Managing fluid overload

Most people in the early stages of kidney disease do not need to limit the amount of fluids they drink. However, as kidney disease gets worse, your dietitian or clinician can let you know if you need to limit fluids and how much to drink each day.

Having too much water in your body is called fluid overload (or hypervolemia). One of the main functions of the kidneys is to balance fluid in the body. If too much fluid builds up in your body, it can have harmful effects on your health, such as difficulty breathing and swelling. Therefore, at some point, you may need to track your fluids to prevent fluid overload, especially if you receive dialysis.

Discuss with your clinician how much fluid you can have. Control thirst by avoiding salt and eating foods lower in sodium. Your dietitian can give you advice on how to control thirst and how to limit your fluid intake. Foods that melt at room temperature, such as ice cream and gelatin, are considered fluids. Patients on hemodialysis may need to limit their daily fluid intake to about 1 liter/day (about 32 ounces or 4 cups). Patients on peritoneal dialysis may also need to limit their fluid, but usually not as much as those on hemodialysis. But each person is different, so your clinician will tell you the amount that is right for you.

Here is an app that can help you manage your fluid intake.