Generally the amount of fluids that can be ingested by patients with chronic renal failure lies between 2 to 3 cups of 200 ml each, added to the volume of urine eliminated in one day. That is, if the patient with kidney failure does 700 ml of pee in one day, he can drink that amount of water plus 600 ml per day at most.
In addition, the amount of water allowed also varies according to the climate and physical activity of the patient, which may allow a greater intake of fluids if the patient transpires a lot.
However, the amount of fluids that can be ingested by the renal insufficiency has to be checked by the doctor or nutritionist after a urine test called creatinine clearance assessing renal function and its ability to filter the body fluid.
How to control the amount of liquids
To control fluids in kidney failure, we must:
- Write down on paper the amount of fluids ingested,
- Use small cups and cups,
- Drink only when you are thirsty,
- Do not drink liquids habitually or socially.
It is important to control the intake not only of water but also of coconut water, ice, alcoholic beverages, coffee, tea, chimarrão, gelatina, milk, ice cream, soda, soup, juice, because they are considered liquids. However, water from water-rich solid foods like fruits and vegetables, for example, are not summed in the volume of liquids that the doctor allows the patient to ingest.
How to fight thirst in kidney failure
Control of water intake by patients with chronic renal failure is important to prevent the disease from getting worse, causing whole body swelling, difficulty breathing, and increased blood pressure. Some tips to help the patient with kidney failure to control thirst, without drinking water, can be:
- Avoid salty foods;
- Try to breathe more through the nose than through the mouth;
- Eat chilled fruit;
- Drinking frozen liquids;
- Placing an ice stone in the mouth, kills the thirst and the amount of fluid ingested is smaller;
- Put lemon juice or lemonade on a piece of ice to freeze and suck a pebble when you feel thirsty;
- When the mouth has dried, put a piece of lemon in the mouth to stimulate saliva or use sour bullets or chewing gum.
In addition, it is also possible to decrease thirst only by rinsing the mouth, chewing water or brushing the teeth. For other tips to live better with kidney failure see: 5 tips to live better with kidney failure.
Check out the tips of the nutritionist to know how to feed by ensuring the proper functioning of the kidneys:
