Factors Affecting Fluid
One of the biggest challenges that dialysis patients face daily is fluid management. This is particularly true as their residual renal function decreases. Problems that may result from excessive fluid include peripheral edema, ascites, pleural effusion, hypertension, hypotensive episodes during dialysis, left ventricular failure, and dilution of the serum causing falsely low lab values (such as albumin). Many factors including environment, personal routines, sodium intake, diabetic control, medications, smoking, chewing tobacco and poor dental hygiene can contribute to this fluid control challenge.
Environmental influences include our society’s tendency to “super-size” everything, even the drink sizes. Beverages are usually part of any social situation or special occasion. We have been told all of our lives to drink plenty of water. Drinking, even to excess, may be a habit that has been developed over many years. We all know that changing behaviors is very difficult and takes time.
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