How to drink water in chronic kidney failure

Generally, the amount of liquid that can be ingested by patients with chronic renal failure is between 2 to 3 glasses of 200 ml each, added to the volume of urine eliminated in one day. That is, if the patient with kidney failure takes 700 ml of pee in a day, he can drink that amount of water plus 600 ml a day, at most.

In addition, the amount of water allowed also varies according to the climate and the physical activity of the patient, which can allow a greater fluid intake if the patient perspires a lot.

However, the amount of fluids that can be ingested by kidney failure has to be controlled by a doctor or nutritionist after a urine test called creatinine clearance that assesses kidney function and its ability to filter body fluids.

How to control the amount of liquids

To control fluids in kidney failure you must:

Note the amount of liquids ingested on a paper, Use small glasses and cups, Drink only when you are thirsty, Do not drink liquids out of habit or socially.

It is important to control the intake of not only water but also coconut water, ice, alcoholic drinks, coffee, tea, chimarrão, gelatin, milk, ice cream, soda, soup, juice, because they are considered liquids. However, water from solid water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables, for example, are not added to the volume of fluids that the doctor allows the patient to ingest.

How to fight thirst in kidney failure

Controlling water intake by patients with chronic kidney failure is important to prevent the disease from getting worse, causing swelling throughout the body, 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 your nose than through your mouth; Eat cold fruits; Drink cold liquids; Put an ice stone in your mouth, quench your thirst and the amount of liquid you ingest is less; Put lemon juice or lemonade in a mold ice to freeze and suck a pebble when you feel thirsty; when your mouth is dry, put a piece of lemon in your mouth to stimulate saliva or use sour candies or gum.

In addition, it is also possible to reduce thirst just by rinsing your mouth, rinsing water or brushing your teeth. For other tips to live better with kidney failure see: 5 tips to live better with kidney failure.