As winter continues in the northern hemisphere, dialysis patients are urged to plan for potential storms that can cause disruptions in their treatment schedules. Dialysis is a procedure used to provide artificial kidney function to those with kidney failure. Skipping dialysis treatments can cause serious metabolic problems and can lead to cardiac arrhythmias and even coma. Here are some tips for dialysis patients and their caretakers:
- Speak to your doctor to formulate an emergency plan.
- Keep emergency phone numbers accessible.
- Be aware of local weather warnings.
- If you perform dialysis at home, speak with your provider to make sure you know what to do in the even the power goes out.
Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.