With wintery weather now affecting most of the UK and another cold snap due soon, it's really important that people with kidney disease know the best ways to keep themselves warm and well.
Many people who have kidney failure also have anaemia so they will feel the cold so much more than someone who doesn’t have these conditions.
Winter conditions can be bad for our health, especially for people aged 65 or older, and people with long-term conditions such as kidney disease. Being cold can raise the risk of increased blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes which can all have an impact on our kidneys. The cold and damp weather, ice, snow and high winds can all aggravate any existing health problems, increase the risk of a fall, and make us more vulnerable to respiratory winter illnesses.
How to stay well this winter if you have kidney disease
We’ve been working with the NHS to ensure that every unit in England has information about how to stay well if you have kidney disease.
This includes advice about making sure you are up to date with vaccines, as well as tips for keeping you and your home warm, exercise, mental health, medication, information about fire safety, and ensuring that you’re accessing all the support you are eligible for as someone with kidney disease.
Every unit in England has been sent posters and leaflets to give out to their patients so do look out for them in your unit and if you can’t see them please ask one of the renal team about them. You can also download the NHS Stay Well in Winter guide.
