure on the digestive system.
Chief physician Dr. Amjad Mahmood said that Lahore’s hospitals record an increase in stomach and heart emergencies every year during the Eid season.
“People suddenly switch from routine eating habits to non-stop meat consumption for three consecutive days. Many individuals consume barbecue, karahi, pulao, fried liver and soft drinks together in large quantities. This creates severe digestive stress and can become dangerous for heart patients, diabetics and senior citizens,” he explained.
According to doctors, several cases recorded during previous Eidul Azha holidays involved patients who arrived at emergency departments with chest pains that later turned out to be serious stomach complications triggered by overeating. Others got food poisoning from improperly stored meat that was exposed to heat for long periods of time. Doctors in Lahore say patients with high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, kidney disease, liver disease, ulcers and cholesterol problems should exercise extreme caution. In particular, they discouraged such patients from consuming excessive fatty barbecue, brain curry, kidney dishes, and fatty meats.
Nutrition consultant Dr. Sara Khalid warned that unchecked Eid eating habits are silently harming public health.
“Every year we see people treating Eid as a license for unlimited eating. The digestive system cannot process heavy protein and fat continuously without consequences. Overeating often results in bloating, constipation, severe acidity, disturbed blood sugar levels and in some cases serious heart complications,” she said.
She added that many citizens ignore water intake while consuming salty and spicy meat dishes during the day, increasing the risk of dehydration and kidney stress in hot weather conditions in Lahore.
