Just Enough to Drink

PART 1

Water: Friend or Enemy?

Drinking plenty of water is one of the best ways to prevent kidney stones, one of the causes of kidney disease. Most people who have early-stage CKD can drink a liberal amount of fluids.

In later stages of CKD, though, water becomes the enemy. If you have CKD, you need to consult your doctor about how much water and other fluids you can safely drink. As kidney disease progresses, the kidneys become unable to remove enough water from the bloodstream. Fluid builds up in the body and the heart becomes strained as it must work harder to pump the increased volume of blood.

Let your doctor know if you are producing either more or less urine than you used to. Talk to your doctor if you have any swelling in your arms, legs, or abdomen, or if the skin around your eyes is getting puffy. As a general rule, the more urine you produce, the more you fluids you can drink.