Stopping Water Intake Due to Cold Is Dangerous!... Beware of Indoor Dryness, the Silent Kidney Destroyer

The kidneys are the body's "water purifier."

About 70% of the human body is composed of water, and this fluid is essential for maintaining the function and physiological activities of major organs such as the blood, heart, kidneys, liver, and muscles.

Since more than 1 liter of water is lost daily through sweat, breathing, and urination or defecation, it is necessary to replenish a certain amount of fluid through food and beverages. When this balance is disrupted, the condition is called "dehydration."

Food and Beverage. Provided by Clipart Korea (Not related to the report)

Most people think of dehydration as a summer problem, but the risk of dehydration also exists in winter. As the temperature drops, the thirst signal becomes dull, which naturally reduces water intake. Increased indoor activities and decreased physical activity also make it easy to neglect fluid replenishment.

When exposed to cold air, breathing increases to maintain body temperature, which leads to water loss. Wearing multiple layers of thick clothing causes fine sweating, but this is hard to notice. On top of that, the dry indoor environment caused by heating further increases water loss through the respiratory tract and skin, so dehydration can progress in winter without one even realizing it.

As dehydration progresses, the amount of water in the blood decreases, making the blood relatively thicker and more viscous. When blood becomes thicker, the resistance to flow inside blood vessels increases, which can raise blood pressure. This elevated blood pressure puts a strain not only on the heart but also on the kidneys. In particular, people with hypertension or already reduced kidney function have a diminished ability to filter blood in the kidneys, which can lead to further kidney damage, so extra caution is needed.

In addition, during winter, many people take pain relievers (NSAIDs) due to colds and similar illnesses. Taking pain relievers when dehydrated or when kidney function is weak can reduce blood flow to the kidneys and increase the burden on them. Therefore, elderly individuals or those taking antihypertensive drugs or diuretics should always consult their doctor before taking such medications.

Furthermore, cold weather often leads people to seek out hot stews, and with activities like kimchi-making, sodium intake increases more than usual. This can raise blood pressure, and excessive salt intake can further burden the kidneys.

Kim Minji, Director of the Artificial Kidney Center at Daedong Hospital (Nephrologist), advised, "During winter, not only can dehydration occur without you noticing, but elevated blood pressure, pain reliever use, and high-salt diets can all combine to impact kidney health. Especially for the elderly or those with kidney disease, it is important to actively protect kidney health during winter by carefully managing fluid intake, blood pressure, medications, and dietary habits."

To prevent these issues, adequate fluid intake is extremely important. Even if you do not feel thirsty, it is best to drink about 1 to 1.5 liters of water a day in small amounts to sufficiently replenish fluids. When consuming caffeine or alcohol, it is advisable to develop the habit of drinking water alongside to prevent dehydration.

Because blood pressure can rise easily in cold weather, elderly individuals or those with hypertension should check their blood pressure regularly. People with underlying health conditions should always consult medical professionals before taking any medication, including pain relievers, and if symptoms such as decreased urine output or swelling occur after taking medication, they should notify their healthcare provider immediately.

Since people spend more time indoors, it is important to maintain appropriate temperature and humidity, and to engage in regular physical activity such as stretching or light exercise indoors. Eating plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits and moderating salt intake are also helpful for maintaining kidney health during winter.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.