Beat the Heat: How High Temperatures Affect Kidney Function
In recent years, British Columbia and even the Yukon have seen an increase in summer temperatures. While this can mean more fun beach days and outdoor adventures, too much exposure to heat can take a toll on people’s health. Heat and dehydration can strain the kidneys, and so it’s important that people with existing kidney health complications take extra precautions during the hot summer months.
How does heat affect the kidneys?
Dehydration and kidney strain
High temperatures can lead to increased sweating, potentially causing dehydration. Dehydration reduces blood flow to the kidneys, making them work harder to maintain proper function. For individuals with kidney issues, this added stress can exacerbate existing problems.
Increased blood pressure
Heat can contribute to elevated blood pressure levels, putting additional strain on the kidneys. Individuals with hypertension or pre-existing kidney problems may be more susceptible to the negative effects of increased blood pressure.
Impact on medication effectiveness
Some medications commonly prescribed for kidney-related conditions, such as diuretics, can affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature and fluid balance. Exposure to high temperatures may influence the effectiveness of these medications, meaning special care should be taken to maintain the right fluid levels.
Tips for protecting your kidneys from the heat
Stay hydrated
Dehydration can be avoided by drinking plenty of water throughout the day, and avoiding excessive consumption of caffeinated or sugary beverages. However, some people living with kidney disease must follow fluid restrictions, which can make it more challenging to stay adequately hydrated in the summer months.
Limit outdoor activities during peak heat
Plan activities for early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler. Avoid strenuous activities during the peak of the day to reduce the risk of dehydration and heat-related stress on kidneys.
Protect your skin
Sun protection is vital for everyone, which can be done by limiting overall sun exposure, using sunscreen with a high SPF, and wearing clothing that provides additional sun protection, such as wide-brimmed hats. Avoiding excessive sun exposure is especially important for transplant recipients taking certain medications that make them more susceptible to skin complications.
Seek shade and stay cool
Use cooling methods such as fans, air conditioning, or cold compresses to regulate body temperature. Folks who do not have air conditioners at home could go to cooler, public place like malls during peak heat hours. Frozen snacks are also a tasty option to help cool off, and sucking on ice chips may be a good choice for people following fluid restrictions.
Staying hydrated
One of the best ways to beat the heat and maintain optimal kidney health in the summer months is to stay hydrated. When people become dehydrated, the kidneys must work harder to filter blood, putting additional strain on them.
“Staying hydrated in really hot weather is super important for everyone, but that’s magnified in people who have kidney disease,” explains Mike Bevilacqua, a nephologist based in Surrey, BC.
He points out that many people living with kidney disease are hit with a “double whammy” when it comes to hydration, because some of the most effective medications to support optimal kidney health – such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and SGLT2 inhibitors – can make the kidneys even more sensitive to dehydration. Nevertheless, Dr. Bevilacqua emphasizes that these medications are still very beneficial for kidney health and should be continued throughout the summer months – it just means that people on these medications should take extra care to ensure they stay hydrated.
For many people with mild to moderate kidney disease, staying adequately hydrated may be as simple as drinking plenty of water, avoiding peak heat hours, and using fans, cold compresses, etc. However, staying hydrated may be more challenging for people who have fluid restrictions, which includes many people affected by kidney disease who on are dialysis or who have heart failure.
As Dr. Bevilacqua points out, the heat can cause people to sweat more, and in some cases people on fluid restriction may need to increase their fluid intake to counterbalance this loss.
“So walking that balance is really important,” he says. “As a general rule, if someone is in that situation, they should talk to their kidney team about whether they should be adjusting this fluid restriction based on the heat.”
This article is republished from the Kidney Magazine.
