Your Summer Dialysis Guide
Summer brings sun, travel, and heat — all of which take extra planning when you’re on dialysis. Here’s what to know to stay safe and on track this season.
Sun Safety for Dialysis Patients
That summer sun feels pretty amazing. A little preparation can help keep it that way.
Dialysis patients can be more sensitive to sun exposure. The National Kidney Foundation recommends avoiding outdoor activity during the strongest sun hours, roughly 10 am to 2 pm, and wearing a hat and light, long-sleeved clothing when outside. Using sunscreen and protecting your dialysis access site before swimming are also important steps.
Talk with your care team about what sun protection looks like for your specific situation this summer. Learn more from the National Kidney Foundation.
Traveling on Dialysis This Summer
Fun summer travel is always possible with the right planning, and your Innovative Renal Care team is here to help.
Whether you are heading to see family or taking a trip you have been looking forward to, Innovative Renal Care’s experts can help locate a dialysis center near your destination and coordinate your care before you leave. The key is starting early. The sooner you reach out, the smoother the process.
Carry a comprehensive summary of your dialysis treatment, including your prescription, treatment schedule, and any specific medical needs — this documentation will be essential when discussing your care with unfamiliar healthcare providers. Bring enough of your prescribed medications to last the entire trip, plus a few extra days’ supply.
Click here to start planning and learn more about traveling on dialysis here.
Managing Fluid and Sodium in the Heat
Hot weather can make thirst harder to manage, and for dialysis patients, thirst is directly connected to sodium intake.
Sodium causes the body to hold onto fluid. The more sodium in your diet, the thirstier you feel between treatments. That makes staying within your fluid limits more challenging during the summer months.
Checking ingredient labels on canned and processed foods can help. Sodium hides in foods that may not taste salty. While fluid intake should be limited, staying hydrated is still important — patients should follow their provider’s recommendations and use strategies to manage thirst, such as chewing gum or sucking ice chips.
Your Innovative Renal Care dietitian can help you look at your current plan and adjust for the warmer months ahead. For a full guide to nutrition and hemodialysis, visit NIDDK.
Why Innovative Renal Care
At Innovative Renal Care, we are committed to delivering a dialysis experience that goes beyond the treatment itself. As a physician-partnered, nurse-led, patient-centered organization, our focus is on collaboration, innovation, and data driven care.
Learn more about our ongoing commitment to deliver more tomorrows to our patients, their families, and friends.
