Oh God, help me make it through Ramadhan

My throat have been troubling me for a week. It spoilt my short R&R cum "work" early last week.

Upon my return on Wednesday, I immediately paid a visit to my ENT Specialist, Dr Aminuddin Saim the next day.

Dr Aminuddin happen to come from my kampung and his younger brother to my schoolmate and friend, Prof Dato Lokman Saim of UKM.

Both the brothers were the leading doctors in the ground breaking bionic ears operation some 10 years ago. Dr Aminuddin has a practise in Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital and is still dedicated to research and patenting his medical findings.

Now the bad news.

As told by Dr Aminuddin, it seems I've got sleep apnoea and acid reflux problems.

Sleep apneoa explains for the loud snoring in my sleep or even at half sleep, waking up with dry mouth and sore throat, restless sleep, daytime sleepiness, and a series of other symptoms. Read on here if you wish to learn of this problem.

Here is the funny part. I used to kid that Pak Lah should take up Chairmanship in Foundation for Sleep Apnoea. It's Pak Lah's pay back time.

In my last appointment some months back, Dr Aminuddin told me of this possibility. This time around he suggest I start looking up to buy a sleep machine. Not only is my trip and travel cumbersome with my IT paraphenalia for blogging, I have to now worry about carrying a sleep machine.

A new sleep machine in Malaysia is rather pricey. It can fetch up to RM7,000. Heard one can get on e-Bay at as low as RM2,000. If there is someone selling a second hand machine, do leave a message in my commentary box.

For the incessant cough I've been suffering for a week, it looks to be a recurring old gastric related sickness. I had it in my youth as a result of skipping the bad hostel food.

The sporadic cough and sore throat had been around for more than six months to as far back as Hulu Selangor by-election.

Acid reflux or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, commonly referred to as GERD, is a condition in which the liquid content of the stomach regurgitates (backs up or refluxes) into the esophagus. Read here.

In my case, I've got no liquid regurgitating back but more of gas. At times, I feel like puking but hardly any liquid comes out.

The weekend rest and strict adherence to the specialist recomendation helped but not significant enough. It is still discomforting.

And I've got my other issues to worry.

My worry is I've got a major travel plan in two months time. I need to be strong, healthy and fit, not to mention the tall order of being lean as soon as possible.

It is only noon on the first day of Ramadhan and the pain from the repeated cough without medicinal help is quite excrutiating.

Hope I can last the day. And it's only the first day.

Oh God, help me make it through this Ramadhan.

Anyway, to my fellow Muslim reader, happy Ramadhan. May your Ramadhan be a joyful and spiritually fulfilling. The real thing is in Ramadhan and not so much as Syawal.

For those curious non-Muslim, try fasting with us. It is good for you. Start slow and try to catch up. But on one condition.

You are not unhealthy like my condition now.