Yesterday, a senior citizen called me for a teleconsultation and with a simple but anxious question. “Doctor sahib, I am having pain in my calf muscles during the day while fasting. I used to smoke earlier. Should I be worried?” His voice carried what many elders carry in Ramzan, not just a symptom, but uncertainty.

Ramzan is a spiritually uplifting time. Many seniors fast with deep devotion and emotional strength. But the ageing body has its own physiology. What was easy at forty may need caution at seventy. The key is not to discourage fasting where it is safe, but to recognise when the body is sending signals that need attention.

Calf muscle pain during fasting is common in seniors, especially during long fasting hours. In many cases, the cause is simple: dehydration. During the fast, fluid intake is restricted, and in older adults the sensation of thirst is already blunted. As the day progresses, muscles may become relatively dehydrated, leading to cramps, tightness, or aching in the calves.

Electrolyte imbalance is another frequent contributor. Low potassium, magnesium, or sodium levels, especially when sehri is nutritionally weak, can trigger daytime muscle discomfort. Seniors who take diuretics for blood pressure or heart conditions are particularly vulnerable.

Not every calf pain should be........

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