“Protect your kidneys in the heat”…cut potassium intake and drink an appropriate amount of water
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St. Peter's Hospital 26-07-21 06:00Main content
Summer is a season when the risk of kidney disease from extreme heat and dehydration rises. For patients with chronic kidney disease in particular, summer is also a time to be even more careful about managing kidney health.
Lee Ji-yeon, Chief of Nephrology at St. Peter's Hospital, explained, “In people with chronic kidney disease, seasonal risk factors overlap in complex ways, so the risk of declining kidney function in summer is also more likely to increase.”
The kidneys are a key organ that keeps the body's internal environment stable. Their main role is to filter waste products out of the body and cleanse the blood through millions of glomeruli made up of tiny capillaries. In doing so they maintain fluid and electrolyte balance and regulate hormones, preserving the body's homeostasis. If kidney function declines continuously for three months or more, or damage is confirmed, a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease is made.
Chronic kidney disease affects one in every seven or eight people in Korea, and its prevalence is rising worldwide as populations age. It is divided by the degree of loss of kidney function, from stage 1, close to normal, to stage 5, at which dialysis must be considered, and the higher the stage, the more likely it is to be accompanied by complications such as cardiovascular disease.
The problem is that most patients have no noticeable symptoms in the early stages even as kidney function declines. It is important to detect the disease quickly at an early stage and to prevent it from worsening through consistent management.
A summer heatwave in itself places a burden on the kidneys of patients with chronic kidney disease, because it can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
Summer fruits high in potassium, such as Korean melon, watermelon and bananas, place a burden on the kidneys and carry a risk of causing hyperkalemia, so the amount eaten must be controlled. The habit of consuming juice and sports drinks to excess should also be avoided. Excessive salt intake above 5 g a day and caffeinated or alcoholic drinks are likewise best avoided.
Appropriate fluid intake based on kidney function and disease status is also important. In patients with chronic kidney disease, excessive fluid intake can in fact place a strain on the kidneys. Rather than drinking a large amount of water at once, it is recommended to drink it in several servings spaced over time.
If abnormal signs appear, such as continuing dehydration, changes in urine volume or color, or extreme fatigue, they should not be dismissed as simply the effects of the heat; it is advisable to consult a specialist.
Lee Ji-yeon, Chief of Nephrology at St. Peter's Hospital, explained, “In people with chronic kidney disease, seasonal risk factors overlap in complex ways, so the risk of declining kidney function in summer is also more likely to increase.”
The kidneys are a key organ that keeps the body's internal environment stable. Their main role is to filter waste products out of the body and cleanse the blood through millions of glomeruli made up of tiny capillaries. In doing so they maintain fluid and electrolyte balance and regulate hormones, preserving the body's homeostasis. If kidney function declines continuously for three months or more, or damage is confirmed, a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease is made.
Chronic kidney disease affects one in every seven or eight people in Korea, and its prevalence is rising worldwide as populations age. It is divided by the degree of loss of kidney function, from stage 1, close to normal, to stage 5, at which dialysis must be considered, and the higher the stage, the more likely it is to be accompanied by complications such as cardiovascular disease.
The problem is that most patients have no noticeable symptoms in the early stages even as kidney function declines. It is important to detect the disease quickly at an early stage and to prevent it from worsening through consistent management.
A summer heatwave in itself places a burden on the kidneys of patients with chronic kidney disease, because it can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
Summer fruits high in potassium, such as Korean melon, watermelon and bananas, place a burden on the kidneys and carry a risk of causing hyperkalemia, so the amount eaten must be controlled. The habit of consuming juice and sports drinks to excess should also be avoided. Excessive salt intake above 5 g a day and caffeinated or alcoholic drinks are likewise best avoided.
Appropriate fluid intake based on kidney function and disease status is also important. In patients with chronic kidney disease, excessive fluid intake can in fact place a strain on the kidneys. Rather than drinking a large amount of water at once, it is recommended to drink it in several servings spaced over time.
If abnormal signs appear, such as continuing dehydration, changes in urine volume or color, or extreme fatigue, they should not be dismissed as simply the effects of the heat; it is advisable to consult a specialist.