Skip to main content
  1. Resource Center
  2. About Us
  3. Contact Us
  4. Español
Text Decrease Font Size Increase Font Size
Thrive On with Fresenius Kidney Care
Fresenius Kidney Care
Find a Dialysis Center
Permission to detect location was denied Current location could not be determined Use My Current Location
    Advanced Search

    Need help?
    1-888-373-1470

    HOME
    1. About Kidney Disease
      1. OVERVIEW
      2. Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease
      3. Kidney Disease Stages
      4. How Kidneys Work
      5. What to Expect
      6. Managing Kidney Disease
      7. Take Our Free Class – KidneyCare:365
    2. Treatments
      1. OVERVIEW
      2. What Is Dialysis
      3. In-Center Hemodialysis
      4. Benefits of Home Dialysis
      5. At-Home Peritoneal Dialysis
      6. At-Home Hemodialysis
      7. Types of dialysis access
      8. Transplant
      9. Supportive Care
      10. Making a Plan
    3. Thriving on Dialysis
      1. OVERVIEW
      2. Personal Life
      3. Traveling
      4. Staying Active
      5. Staying Healthy
      6. Tips for Loved Ones
      7. Thrive On Stories
      8. Share Your Thrive On Story
      9. My Fresenius Kidney Care Portal
    4. Eating Well
      1. OVERVIEW
      2. Managing Your Diet
      3. Fluid Management On Dialysis
      4. Planning Ahead
      5. Recipes
      6. Chef Aaron McCargo, Jr.'s Best Advice
    1. I Have Kidney Disease
    2. I'm Preparing For Dialysis
    3. I’m on Dialysis
    1. Resource Center
    2. Recipes
    3. Patient Travel Services Information Request
    4. Sign up for Ongoing Updates

    Find a Dialysis Center

    Permission to detect location was denied Current location could not be determined Use My Current Location
      Advanced Search

      Need help?
      1-888-373-1470

      1. About Us
      2. Contact Us
      3. FAQ
      4. Glossary
      5. Media
      6. Careers
      7. Español

      Need help?
      1-888-373-1470

      • facebook
      • twitter
      • youtube
      1. About Kidney Disease Open About Kidney Disease menu
        1. Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease
          1. Symptoms
          2. Risk Factors
          3. Causes
          4. Diagnosis and Testing
          5. GFR Calculator
        2. Kidney Disease Stages
          1. Stage 1
          2. Stage 2
          3. Stage 3
          4. Stage 4
          5. Stage 5
        3. How Kidneys Work
        4. What to Expect
        5. Managing Kidney Disease
          1. Kidney Diet Basics
          2. Your Care Team
          3. Diabetes
          4. High Blood Pressure
        6. Take Our Free Class – KidneyCare:365
      2. Treatments Open Treatments menu
        1. What Is Dialysis
        2. In-Center Hemodialysis
          1. In-Center Treatment Options
          2. What to Expect
          3. Hemodialysis Access
          4. Monitoring Your Lab Results
          5. Your Care Team
          6. How to Choose a Center
        3. Benefits of Home Dialysis
        4. At-Home Peritoneal Dialysis
          1. What to Expect
          2. Getting Prepared
          3. PD Access
          4. PD Training
          5. About Peritonitis
          6. PD Monitoring
          7. Your Care Team
        5. At-Home Hemodialysis
          1. What to Expect
          2. Getting Prepared
          3. HD Training
          4. HD Monitoring
          5. Your Care Team
        6. Types of dialysis access
        7. Transplant
          1. Kidney Donation
        8. Supportive Care
        9. Making a Plan
          1. Your Care Plan
          2. Dialysis Medications
          3. Managing the Cost of Dialysis
          4. Disaster Preparation
          5. End-of-Life Planning
      3. Thriving on Dialysis Open Thriving on Dialysis menu
        1. Personal Life
          1. Managing Your Emotions
          2. Talking About Dialysis
          3. Intimacy
          4. Body Image and Dialysis
          5. Building Your Dialysis Support Network
        2. Traveling
        3. Staying Active
          1. Benefits to Being Active
          2. Tips for Working While on Dialysis
          3. In-Center Activities
          4. Hobbies
        4. Staying Healthy
          1. Managing Your Time on Dialysis
          2. Dialysis & Exercise
          3. Weight Management
          4. Avoiding Infection
          5. Managing Multiple Conditions
          6. Fighting the Flu
        5. Tips for Loved Ones
          1. In-Center Hemodialysis
          2. At-Home Peritoneal Dialysis
          3. At-Home Hemodialysis
        6. Thrive On Stories
        7. Share Your Thrive On Story
        8. My Fresenius Kidney Care Portal
      4. Eating Well Open Eating Well menu
        1. Managing Your Diet
          1. Eating Well with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
          2. Eating Well on Dialysis
          3. Talking With Your Dietitian: Your Nutrition Expert
        2. Fluid Management On Dialysis
        3. Planning Ahead
          1. Kidney Friendly Shopping
          2. Eating Out
          3. Holiday Tips
        4. Recipes
          1. Breakfasts
          2. Lunches
          3. Dinners
          4. Snacks & Beverages
          5. Recipe Search
        5. Chef Aaron McCargo, Jr.'s Best Advice
      Close overlay
      Share this video
      1. Home
      2. Eating Well
      3. Fluid Management On Dialysis

      Managing Fluid
      Intake on Dialysis

      Share this page
      Dialysis works to remove excess fluid from your blood, so it’s important to manage your fluid intake. Fluids are typically limited on a dialysis diet, but the exact amount you should have each day may depend on your health and the type of dialysis you’re on. People on at-home peritoneal dialysis may have fewer fluid restrictions, while people on in-center hemodialysis generally have greater limitations to their fluid intake. Talk to your doctor or dietitian about how to manage your fluids and feel your best.

      WHAT TO DRINK WITH ESRD

      Find ideas for fluids and foods that fit a kidney diet.
      Foods to choose for ESRD

      Dialysis Fluid Intake

      Why your fluid intake matters on dialysis

      Limiting fluids will help you feel better and stay healthier. Once you’re on dialysis, you may urinate very little—or not at all. Any extra fluid must be removed by dialysis, and consuming too much fluid may cause buildup between dialysis sessions, resulting in the following:

      • Headaches and low energy
      • Swelling in your face, hands and feet (edema)
      • Trouble breathing from fluid in your lungs
      • Heart damage from stretching your heart with too much fluid
      • High blood pressure that can lead to a stroke

      Less salt = less thirst = feeling better

      Consuming less salt will help you:

      • Control your thirst.
      • Avoid swelling in ankles, fingers, waist or under eyes.
      • Keep your heart stronger.
      • Breathe easier.

      Learn how to cut salt and sodium without sacrificing flavor.

      Find simple ways to limit salt

      Measure and track your liquids

      People on a dialysis fluid restriction diet should typically limit fluids to 32 oz or less each day. Your doctor or dietitian will discuss your specific fluid requirements. To help you monitor your fluid intake, write down how much you’re drinking or eating throughout the day. It may also help to think about your day to plan what you’re going to drink and when. For instance, if you have a special occasion in the evening, consume less fluid throughout the day.

      What does 32 ounces of fluid look like?

      Measuring Cup

      32 Ounces

      4 Cupsequals

      1 Quartequals

      946 millilitersequals

      ~1 literequals

      weight management for dialysis

      HOW FLUID AFFECTS YOUR WEIGHT

      Excess fluid in your body shows up on the scale. Therefore, your body weight can be an important indicator of how well your treatments and fluid management are working together. Your dietitian will teach you how to monitor fluid gains and track what you’re drinking to help you feel your best.

      5 tips for quenching your thirst and limiting fluids

      Controlling how much you drink isn't always easy. Try these ideas for managing your fluid intake.

      1. Eat a piece of cold or frozen fruit, like grapes, strawberries or blueberries.
      2. Freeze your favorite beverage in a bottle and sip as the fluid melts.
      3. Suck on a piece of sugar-free hard candy or chew sugar-free gum.
      4. Drink from small cups or glasses.
      5. Rinse your mouth with mouthwash.
      Learn More Tips for Fluid Management

      Smart strategies for outwitting your thirst

      Beyond considering what you eat and drink, there are other steps you can take to successfully limit fluids.

      • Avoid “fluid traps”—identify situations where you may drink out of boredom or as a social habit.
      • Wait 10 minutes for a fluid craving to pass—call a friend, pick up a magazine or count to 100.
      • Keep cool on hot days—avoid getting overheated by dressing appropriately, staying in the shade and using a mist bottle with a fan.

      FLUIDS AREN'T JUST WHAT YOU DRINK

      While water, tea and anything you’re drinking out of a cup are obviously fluids, there are also some foods that contain enough liquid to be considered fluids and should be limited accordingly.

      • Soup
      • Ice cream, sherbet, sorbet
      • Nutritional drinks
      • Gelatin (Jell-O®)
      • Ice cubes, ice chips

      Tip: Foods that melt or are liquid at room temperature are considered fluids.

      Get more tips for managing fluids on dialysis

      Watch Fluid Video
      Back to Top
      1. About Us
      2. Español
      1. FAQ
      2. Resource Center
      3. Contact Us
      4. Glossary
      5. Media
      6. Careers
      1. Website Privacy Policy
      2. Terms of Use
      3. Site Map
      • facebook
      • youtube
      • twitter
      © 2016-2018, Fresenius Medical Care, All Rights Reserved.