the summer heat puts them to the test. So it is possible to protect them- breaking latest news

The summer season puts a strain on you kidney health. With high temperatures, in fact, we are all more exposed to strain the functioning of these precious organs. Elderly and other fragile categories, such as diabetics, hypertensive and obese, are among those who run the greatest risks.

Even the dry, ventilated heat is deceiving

The heat puts an intense strain on the kidney system, he explains Piergiorgio Messa, director of the complex operational unit of nephrology, dialysis and kidney transplantation of the polyclinic of Milan and president of the Italian Society of Nephrology (Sin). Due to the loss of fluids and minerals through sweating the kidneys work harder to retain fluids in our body, with double fatigue because the dilation of blood vessels caused by ambient heat it can reduce blood pressure by bringing less blood, and therefore less oxygen to the kidneys. The relief of the sea breeze, or the pleasant sensation of coolness perceived in a boat or at the lake, should not deceive us. The dry and windy heat warns Mass it evaporates sweat and makes us drink less. But we actually disperse more liquids than where it is humid. The droplets of sweat if removed promote further secretions of the sweat glands.

Risk factors

Two other risk factors for renal deterioration are climate change, due to global warming, and rapid temperature changes, which exacerbate the overworking of the kidneys. So much so that, the doctor informs, today we are talking about one new type of nephropathy caused by heat stress. Those who already suffer from chronic kidney disease pay more the price of the summer. It can undergo aggravations if it does not compensate for the loss of liquids and salts and does not protect itself from the sun’s rays, reminds the expert. People prone to urinary stones are also affected: the increased loss of water with sweating forces the kidneys to eliminate less fluids by producing urine more concentrated and favoring the aggregation of mineral salts, which looks like grains of sand or real pebbles, the calculations.

The alarm bells

Chronic kidney disease in Italy, characterized by a persistent condition of reduced function of these organs, cthey affect about 7-10 percent of the population. There are almost 4.5 million patients in the most severe stage, of which 50 thousand are on dialysis and the same number with kidney transplants. Often in the initial stage asymptomatic kidney disease. Possible alarm bells are: increased blood pressure, frequent urination especially at night, swelling of the legs, ankles and face and change in the color of the urine (too dark or too light).

The advices

1) Give preference to the daily consumption of fruit, vegetables and legumes because they contain large quantities of water and mineral salts, which especially in summer become very useful for replenishing the liquids lost through sweating. 2) Increase your daily water intake: at least 1.5 liters per day, more in case of profuse sweating or exposure to hot and windy climates. Except for contraindications for those with kidney disease or other organ diseases to be evaluated with the doctor. 3) L.imitate the consumption of foods rich in proteins of animal origin (meat, eggs, cured meats, cheeses, dairy products; fish consumption remains free, limiting only crustaceans) which require the kidneys an overload of work to eliminate them. 4) Reduce your alcohol consumption because by increasing the dilation of blood vessels it lowers blood pressure and consequently decreases the amount of blood that reaches the kidneys, making them difficult. 5) Avoid exposing yourself to the sun during the hottest hours especially for people with chronic kidney disease. Exposure to excessive heat is also a risk factor for the development of these diseases. 6) In particular people taking immunosuppressive drugs they must be careful and apply high skin protection to prevent the risk of skin cancer caused by ultraviolet rays. 7) Continue to do regular physical activity, mainly of the aerobic type, provided it is carried out in the coolest hours of the day (early in the morning, late afternoon or evening). 8) Check blood pressure values ​​more frequently. If too high (higher than 140/85 mmHg) or too low (lower than 100/60 mmHg) consult your doctor to evaluate the possible modification of the therapy. 9) No DIY prescriptions, also for painkillers: drugs taken without control (or a real need) can cause toxicity to the kidneys and even seriously alter their functioning. 10) Use the air conditioning in moderation, avoid cooling the rooms too much The ideal temperature should be at most 4-5 degrees lower than that of the external environment.