Kolkata: The continuing heatwave has affected scores of kidney patients. Many of them are suffering from dehydration, leading to a drop in blood pressure and reduced kidney function. A significant number of these are dialysis patients. Hospitals now have a steady flow of such critical kidney patients.
A woman suffering from dehydration sought treatment at Charnock Hospital last week.Sikta Kaul, a US citizen, had a very high creatinine level and was eventually diagnosed with stage V ‘chronic kidney disease’. She was admitted to the ICU. “She had to be put on immediate dialysis and her condition gradually improved, leading to her discharge,” said Jayanta Dutta, consultant nephrologist & transplant physician at Charnock.
Several among the 81 patients treated for heat illnesses at BP Poddar Hospital over the last 10 days had kidney ailments apart from hypertension and diabetes. A chronic kidney patient suffering from heat exhaustion had to be put on dialysis. Patients with chronic kidney disease need to be more cautious and closely monitor their fluid intake as excessive sweating can lead to electrolyte imbalance and reduced urine output, exacerbating their condition, said Rajdeep Sen, consultant at BP Poddar Hospital.
At AMRI Hospitals, the heatwave had aggravated the condition of six out of a total 21 nephrology patients currently admitted. “We are getting some patients with kidney problems who have been affected due to the extreme weather. Although heat doesn’t directly affect the kidneys, dehydration can have serious effects on the organs and can lead to complications. Elderly patients are especially vulnerable. Patients with kidney ailments, cardiac issues and hypertension must stay away from the heat and have adequate fluids,” said Ritesh Kauntia, consultant nephrologist, AMRI Hospitals.
Kidney patients are facing more challenges in the scorching period since their fluid intake is restricted, said Peerless Hospital clinical research head Subhrojyoti Bhowmick.
RN Tagore Hospital (RTIICS) has seen a significant rise in the average footfall of nephrology patients per day — 170-190. Of this, around 10-12 per day last week were those struck by either a heatstroke or heat exhaustion-induced dehydration. “We are extending our OPD hours till 8 pm,” said Narayana Hospitals COO R Venkatesh.