When the kidneys are not working properly, not enough urine is made by the kidneys. When the amount of urine passed is less than the amount of fluid taken in, it means fluid is retained in the body. This is dangerous as it causes overloading, swelling of the ankles and around the eyes, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, and may result in heart failure If you gain weight quickly it usually means that fluid is building up in your body.
It is important to check the amount of fluid taken in and compare it to the amount of urine passed. A minimum of 500ml (2 cups) of water / fluids should be taken daily to make up for the fluids lost from the body through breathing and sweating
To calculate the amount of fluid that you drink per day:
| Method | Example |
|---|---|
| Measure the total amount of urine passed on day 1 | Urine passed on day 1 : 250ml (1 cup) |
| On day 2 add this to 200ml to give a total amount of fluids that can be taken | Fluid allowed on day 2 : 250ml + 500ml = 750ml (3 cups) |
Keep in mind the following foods are counted as fluids
| Water | Coffee | Tea |
| Maas | Milk | Yoghurt |
| Cold drinks | Juices | Alcoholic drinks |
| Soup | Sauces | Gravy |
| Thin porridge | Custard | Jelly |
| Ice | Ice Cream |
Tips for overcoming the feeling of thirst
This page last edited on
17 July, 2023
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