Dialysis patients warned about fluid intake during heat wave

Dialysis patients warned about fluid intake during heat wave

By Brian DeNeal
Daily Register
Posted Jul 21, 2011 @ 02:00 PM

HARRISBURG —
Dialysis patients are particularly sensitive to periods of high heat. Staying hydrated is crucial this time of year, but dialysis patients could harm themselves by drinking too much fluid.

Fresenius Medical Care North America offers some advice for those undergoing dialysis regarding quenching thirst without jeopardizing their health during the hot summer months.

The kidneys help regulate the body's hydration and water balance, so for those with kidney failure on dialysis maintaining the body's fluid level is critical. Their kidneys can no longer remove excess liquid waste and too much fluid consumption can cause fluid to enter the lungs and create difficulty breathing or even death, according to a press release from Fresenius.

Symptoms such as weight gain, higher blood pressure or swelling are signs the body may be retaining too much fluid. Over time, too much fluid can also hurt the heart and lead to heart failure.

“When summer rolls around, the natural temptation to drink more can make it harder for people on dialysis to keep their fluid levels under control,” Fresenius Corporate Dietitian Barbara Zebrowski said, in a prepared release.

“Patients should talk with their doctor and dietitian to learn how much fluid they can drink every day, how to limit fluid intake and what signs and symptoms to look for if too much fluid is building up.”

Fresenius offers this advice for limiting fluids and controlling thirst:

Pass on the salt. Do not add salt to food and keep the salt shaker off the table.

Brush your teeth more often to feel refreshed.

Suck on a lemon wedge. You can freeze it first if you like.

Add lemon to water and ice for a thirst-quenching effect.

Suck on a few ice chips. Ice stays in your mouth longer than water.

Eat sugar-free sour candy or chew gum to wet your mouth.

Eat frozen fruit like grapes, peaches, or pineapple chunks – making sure to count these as part of your fruit allowance.

If you have diabetes, keep your blood glucose levels at the level your physician prescribes.

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