Why should I take care of my kidney health on a sunny spring day?
Apr 18, 2025
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As the temperature rises, the amount of sweating increases due to the activation of sweat glands, and the large daily temperature difference consumes a lot of energy to maintain body temperature, resulting in loss of moisture. On top of that, if runny nose, cough, and oral breathing due to allergic rhinitis or respiratory diseases overlap, water loss intensifies.
In summer, it is easy to feel thirsty due to the heat, so it is easy to replenish moisture naturally, while in spring, it is relatively easy to neglect water intake
Moisture, which accounts for about 70% of the human body, plays an important role in helping each body organ function. More than 1 liter of water a day is discharged from sweat, urine, and breathing, and these losses must be made up for through food or water.
The amount of water required depends on the individual's health condition, age, amount of activity, and weather, but generally, water intake of body weight (kg) X 30 ml is recommended. Dehydration can occur if adequate water is not consumed for several reasons, which can adversely affect health.
In particular, the height plays an important role in maintaining the balance of moisture and electrolytes in our body and filtering waste, but in dehydration, a greater burden is imposed than usual to maintain the function. If adequate hydration is not achieved, blood volume decreases and blood flow to the kidneys decreases, resulting in a decrease in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which sharply decreases the ability to discharge waste.
When waste products such as creatinine and urea nitrogen accumulate in the body, symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite, and nausea may occur, and swelling may occur in the face, abdomen, and legs due to the accumulation of water in the body.
Influenced by potassium or sodium levels due to electrolyte imbalance, it can lead to hyperkalemia and hypernatremia, which can affect the heart and cause arrhythmia, and over-accumulate salt and moisture, causing high blood pressure to rise continuously, which can lead to a vicious cycle that worsens kidney function.
Long-term blood flow loss can lead to acute renal injury, and if left unattended, it can lead to chronic renal failure, which can even threaten life in severe cases.
In particular, patients with chronic kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to lack of water in spring due to their weak kidney function or ability to control water in the body, requiring careful management.
Lee Ga-hee, director of the Artificial Kidney Center at Daedong Hospital, emphasized, "Spring season is a time when water can be easily lost due to weather changes and increased activities, and caution is needed because water intake may be more neglected than summer when direct heat is felt. "As kidney disease is often learned belatedly because there are no symptoms in the early stages, it is very important to practice preventive rules for kidney health in daily life."
In order to properly replenish moisture, you should drink at least eight cups of water a day. It is better to drink a little more often than to drink a large amount at once, and if you exercise, you lose moisture through sweat, so you should replenish moisture before and during breaks.
In addition to water, it is recommended to consume foods with high moisture content, such as fruits and vegetables, but beverages containing caffeine or alcohol can release more moisture in the body due to diuretic action, so it is recommended to refrain from doing so.
When our body lacks moisture, our mouths and tongues dry up and feel thirsty, and urine volume decreases, urine color darkens, fatigue, dizziness, headache, and nausea may appear. If these symptoms appear, pay attention to water intake, and if the symptoms persist or worsen, make sure to visit a medical institution for diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
