Winter is the 'high-risk period' for kidneys! Do these things well to keep your kidneys healthier!

With the arrival of winter, the temperature drops sharply and everything goes into hibernation. In this cold season, the various organs of the human body are also facing severe tests, among which the kidneys are the first to bear the brunt and become a "high-risk organ". According to traditional Chinese medicine, winter corresponds to the kidneys, which store essence. Winter is an important period for the kidneys to perform their function of storing essence, and it is also the stage when the kidneys are most vulnerable and most susceptible to damage. Understanding the challenges faced by the kidneys in winter and mastering effective protection methods are crucial to maintaining kidney health.

Winter Kidney Challenges

1. Blood pressure fluctuations : Cold weather can cause blood vessels to constrict, increase peripheral resistance, and lead to higher blood pressure. For people who already suffer from high blood pressure, blood pressure fluctuations are more obvious in winter. High blood pressure is one of the important risk factors for kidney damage. Long-term high blood pressure can cause hardening of the small arteries in the kidneys, affect blood perfusion in the kidneys, and thus damage kidney function.

2. Increased risk of infection : In winter, people spend more time indoors, where air circulation is poor and immunity is relatively low, making them vulnerable to viruses, bacteria and other pathogens, leading to respiratory infections such as colds, influenza and pneumonia. These infections may induce immune responses and cause immune damage to the kidneys, especially for patients with chronic kidney disease, where infections may aggravate the condition and cause acute kidney injury.

3. Reduced water intake : In winter, the weather is cold, the body sweats less, and the feeling of thirst is relatively weakened. Many people will unconsciously reduce their water intake. However, insufficient water intake will lead to urine concentration, which will increase the concentration of harmful substances in the kidneys and increase the risk of diseases such as kidney stones and urinary tract infections. At the same time, urine concentration will also increase the excretion burden of the kidneys and affect the normal function of the kidneys.

Ways to protect your kidneys

1. Keep warm : Coldness can stimulate blood vessel contraction and increase the burden on the kidneys, so keeping warm is the primary task of protecting the kidneys in winter. Add clothes in time, especially pay attention to keeping the waist and feet warm. The waist is where the kidneys are located, and the cold in the waist will directly affect the circulation of qi and blood in the kidneys; and the feet are the gathering place of the human body's meridians, and the cold starts from the feet. Improper foot warmth will also affect the circulation of qi and blood throughout the body. You can choose to wear thick cotton clothes, warm pants, cotton shoes, etc., and soak your feet in hot water before going to bed, which can not only warm your feet, but also promote blood circulation and help the kidneys metabolize better.

2. Reasonable diet : Winter diet should be warm and nourishing, and eat more foods that are good for the kidneys. For example, black foods are related to the kidneys in traditional Chinese medicine theory, such as black sesame, black beans, black rice, etc., which are rich in various nutrients and have the effect of nourishing the kidneys and replenishing essence. Lamb is also a good tonic in winter. It is warm in nature and can warm the middle and dispel cold, nourish the kidneys and strengthen yang. In addition, control the intake of salt to avoid high-salt diet that increases the burden on the kidneys. At the same time, ensure adequate water intake. Don't wait until you are thirsty to drink water. Drink at least 1500-2000 ml of water every day to promote urine excretion, flush the urethra, and reduce the deposition of harmful substances in the kidneys.

3. Moderate exercise : Although winter is cold, we should not ignore exercise. Moderate exercise can promote blood circulation, enhance the body's immunity, and is good for kidney health. However, you should pay attention to choosing the right time and method for winter exercise. It is best to choose to exercise during a period of sufficient sunshine and relatively high temperature, such as between 10 am and 3 pm. You can choose mild aerobic exercises such as walking, jogging, Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin, etc. to avoid excessive fatigue and strenuous exercise. The intensity of exercise should be such that you sweat slightly, not profusely, so as to avoid leakage of yang energy and damage to the body.

4. Regular work and rest : In winter, the days are short and the nights are long, so the body's biological clock should be adjusted accordingly, following the principle of "early to bed and late to rise, and must wait for the daylight". Early to bed can nourish the yang energy, and late to rise can help to protect the yin energy. Ensuring adequate sleep time is conducive to the rest and repair of the kidneys. Staying up late for a long time will disrupt the body's biological clock, affect the normal function of the endocrine system and immune system, and increase the burden on the kidneys. Therefore, it is necessary to develop good work and rest habits, ensure 7-8 hours of sleep every day, and allow the kidneys to be fully recuperated during sleep.

5. Control underlying diseases : For people with underlying diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, they should control their conditions more strictly in winter. Take medication on time, regularly monitor blood pressure, blood sugar, blood lipids and other indicators, and adjust treatment plans according to the doctor's advice. If these underlying diseases are not well controlled, they will further damage kidney function and increase the risk of kidney disease.

Winter is a critical period for kidney health. We must fully realize the risks faced by kidneys in winter and protect them from all aspects of life. By keeping warm, eating a proper diet, exercising moderately, keeping a regular schedule, and controlling underlying diseases, we can keep our kidneys healthy in the cold winter and lay a solid foundation for good health in the coming year.