What Is Fluid Overload?
Healthy kidneys pull excess fluid out of your body and send it away as urine, but with compromised kidneys, this process is inefficient. When kidneys don’t rid the body of fluid properly, you are at risk of fluid overload, which can cause congestive heart failure. Too much fluid in your body may overwork your heart, which can lead to heart problems, high blood pressure, or even further damage to your kidneys.
Signs of fluid overload include rapid weight gain, shortness of breath, and high blood pressure. You may also notice swelling in your arms, legs, hands, feet, face, or abdomen. Fluid overload can make you feel physically uncomfortable. If you’re on dialysis, you may feel nausea toward the end of your sessions, and you may need additional dialysis treatments if your doctor thinks you have excess fluid in your body.
Discuss Dry Weight with Your Doctor
Estimating the safe amount of fluid removal for you depends on your “dry weight”. This is your body weight without excess fluid retention, and it is close to what you would weigh with healthy kidney function. If you’re on dialysis, your goal, with the help of your care team, is to return to your “dry weight” by the end of each dialysis treatment. At that time, you should feel comfortable, normally hydrated, and not thirsty.
Your doctor will determine your “dry weight” based on your weight when you have normal blood pressure, no swelling, your heart size appears normal on an x-ray, and there are no breathing sounds related to fluid overload.
What Is Fluid Overload?
Healthy kidneys pull excess fluid out of your body and send it away as urine, but with compromised kidneys, this process is inefficient. When kidneys don’t rid the body of fluid properly, you are at risk of fluid overload, which can cause congestive heart failure. Too much fluid in your body may overwork your heart, which can lead to heart problems, high blood pressure, or even further damage to your kidneys.
Signs of fluid overload include rapid weight gain, shortness of breath, and high blood pressure. You may also notice swelling in your arms, legs, hands, feet, face, or abdomen. Fluid overload can make you feel physically uncomfortable. If you’re on dialysis, you may feel nausea toward the end of your sessions, and you may need additional dialysis treatments if your doctor thinks you have excess fluid in your body.
Discuss Dry Weight with Your Doctor
Estimating the safe amount of fluid removal for you depends on your “dry weight”. This is your body weight without excess fluid retention, and it is close to what you would weigh with healthy kidney function. If you’re on dialysis, your goal, with the help of your care team, is to return to your “dry weight” by the end of each dialysis treatment. At that time, you should feel comfortable, normally hydrated, and not thirsty.
Your doctor will determine your “dry weight” based on your weight when you have normal blood pressure, no swelling, your heart size appears normal on an x-ray, and there are no breathing sounds related to fluid overload.
Tips for Preventing Fluid Overload
You can feel your best and keep your heart healthier by taking small steps to avoid fluid overload.
• Keep track of your daily fluid intake. Write down how many ounces of fluid you’re drinking and keep your records. Be sure to stick to your doctor’s recommended guidelines. They will base the daily fluid intake goal on your urine output and weight.
• Cut down on salt. Fill your shopping cart with fresh foods and choose low-sodium options. You can swap the salt for flavorful spices like basil, paprika, chili powder, or rosemary. Limiting sodium reduces fluid retention and will help you feel less thirsty.
• Try strategies to manage your thirst. Managing salt intake is key, but there are other tricks for feeling less thirsty. Give fluid cravings a few minutes to pass and try taking your medications with applesauce instead of a drink. Cool down in the heat by staying in the shade, sitting near a fan, or wearing loose and light clothing.
• Watch your weight. Tell your care team if you notice weight gain or swelling in any part of your body. Dry weight has been known to change after a hospitalization or when feeling better and you have a better appetite.
• Don’t miss any dialysis treatments. Missing a treatment can be dangerous for your health.
For more information on managing your fluid intake, visit FreseniusKidneyCare.com/Fluid-Management.
Tammy Bolin, RN, BSN, is the Director of Clinical Services Initiatives at Fresenius Kidney Care. In this role, she supports strategic operations for home therapies. Tammy has been a nurse in the dialysis industry for over 25 years and remains passionate about supporting individuals on dialysis and those who provide their care. A resident of Oklahoma, Tammy enjoys spending time with her family and friends and working on their family ranch.
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