Fluid management in dialysis

HEALTHY KIDNEYS maintain electrolyte and acid-base balance and remove metabolic waste and excess fluids from the body. As kidney function deteriorates, metabolic wastes and fluid continue to accumulate in the blood leading to complications such as hypertension, anemia, edema, congestive heart failure and bone disease. Most dialysis patients need to limit daily fluid intake to avoid medical complications. The daily fluid allowance is determined based on the kidney residual function.

What is Fluid?

Fluid is any product that is liquid at room temperature. The obvious fluid sources are soups, shakes and beverages such as soda, tea, coffee, water, juice, lemonade, punch, rice milk (as well as dairy milk), and alcoholic drinks such as beer, wine, etc. The obscure fluid sources are ice chips, popsicles, fruit ice, gravy, sauces, jello, hot cereal, pudding, yogurt, watermelon and any frozen dessert such as ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet and sorbet. All of these fluids count toward daily fluid allowance.

The following are some practical fluid measurements:

• 1 Liter = 1000 ml = 4 Cups = 1 quart = 2 pints = 32 oz

• 1 cup = 8 ounce = 240 ml

• 1 oz = 2 Tbsp = 6 tsp

• 1 Tbsp = 3 tsp