Hydration Myths: How Much Water Should Dialysis Patients Drink?

We all know how hydration is crucial for maintaining overall health. However, fluid management becomes complicated for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing dialysis. One of the most common questions of dialysis guests is: How much water should one actually drink?

Let’s debunk a few hydration myths and explore what’s safe and healthy for dialysis patients:

Myth 1: “More Water is Always Better”

For most healthy individuals, drinking plenty of water helps to stay hydrated and support kidney function. However, for dialysis patients, the scenario is quite different. Since the kidneys no longer effectively filter excess fluids, drinking too much water can lead to fluid overload. This overload can cause dangerous complications like high blood pressure, swelling, and difficulty breathing due to fluid build-up in the lungs. 

For dialysis patients, less is often more. The amount of fluid a dialysis patient should drink depends on these factors:

-The type of dialysis they undergo,

-Their urine output and

-Their weight.

Hence, the healthcare providers can prescribe the correct amount.

Myth 2: “You Need to Drink Eight Glasses of Water a Day”

The widely known advice is to drink eight glasses of water daily. Once again, this does not apply to people on dialysis. In fact, dialysis patients often need to limit their daily fluid intake. The recommended amount varies, but generally, it’s around 1 litre or less per day, depending on individual needs.

The doctor or dietitian can guide dialysis patients on their ideal fluid intake based on:

-Overall weight

-Diet (Including liquid intake, such as soup, tea or even fruits)

-The type of dialysis (hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis) and

-Any residual kidney function.

 

Myth 3: “You Can Drink As Much Fluid as You Want After Dialysis”

Dialysis helps remove excess fluid, but that doesn’t mean one can consume water freely right after a session. Between treatments, a patient’s body continues to accumulate fluid. If one drinks too much, it will create a imbalance before the next dialysis session.

Exceeding your fluid limit between sessions can,

-Make one feel bloated

-Cause discomfort and

-Lead to severe health risks during your next dialysis session, such as low blood pressure or cramping.

Myth 4: “Thirst Means You Need More Water”
Feeling thirsty doesn’t always mean the body needs more water. Dialysis patients can experience dry mouth and thirst even if they are at their fluid limit. This can be managed by:

-Proper diet

-Chewing gum (As per doctor’s advice)

-Sucking on ice chips (in limited amounts) or

– Sucking on fruits like grapes

– Rinsing the mouth

-Using mouth sprays to keep the mouth moist. (As per doctor’s advice)

These are some smart ways to satisfy thirst without overloading the body with fluids.

The ultimate key to managing fluid intake for dialysis guests is the right balance. Drinking too much can lead to fluid overload, while too little can cause dehydration.

It is crucial to follow the doctors and dietician’s advice, monitor weight, and track fluid intake. A well-informed approach to hydration will not only improve quality of life but also help reduce complications and make dialysis sessions smoother.