DaVita: Fluid Control

DaVita’s website also has a page on Fluid Control while on dialysis. Since most dialysis patients don’t produce much urine, fluid control is very important in controlling blood pressure and avoid edema. Each dialysis session, the nurse listens to my lungs to see if there is any fluid in the lungs which could lead to shortness of breath or pneumonia.

The website also give a lot of tips on controlling fluid intake:

• Limit the amount of sodium and spicy foods in your diet.
• Be aware of hidden fluids in foods. Foods with high water content include gelatin, watermelon, soup, gravy and frozen treats like PopsiclesTM and ice cream.
• Stay cool. Keeping cool will help reduce your thirst. Try drinking cold liquids instead of hot beverages.
• Sip your beverages. Sipping will let you savor the liquid longer. Use small cups or glasses for your beverages.
• Try ice. Many patients find that ice is more satisfying than liquids. Try freezing your allotted amount of water into an ice tray. You can also try freezing approved fruit juices in ice trays for a special treat. Remember to include the ice you consume when tracking your fluid intake.
• Take your medicines with your meal, if possible. Try swallowing pills with applesauce instead of liquids.
• Battle dry mouth by using mouthwash or brushing your teeth. Sucking on hard candy or a wedge of lemon or lime will also help.
• If you have diabetes, maintain good blood glucose levels. High blood glucose levels will increase your thirst.

I pretty much do all of the above to control fluid intake, especially the ice trick. I carry a small thermos with me with ice chips. Rather than drinking water, I will melt a few ice pieces on my tongue and lips in order to quench thirst. It works fairly well.

I’ve been pretty good at keeping weight gains between dialysis sessions to minimum. I think I was averaging about 1.0 – 1.5 kg per two-day periods. After starting work though, I’ve been putting on more weight due to eating more during lunch, and drinking more fluids since the dispensers are very convenient.

Here’s a similar page from Fresenius’ website. They are the other large for-profit dialysis company, and they also make dialysis machines.