How do dialysis patients control water scientifically? These 4 tips will help you cope with it easily!

For dialysis patients, scientifically controlling water intake is a key link in maintaining physical health and dialysis results. Improper water intake may cause a series of serious complications such as edema, hypertension, and heart failure, affecting the quality of dialysis and quality of life. Next, we will introduce in detail 4 practical tips to help dialysis patients scientifically control water intake.

1. Understand the importance of water control

The kidney function of dialysis patients is severely impaired, and they cannot regulate the body's water balance normally like healthy people. Excessive water intake will lead to fluid retention in the body, increasing the burden on the heart and blood vessels. On the one hand, the increase in fluid in the blood vessels will increase blood pressure, and long-term high blood pressure will damage important organs such as the heart, brain, and kidneys; on the other hand, the heart needs to work harder to pump blood, which may cause heart failure and endanger life. At the same time, edema not only affects the appearance, but also reduces the patient's comfort and increases the risk of infection. Dehydration caused by improper water control can cause discomfort symptoms such as low blood pressure, dizziness, and fatigue, affecting the smooth progress of dialysis. Therefore, dialysis patients must deeply understand the importance of scientific water control and regard it as a core task of daily self-management.

2. Accurately calculate daily water intake

1. Determine the basic water intake : Generally speaking, the daily water intake of dialysis patients should be the urine volume of the previous day plus 500 ml. This 500 ml is used to replenish insensible water loss, such as water lost through breathing and skin evaporation. For example, if the urine volume of the previous day is 800 ml, then the water intake on that day should be 800 + 500 = 1300 ml. However, this is only a rough reference. The actual water intake needs to be adjusted according to factors such as the patient's weight change, blood pressure, and dialysis interval.

2. Adjust according to weight changes : Weight is an important indicator of water balance in the body. Dialysis patients should measure their weight at the same time every day, wearing the same clothes. If the weight gain between two dialysis sessions exceeds 3% - 5% of dry body weight, it means that you have taken in too much water and you need to strictly control your water intake. If your weight gain is too little or even decreases, there may be a risk of dehydration and you need to increase your water intake appropriately. For example, for a patient with a dry weight of 60 kg, the weight gain between two dialysis sessions should not exceed 1.8 - 3 kg.

3. Master the skills of drinking water

1. Drink slowly and in small sips : Many patients are used to drinking water in large gulps when they are thirsty, which will cause them to take in a large amount of water in a short period of time and increase the burden on the body. The correct way is to distribute the amount of water you drink in a day to different periods of time, drink a small amount of water each time, and drink slowly and in small sips. For example, divide the amount of water you drink in a day into 8-10 times, and drink about 100-150 ml each time. This can relieve thirst and prevent water from entering the body quickly.

2. Use a graduated container : In order to accurately control the amount of water you drink, it is recommended to use a cup or kettle with a scale. This way you can clearly know how much water you drink each time and avoid drinking too much water due to miscalculation. At the same time, record the total amount of water you drink in a day for easy observation and adjustment.

3. Avoid high-salt and high-sugar foods : High-salt foods make people thirsty and increase water intake. Dialysis patients should strictly control their salt intake, not exceeding 5 grams per day. Reduce the consumption of high-salt foods such as pickles, preserved foods, and processed foods. High-sugar foods can also cause thirst and may also cause blood sugar fluctuations, which is not good for health. Therefore, avoid eating high-sugar foods such as candies, beverages, and cakes.

4. Use ice cubes and chewing gum wisely : When you feel extremely thirsty, you can hold an ice cube in your mouth and let it slowly melt, moisten your mouth and throat, and relieve your thirst. Chewing gum is also a good way, as it can stimulate saliva secretion and relieve the feeling of thirst. But be careful to choose sugar-free chewing gum to avoid affecting blood sugar.

4. Maintain a good attitude and living habits

1. Adjust your mentality : During the process of controlling water intake, patients may feel irritable and anxious due to thirst. At this time, you should learn to adjust your mentality and realize that controlling water intake is a necessary part of treatment and is essential to physical health. You can divert your attention by listening to music, watching movies, chatting with family and friends, etc. to relieve the discomfort caused by thirst.

2. Regular work and rest : Maintaining a regular work and rest schedule helps maintain the body's normal metabolism and water balance. Try to get up and go to bed at the same time every day to ensure adequate sleep. Avoid staying up late, as staying up late will increase physical fatigue and may also affect appetite and water intake.

3. Proper exercise : Proper exercise can promote blood circulation and enhance the body's resistance. However, dialysis patients should be careful to avoid excessive sweating during exercise to avoid dehydration. You can choose some relatively easy exercise methods, such as walking, Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin, etc., exercise for about 30 minutes each time, and exercise 3-5 times a week. Pay attention to replenishing the right amount of water before and after exercise to avoid water imbalance caused by exercise.

Scientific water control for dialysis patients is a process that requires long-term persistence and careful management. By understanding the importance of water control, accurately calculating the amount of water to drink, mastering water drinking skills, and maintaining a good attitude and living habits, dialysis patients can better control the body's water balance, reduce the occurrence of complications, improve the quality of life, and easily cope with dialysis treatment.