Tips Of Drinking Water For Healthy Kidneys
Is drinking water good for the kidneys? Yes, of course, drinking water is essential not only for kidneys but for all organs of our body. Water accounts for around 60% of a person’s body weight. Water aids digestion, cushions joints, regulates body temperature, helps regulate blood pressure and heartbeat, carries oxygen and nutrients, prevents constipation, and does much more. Read more about how water is essential for kidneys and tips on drinking water for kidney health.
Is drinking water good for the kidneys?
Drinking sufficient quantities of water improves kidney health. Your kidneys perform many vital functions that keep the rest of the body's organs in balance. Water helps the removal of wastes from the blood in the form of urine. Sufficient water keeps the proper flow of blood and essential nutrients to the kidneys, producing more urine to flush out germs.
Lack of water can make you dehydrated, and severe dehydration can cause kidney damage and disrupts normal body functions. In some cases, mild dehydration can also lead to kidney damage if it happens frequently. Weakness, dizziness, low blood pressure, darker urine color, or confusion are warning signs of dehydration. The wastes can build up and clog your kidneys if you are dehydrated. These clumps of waste make kidney stones. Dehydration can also contribute to the development of urinary tract infections.
Tips on drinking water for kidney health
How much water should I drink? This is the most common and simple question people ask. But no single answer fits the question. The amount your body needs depends on various factors, such as how physically active you are, climate, age, and health conditions. People who are breastfeeding or pregnant may need excess fluids to stay hydrated.
For a normal healthy person: Two liters of water is adequate to drink daily. But the volume should go up (around three liters) if you are involved in vigorous activities or go outside in hot weather. Be sure to drink a glass of water before and after exercising. Remember that around 20% of total water intake usually comes from the food we eat.
If you have kidney disorders: The amount of drinking water for kidney health varies. Kidney failure, also called end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), is the final stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Dialysis or transplant is essential to survive. When you have kidney failure, you may need to limit fluids and water as the damaged kidneys do not get rid of excess water as they should. If you are on dialysis treatment, your water consumption will be greatly restricted to avoid health complications. The healthcare professional may ask you to limit your fluid allowance to 900 ml daily.
Kidney stones and urinary tract infections: Drinking plenty of fluids can help dilute urine and allows microbes to be flushed from the urinary tract (UTI) before an infection can start. Water also helps dissolve antibiotic medications used for UTIs and makes them more effective. People with a history of kidney stones should aim to drink up to three liters of water throughout the day. You should drink more when you are in a hot climate or you exercise frequently.
How do I know if I am not drinking enough?
You can come to an idea by looking at your urine. Normally urine should be colorless or light yellow. If it is darker, that may mean you need more water. But if it is always very dark, be sure to check with your physician to find out the cause. Other things you may experience are feeling thirsty, light-headed, or having a dry mouth.
The bottom line
Consuming enough fluids, especially drinking water, for kidney health is a must. You can also do certain other things to keep your kidneys healthy. Exercise is one of the best things for kidney health. It lowers your chances of kidney disorders and other health conditions affecting the kidney. If your busy lifestyle doesn’t give you time to visit a gym, don’t worry. Everything that makes you move counts. Use stairs instead of the lift, and go for a brisk walk. Limit processed foods, alcohol consumption, and adding salts while eating.
