In medicine, Dialysis is a process for removing waste and excess water from the blood and is used primarily as an artificial replacement for lost kidney function in people with kidney failure.
Kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining the fluid balance in the body. It filters all the waste and excess water out of our blood, which are essentially flushed through urination. If kidneys do not function well, they store all the waste products in the blood. People who go through dialysis are generally advised to go on fluid restrictions and this includes water, juices and any kind of fluids that they may consume on a daily basis. Besides, they are also advised to install the best possible water purifier at home.
Physicians take a lot of factors into consideration on how much water every dialysis patient can consume. Although dialysis gets rid of excess fluid and waste in the body, it is certainly not as effective as healthy kidneys that work all through the year without a break. Most people on dialysis get treatments three times a week for about 3 to 4 hours at a time. This means, in the days between the dialysis treatments, the body holds on to excess fluid and waste which the kidneys are unable to remove. Doctors also measures the weight of such patients between dialysis. On an average, there is a general weight gain of 2 to 3 Kgs. If a person undergoing dialysis is noticed for having gained more weight that what is stipulated, then the Doctors further restricts the intake of fluids. Besides, everyday urine output is also considered to determine the exact quantity of water that one can take.
The toughest routine to follow is to maintain the fluid restrictions on a consistent basis. However, for those who have renal problems, it is wise to follow the restrictions on a very serious note, thereby helping themselves from sudden health outbreaks.
Here are some tips that could help all the people undergoing regular dialysis with their fluid intake restriction:
1. Keep a bottle just for yourself that could carry at least 150 Ml lesser than what your Doctors have suggested you. The reason being, fluid is consumed through other sources as well – fruits and food. Analyse the quantity of consumption of other liquids and ensure to buy a bottle just for the remaining quantity. If your restriction is 1 Litre per day and you have figured you take nearly 250 Ml of fluids through Fruits and Food source, then buy a 750 Ml water bottle.
2. Limit your salt intake for this leads to increase in Sodium and thirst levels. Also spicy food should totally be avoided to control the feeling of thirst.
3. Keep sipping your beverage for a long time instead of gulping it. This allows you to savour the liquid a little longer.
4. Many people have found ice to be satiating enough. However remember to include this in your daily fluid intake
5. In case of diabetes, blood glucose levels have to be maintained properly since high sugar will lead to increase in thirst.
6. Try to stay in cooler places as much as possible. Exposure to warm places or outdoors, will eventually lead to dehydration and there is a tendency to drink more water than what is stipulated
Also Read: Dehydration- a Common yet Ignored Cause of Back Pain
While it is important to stay within the fluid restriction, many do not consider quality of water as of significance. While pure drinking water is essential for everybody, people who are prone to infections are strongly recommended to drink only purified drinking water. People undergoing dialysis have to do their research on the best water purifier available in order to stay healthy. Here are some of the top water purifiers in India:
1. Kent
2. PureIt
3. Aquaguard
4. Tata Swach
5. Livpure