Keeping Warm and Well in Winter: A Guide for PKD Patients
Winter can be challenging for people living with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) and other chronic kidney conditions. Cold weather can make existing health problems harder to manage and may raise blood pressure, especially for older people or those with heart, lung or metabolic conditions.
With a little planning, staying warm and keeping up to date with vaccinations, you can protect your health and stay well throughout the colder months.
Managing Your Medications and Appointments
Medication Management
- Order repeat prescriptions early, especially before bank holidays or bad weather.
- Ask your pharmacy about home delivery.
- Keep a stock of over-the-counter medicines that are safe for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Avoid ibuprofen unless specifically advised by your doctor or pharmacist.
Medical Appointments
- Plan alternative transport for dialysis or other essential appointments during icy conditions.
- Ask your kidney team whether online appointments are an option during severe weather.
Managing Illness in Winter. If you become unwell:
- Stay warm and rest.
- Drink plenty of fluids, unless you have a fluid restriction.
- Eat at least one hot meal a day.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medicines if you are unsure what is safe for kidney patients.
- Pharmacies can help with minor illnesses such as coughs, colds, sore throats and ear infections. Find your local pharmacy.
Staying Warm and Comfortable
Keeping Your Home Warm
- Heat your main living room to at least 18°C (64°F).
- Close doors and block draughts with draught excluders or folded towels.
- Make sure radiators are not blocked by furniture.
- Keep bedroom windows closed at night.
- Wear several thin layers rather than one thick layer.
- Ask your energy supplier about joining the Priority Services Register for extra support during power cuts.
Dressing for Warmth
- Choose multiple layers made from wool, cotton or fleece.
- Wear socks and slippers indoors.
- Wear a hat, thick socks and extra layers outdoors.
Staying Hydrated
Unless you have a fluid restriction, aim for 8 to 10 glasses of fluid a day. Follow personalised advice from your kidney team if you have restricted fluids.
Eating Well
Plan meals ahead and consider batch cooking to make sure you have nutritious, kidney-friendly food available.
Looking After Your Well-being
Physical Activity
Gentle, regular exercise can help keep you healthy and support blood pressure control. Talk to your kidney team about suitable activities.
Mental Health Support
Winter can feel isolating. Support is available through:
- Your GP
- NHS Talking Therapies (self-refer)
- Every Mind Matters
- NHS 111 for urgent mental health advice
- The PKD Charity helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm - 0300 111 1234. You can also join our online or in-person meetups, or connect with others through our closed Facebook groups.
Financial Support
Check whether you can receive winter fuel payments, the Warm Home Discount or other benefits. Utility companies must offer help to vulnerable customers.
Winter Preparedness Kit
Keep a small emergency kit at home. Useful items include:
- non-perishable, low-potassium foods
- essential medicines
- a torch and spare batteries and candles
- a hand-operated can opener
Medical Precautions - Vaccinations
Vaccinations help protect you from serious winter illnesses. Kidney patients are more vulnerable to infections, so keeping up to date is important.
Flu vaccine
Recommended for people with long-term conditions, including chronic kidney disease. You need the flu vaccine every year as flu strains change.
COVID-19 vaccine
Available to people at higher risk of serious illness, including:
- people aged 75 or over
- people aged six months to 74 years with weakened immune systems, such as those who have had a kidney transplant
- residents in older adult care homes
COVID-19 Treatments
If you are at high risk of becoming seriously unwell with COVID-19, you may be eligible for treatments through the NHS.
- Keep rapid lateral flow tests at home.
- Test as soon as symptoms appear, even if mild.
- If you test positive, contact your GP practice, hospital team or NHS 111 as soon as possible.
How to get Covid vaccines and treatments
RSV vaccine
People aged 75 to 79, and those who turned 80 after 1 September 2024, are eligible for an RSV vaccine. It protects against respiratory infections that can lead to pneumonia. Pregnant women will be offered the RSV vaccine from 28 weeks of pregnancy. Speak to your GP practice for more information.
Pneumococcal and shingles vaccines
People with chronic kidney disease may be eligible for a pneumococcal vaccine, which protects against a major cause of pneumonia.If you are aged 70 to 79, severely immunosuppressed and over 18, or turned 65 on or after 1 September 2023, you may be eligible for a shingles vaccine. Speak to your GP practice for more information.
If you would like to speak to us about what support we can offer you or a loved one, please visit PKD Support or contact us today and speak to a member of our team.
ADPKD, ARPKD, COVID-19, Vaccine, Mental health, PKD, Guidelines, blood pressure