Colder weather can make you shiver, and if you have chronic kidney disease (CKD), are on dialysis, or have had a transplant, it may mean you have to take some extra care with your health too.
Here’s our expert guide on how to protect yourself and stay well when temperatures drop.
How cold weather can affect your kidneys
Cold weather can affect your kidneys in several ways.
- Cold weather raises blood pressure
Research has shown that heart attacks are twice as likely to happen during cold spells lasting more three days, for example in people aged 60 or over. The risk of ischaemic stroke (where a blockage cuts off blood supply to the brain) also increases with colder temperatures. This is because cold weather causes blood vessels to contract and raises your blood pressure. This puts extra strain on your heart and circulatory system, which also affects your kidneys, reducing blood flow and how well they work. - Cold weather makes you more vulnerable to infections
Cold temperatures can cause a decrease in the body’s immune function and lead to you being more likely to develop colds and other respiratory infections. - Cold weather causes an increased risk of acute kidney injury
A Japanese study of just under a million deaths over 41 years found a clear link between lower temperatures and deaths from kidney disease. - People living with CKD feel the cold more than others
People with CKD often feel the cold more as many have anaemia due to low iron levels.
Protect yourself from the cold when you are living with CKD
Look after yourself during the colder months with our simple tips to keep you warm, safe, and well.
Stay up to date with your vaccinations
Living with kidney disease means you are more at risk of serious complications from flu, as well as pneumonia and Covid-19.
It’s important to speak to your GP and book your free vaccinations, including the annual flu jab and the one-off pneumococcal vaccination, if you have CKD, are on dialysis, or have a kidney transplant. Vaccinations against Covid-19 are also advised; talk to your doctor if you are 50 and over and on immunosuppressant drugs about eligibility for the shingles vaccine.
Almost half of people with CKD didn’t get the flu vaccination last year, yet immunisation can save lives. “We strongly recommend vaccination, particularly for transplant patients, those not yet on dialysis, or on immunosuppressant drugs,” says Dr Andy Stein, consultant nephrologist at University Hospital, Coventry. “If you get Covid-19 or a similar disease it can be very serious.”
Information about Covid-19 vaccinations for kidney patients is available on our Covid-19 advice hub.
Wrap up warmer
A feeling of intense cold, whatever the weather, is common for people affected by kidney disease.
- When you’re at home, try to keep the room where you spend most of your time heated to at least 18°C and wear lots of thin layers to trap the heat and keep you warm.
- Choose wool, cotton and fleece fabrics and wear socks and slippers indoors.
- Hot water bottles and heat pads or gloves may also help.
- When you go out, layer up and wear thick socks and a warm hat.
Stay well hydrated
You can become dehydrated in cold weather as well as hot weather, and this can lead to electrolyte (salt) imbalances and cause acute kidney injury, so it’s important to drink enough.
Women should aim to drink eight 200ml glasses of fluid a day and men ten 200ml glasses daily. If you have been advised to follow a fluid restriction, speak to your kidney team for personalised advice.
Take particular care to rehydrate after a bout of illness such as vomiting and diarrhoea.
Make the most of your heating
Colder, darker nights can mean bigger heating bills, but when it comes to keeping your home warm it’s about working smarter, not harder.
- You are probably already doing all that you can to keep costs down, but simple tips like closing doors, sealing draughts, and turning off radiators in rooms you don’t use as much will help keep your home at a stable temperature.
- Ensuring radiators aren’t blocked by furniture (and not drying clothes on them) will allow the heat to circulate better and ensure you make the most of your heating.
- Smart controls or timers can help you to heat your home without wasting energy.
Be prepared for cold snaps
People with CKD on immunosuppressants are at higher risk of osteoporosis (fragile bones) so need to take extra care to avoid trips and slips. Dr Andy Stein, consultant nephrologist at University Hospital, Coventry, explains, “If you fall you may be more likely to break a bone if you are taking steroids such as prednisolone.”
Check to see if your local pharmacy will deliver medications to your home. Put in your repeat prescriptions in plenty of time and get food and medicines delivered so you don’t have to go out if the ground is icy.
In cold, wet weather, try to keep your medicine cabinet stocked with over-the-counter medicines (like paracetamol) to help relieve the symptoms of winter colds, sinusitis, and earache. Don’t forget that some common medications, like ibuprofen, are not suitable for people living with CKD. Speak to your pharmacist for advice.
Ask family, friends and neighbours for help and check with your GP, practice nurse or local councillor about voluntary groups that will offer support if you are stuck.
Dr Stein says: “Particularly for older patients, coming to hospital can be a nightmare in cold weather, from arranging transport to expensive parking to the risk of tripping and falling, and waiting around for hours. If you can get an online appointment, it’s much safer.” Libraries often run free digital literacy sessions if you’d like some free one-to-one guidance about booking digital consultations with your medical team.
It’s important you don’t miss dialysis appointments so talk to your kidney team about how to get in touch with the unit and arrange emergency transport in the event of road closures.
Take care of yourself
Itchy skin is a common symptom of CKD and it gets worse in extreme temperatures of cold and heat.
Moisturise your skin daily and try to use soap-free cleaning products. Vaseline and products containing glycerine or urea cream are particularly effective moisturisers. There’s no need to spend big – luxury names aren’t necessarily better than own-brand products.
Speak to your pharmacist for advice and remember to ensure that prescriptions are ordered and collected well before any Bank Holidays during festive periods.
It’s important to eat well when you have CKD. Our Kidney Kitchen recipes are specially developed for kidney patients, so you can be sure that you’ll be preparing food that’s nutritious and safe for you to eat (as well as delicious!). Look through a selection of warming wintery dishes on our website.
- Plan your meals, a week at a time.
- Batch cook twice the amount and freeze the second batch to eat at another time.
- If you cannot shop for, prepare, or cook a meal yourself, then the council may be able to help you by delivering ready meals to your home. There are also private companies who can supply meals. Talk to a kidney dietitian who may be able to advise you on the best type of ready meals.
Exercise helps to keep your body healthy and strong and potentially slow the progression of CKD.
When you’re living with kidney disease, staying active also helps give you extra energy to move around, carry out your daily tasks and enjoy your leisure time.
Other benefits may include improved cardiovascular health including controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, improved mood and sleep, healthier bones and muscles and an increase in dialysis efficiency.
Talk to your kidney team about what activities are safe for you to do. Exercise doesn’t have to cost money, but it is important to choose an activity that you enjoy doing as you are more likely to stick with it.
Long-term conditions like CKD can affect different areas of your life as well as your health. Winter can be a time of isolation if you can’t get out and about as much and your mood may slump in the darker evenings.
Building emotional resilience is about coping with your problems and finding a way to continue to live well, even when under considerable stress.
Talking therapies could help – contact your GP practice for advice and support. Kidney Care UK offers free counselling for kidney patients. Call our support line on 0808 801 00 00 (Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm) or send us an email at [email protected] to find out more.
If you’ve been too unwell to work, you might feel unsure about what financial help is available to you.
At Kidney Care UK we often hear from people who don’t realise they are entitled to certain assistance, such as the winter fuel payments or the big energy companies’ trusts and funds to support customers in financial difficulty. Check out our Cost of Living hub for more information.
If you are struggling with the relentlessness of kidney disease, knowing that your utilities are not going to be cut off makes a huge difference. Look at the advice on our website, use our Benefits Calculator and get in touch with us for money and energy advice.
If you are struggling with soaring energy bills, your provider needs to know you have medical problems. They have a duty to help vulnerable customers, and you may be entitled to reduced tariffs or other help.
You should also tell your power suppliers that you have CKD so they can add you to the Priority Services Register (PSR). Power cuts are not a regular occurrence but when they happen, they can be a real worry, especially if you do your dialysis at home. If your power does get cut off, call 105 to report it and get the latest updates for your area. If you are on the PSR, getting your power back on will be a priority.