Stage 5 Kidney Failure, also known as end stage renal disease, is a condition with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 15ml/min or less. Besides the medical treatment, there are many restrictions on their diet so as to protect the remaining kidney function. Well then, is it common to drink more fluids in the condition?

For the question, I am afraid the answer is “ No”! For people with kidney damage, most patients are asked to limit intake of water. Because the injured kidneys can not bear heavy burden and high fluid intake will increase kidney workload, thus worsening illness condition. In addition, our kidneys itself play a vital role in keeping the body balance and healthy. The kidneys filter waste products and excess water out of the blood, which are then expelled in urine. For stage 5 kidney disease patients, the excessive fluid and wastes will build up in the body due to injured kidneys. As a result, patients may suffer from high blood pressure, swelling or edema. Drinking too much fluids will aggravate swelling and speed up the deterioration.

Up to here, if you think that the less water intake, the better patients feel, then, you are wrong! As we all know, water is the best cleaner of our body. And to some extent, a proper amount of water can help patients discharge extra wastes and toxins through increasing urine output. Well then, how much water can stage 5 patients drink?

Frankly, it is not easy to answer the simple question. Because it depends on may factors such as degree of kidney damage, diet condition, lifestyles and living environment. Proper fluid intake varies from individual to individual, so if you wanna a personalized suggestion on the daily diet, please be free to contact us: renal-disease@hotmail.com or leave a message below directly and we will do our best to help you.