Before reading this article, we sincerely invite you to click “Follow,” which not only makes it convenient for you to discuss and share, but also provides you with more professional health knowledge to escort your health. Thank you for your support.
When the sun hangs high in the sky, and the temperature keeps rising continuously, have you ever thought about what this kind of weather might mean for people with kidney diseases?
It’s not just a challenge of heat waves but also an extra consideration for daily dietary choices. In such hot weather, people with kidney issues may encounter specific physical symptoms. Does this make you curious?
First of all, let’s talk about the importance of the kidneys. The kidneys are not just an organ in our body; they are responsible for filtering waste and excess water from the blood, helping to maintain electrolyte balance, regulate blood pressure, and are also one of the essential endocrine organs in our body.
Imagine in the scorching summer, if your kidney function is not good, these finely controlled tasks become more challenging. In hot weather, kidney disease patients may experience a series of discomforts, such as edema.
Friendly reminder: Due to the length of this article, there may be an “ad unlocking mode.” Fortunately, according to the new platform policy, ad unlocking is free, and everyone can continue reading after viewing it. Thank you to all the readers and the platform.
This is not only because their kidney drainage function is impaired, but also because high temperatures may cause the body to retain more water to reduce body temperature, which is a double blow to those with impaired kidney function. A healthy body regulates body temperature by sweating, but for kidney disease patients, their water and electrolyte metabolism has already been affected, and their temperature regulation function may not be as good as normal individuals.
This may make them more prone to heatstroke symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, or even fainting in high temperatures. If these symptoms are not addressed promptly, there may be a risk to life. Besides, let’s also look at the cardiovascular pressure.
However, for people with impaired kidney function, their hearts may already be under stress due to dealing with various metabolic issues caused by kidney disease. Under high-temperature conditions, this additional burden can increase the risk of cardiovascular events, such as angina or heart attacks. These are some of the challenges that hot weather may bring to kidney disease patients. It is crucial for kidney disease patients or their families to understand this information.
In this way, during the hot summer days, we can take better preventive measures, such as adjusting indoor temperatures appropriately, ensuring adequate but not excessive water intake, monitoring internal water and electrolyte balance, seeking timely advice from doctors. These are essential means to help kidney disease patients safely get through the summer.
When it comes to dietary restrictions for people with kidney diseases, the vegetables and fruits to avoid, you may first think of those high in potassium or phosphorus.
First, you may have heard that kidney disease patients should limit their intake of tomatoes because they are high in potassium. But besides the high potassium content, tomatoes also contain abundant oxalic acid, which may be a problem for patients with kidney stones.
Oxalic acid can combine with calcium in the body to form stones, especially in cases of impaired kidney function, these stones are more likely to form. Imagine, if your kidneys are already damaged, the addition of oxalic acid increases the risk of stone formation significantly. Not only does this increase the burden on the kidneys, but it can also lead to pain or even more severe complications.
Next, let’s talk about spinach. This vegetable, praised by many as a “nutrition supermarket,” is a healthy choice for the general population, but it is more complicated for kidney disease patients.
Spinach has a very high oxalic acid content, like tomatoes, excessive consumption can increase the risk of kidney stones. Moreover, spinach also contains a significant amount of potassium, which is indeed a food that needs to be handled with caution for kidney disease patients who need to control blood potassium levels.
Proper treatment and avoidance of high potassium in spinach, such as prolonged soaking and boiling, may pose a greater risk to people with impaired kidney function.
When it comes to fruits, cherries may be a surprising topic. Although cherries are considered superfoods for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, the high potassium content in cherries may be a problem for kidney disease patients. While cherries have many benefits, excessive consumption may pose a risk to those with impaired potassium ion metabolism.
Additionally, mangoes, a tropical fruit that is delicious and tempting, but its high sugar content is a hidden danger for patients who may have both diabetes and kidney disease.
Patients with kidney diseases often have pancreatic functioning issues, high sugar intake can aggravate the burden on the pancreas, affect blood sugar control, and may worsen kidney disease. For patients with high sugar levels, mangoes containing high sugar content should be particularly noted. Lastly, strawberries, a favorite fruit for many, also have a relatively high oxalic acid content.
For kidney disease patients who are prone to forming calcium oxalate stones, while strawberries have many benefits such as being rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, excessive consumption may also increase the risk of kidney stone formation.
These specific food choices, while possibly a good source of nutrition for the general population, may pose a risk to those with kidney diseases. Understanding the principles behind these foods can help kidney disease patients or their families make wiser dietary choices. In dealing with kidney disease, every small detail may have a significant impact on the quality of life for patients.
First, maintaining adequate hydration is generally beneficial for health, but for people with impaired kidney function, water intake needs to be especially careful.
Kidney disease patients should adjust their fluid intake according to their doctor’s advice to prevent edema and increased cardiac burden. This is not just about the quantity of water consumed but also about when and how fluids are taken in. Secondly, about exercise, we know that moderate exercise helps maintain physical health, but for kidney disease patients, choosing the right type and intensity of exercise is crucial.
Aerobic exercises such as walking or swimming can help improve their cardiovascular health and gently stimulate kidney function without causing excessive stress. Especially, avoid high-intensity activities, as they may put excessive pressure on the kidneys and worsen the condition.
Patients with kidney diseases should strictly follow their doctor’s guidance when taking any medication, including non-prescription drugs and common pain relievers such as ibuprofen. Ensuring that all medications are necessary and used within a safe range is crucial.
Finally, we have to mention the maintenance of mental health. Kidney disease may bring psychological stress and anxiety to patients, which may, in turn, affect the progression of the disease and treatment outcomes.
Seeking appropriate psychological support, whether through professional counseling or joining patient support groups, is an essential aspect of helping patients cope with the challenges of the disease. Learning relaxation and stress management techniques, such as mindfulness meditation or simple breathing exercises, can also play a positive role in daily life.
Through these adjustments in lifestyle and considerations, kidney disease patients can better manage their condition, reduce the rate of disease progression, and improve their quality of life.
