RightHealth Daily Dose » winter

Dialysis Patients Urged To Plan For Winter Storms

Steven — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 04:13:50 +0000

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.

So How Long Can Your Skin Stand The Cold?

Steven — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 07:55:44 +0000

The recent cold snap in America’s Midwest has prompted inquiries to the Iowa Department of Public Health regarding the length of time it takes for skin to freeze in the predicted winter chill today – some areas are predicting temperatures as low as 40F below zero with the wind chill factor. In these conditions, exposed skin could freeze within 10 minutes, causing frostbite. Frostbite most often affects parts of the body that are most difficult to maintain warmth including the fingers, nose, ears, toes, cheeks, and chin. When frostbite occurs it can cause tingling, numbness, and grayish discoloration in the affected area. It can also permanently damage the skin, causing scarring, and severe cases can lead to amputation.