Kidney Failure Risk Warning for Summer Months

"High air temperatures increase fluid loss, which can harm your kidney health," said Prof. Dr. Gürsel Yıldız, Nephrologist at Istanbul Okan University Hospital, offering important recommendations. Our kidneys, besides filtering blood, perform very important functions such as ensuring blood production, maintaining fluid-electrolyte balance and regulating blood pressure. Approximately 1.2 litres of blood passes through our kidneys per minute. In other words, one-fifth of the blood pumped by the heart passes through the kidneys, and approximately 150-180 litres of fluid are filtered in the kidneys daily, of which 1.5 litres is excreted as urine. Additionally, through perspiration and respiration, we lose approximately 0.5-1 litre of fluid that we do not feel. When we account for these as well, we lose an average of 2-2.5 litres of fluid daily together with urine. For this reason, we should consume at least this amount of fluid daily.  

Do Not Forget to Drink Plenty of Water

In summer months, especially during hot weather, the increase in imperceptible fluid loss due to increased perspiration poses a serious threat, particularly for elderly people who have difficulty adapting to such harsh conditions, those with kidney disease or kidney transplant recipients. In these patients, dehydration of the kidneys is very risky and can lead to kidney failure. People over 60 years of age and kidney patients, who are very sensitive to fluid loss that can occur in hot weather, must be very careful about protecting themselves from excessive heat in summer months and ensuring adequate fluid intake. During summer months, sufficient fluid should be consumed to compensate for the increased fluid deficit. In addition, excessive consumption of tea due to its diuretic properties and consumption of sugary drinks such as cola, which would increase fluid deficit, are not appropriate.