Fasting is typically safe for healthy people, however it can be dangerous for patients with GI problems and may raise the risk of complications in this population. During Ramadan, considerably fewer individuals required surgery for acute appendicitis, according to the researchers. The reason for this improvement is not clear. It could be related to changes in dietary habits or increased compliance with medical treatment during this period. Full-time fasting has been shown to be associated with a reduced rate of surgical intervention for acute appendicitis. However, this benefit must be weighed against the potential adverse effects of withholding food and drink from an individual. Personal decisions about fasting should be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the patient's health and the timing of the month-long ritual. The study authors concluded that fasts may reduce the need for surgery by altering the clinical course of acute appendicitis or its treatment. But they also noted that this study did not examine factors other than fasting that might have affected the rates of surgery for appendicitis -- for example, changes in physician practice patterns resulting from religious beliefs or differences in the make-up of populations across countries where Muslims constitute a significant percentage of the population. Patients who are considering skipping meals to show respect for God or to feel like they are sharing in the suffering of Christ should be aware that this may affect their overall health.