How can chronic kidney ailment patients safeguard against changing seasons and fluctuating temperatures?
How can chronic kidney ailment patients safeguard against changing seasons and fluctuating temperatures?
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients need to safeguard against changing seasons and fluctuating temperatures due to several critical reasons. Impaired kidney function in CKD patients affects their ability to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance, making it harder to adapt to temperature changes. In hot weather, they are at higher risk of dehydration as their kidneys cannot conserve water effectively, while cold weather can reduce the sensation of thirst, leading to inadequate fluid intake.
Additionally, temperature changes can cause blood pressure fluctuations, with cold weather causing increased blood pressure, and hot weather leading to low blood pressure, both of which can stress the cardiovascular system. CKD patients often have comorbid cardiovascular conditions, and temperature extremes can exacerbate these issues. Furthermore, CKD weakens the immune system, making patients more susceptible to infections, which can be more prevalent during certain seasons.
Medications taken by CKD patients can also affect fluid and electrolyte balance, further complicating the body's response to temperature changes.
Therefore, careful management of environmental exposure and proactive health measures are essential for CKD patients to avoid complications related to seasonal and temperature fluctuations.
Here are some tips to safeguard their health to avoid complications and maintain overall well-being.
1) Hydration: Stay hydrated but monitor fluid intake. Increased sweating can lead to fluid loss which can lead to dehydration, but monitor your fluid intake to prevent dehydration and avoid over hydration as excessive intake can lead to state of fluid overload.
2) Fluctuating temperatures can affect blood pressure. Regularly monitor your blood pressure and follow your doctor's advice to keep it within the range.
3) Avoid high-potassium summer fruits like muskmelon, watermelon and include hydrating and kidney-friendly fruits like berries and apples in your diet.
4) Stay Active: Engage in indoor exercises like yoga, stretching, or using exercise equipment to maintain physical activity without exposure to cold and exercise during cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or evening, to avoid heat stress.
5) Avoid sun exposure as much as possible and use non-comedogenic moisturizers to prevent dryness from sun exposure and air conditioning.
6) Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are at an increased risk of heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses due to their impaired ability to regulate fluids and electrolytes. Therefore, one must be aware of the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, including excessive sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, headache, and confusion.
7) Keep other conditions like diabetes and hypertension under control, as they can significantly impact kidney health.
8) Schedule regular check-ups with your nephrologist to monitor kidney function and adjust treatment plans as needed.
(Dr Yogesh Kumar Chabbra, Principal Consultant, Nephrology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh)
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