Mandeville doctor warns heat exposure may raise kidney disease risk

With hotter conditions already being felt ahead of summer, a doctor attached to the renal unit at Mandeville Regional Hospital in Manchester is cautioning people who spend long hours outdoors to protect themselves against possible kidney damage.

The warning is aimed especially at workers regularly exposed to strong heat, including construction workers, vendors and farmers. The doctor said prolonged heat exposure without enough water can put the kidneys under strain. She also pointed to long-term exposure to air pollution from frequent burning of garbage and leaves, saying people living in those conditions may face a higher risk of kidney injury over time.

Men are being urged to seek medical checks earlier and more consistently. According to the doctor, women are often more likely to respond when they notice changes in urine colour or output, while some men delay care until symptoms become severe, including swelling, not passing urine, tiredness, nausea and vomiting.

She also reminded men to do prostate-related blood tests and said the cost of the PSA test has recently been subsidised by the Government. Men, she said, can now use their NHF card to help access the test.

Mandeville Regional Hospital chief executive officer Alwin Miller also appealed for Jamaicans to treat kidney disease as a serious health threat. He said the hospital is seeing more people between 20 and 40 years old being admitted with kidney failure, with many of those cases coming from Clarendon.

Miller said the public, and especially patients on dialysis, should pay close attention to their health. He warned against sugary drinks and some energy drinks, and said eating patterns tied to large portions and certain food choices continue to contribute to diabetes, hypertension and other illnesses linked to kidney disease.