Water Consumption helps or hurts?

[RickHow]

Read an article that explained why diabetes is the leading cause of CKD. Because the excess glucose causes the Kidney to work hard to try to filter out the glucose. Over time this leads to kidney damage to the filters/Kidney, and thus CKD. But yet we are told as those with CKD to drink, drink, drink lots of water. I wonder why all this excess work to the kidney does not cause damage too?? It is a lot more that the kidney has to filter. Of course there are the benefits of ridding the toxins, etc., but are we "over working" our kidneys by this "excessive" water consumption? Thoughts?

[curleytop1]

Hello RickHow, You have raised a question that I have wondered about too. I have had the same thoughts about the large amounts of water consumption that some posts mention, apart from the obvious fact that drinking so much means one cannot be too far from the bathroom for any length of time, especially inconvenient when out of the house!

I have not raised the subject before because the advice seems to be universally accepted regarding CKD except for those who have been given specific instructions to limit their fluid intake. It would be nice to have an informed medical opinion on this subject - Curleytop1.

[Bunkin]

I, too, have wondered about that. In my kidney book it says to consume water a few sips at a time throughout the day. That way you get your water but it doesn’t overload the kidneys all at once. But sometimes I find I have to chug it if I’ve falken behind on the amount I have to drink😂😂

[RickHow in reply to Bunkin]

We are alike. I know it is would be better to drink a little at a time throughout the day. But I simply don't seem to do it. I get up, have my breakfast, etc., and for some reason the desire for water or my own recall to drink some, fails me. Then at lunchtime I know I better start to consume. So I begin. But then my available hours to consume 70 ounces is limited, because I certainly don't want to be drinking close to bed time and be up all night. :). And while all the doctors tell me drink water, not a one has said how much! There is the classic understanding that 8, 8 ounce glasses of water is recommended for anyone. But I do consume 2 cups of coffee (also "water") a day. My fear is if I have a "weak, diseased" kidney, is it really advisable to stress it with so much water. Additionally I have had times I followed the regime religiously. And other times where I have failed. And in either case, my creatinine level remains identical.

[Bunkin in reply to RickHow]

I know! Seems like sometimes you just can’t win! But you keep on trying anyway😀😀

[orangecity41 in reply to RickHow]

I feel same as you. Was never mentioned how much water/liquid is the acceptable amount. I also have to consider BPH. We are all different too. Maybe body size is a factor??

[Marvin8]

If we drink tons of water and strain the kidneys, it could have the positive benefit of providing more revenue to doctors and dialysis companies. Think positive!

[MAS_Nurse]

Hi RickHow, thank you for your post. Since everyone is different, daily water intake will vary from person to person. Although it is uncommon, drinking more water could lower the serum creatinine level, but it does not change kidney function. Please have a look at the following website where you will find more information about this.

Information For the public -Chronic Kidney Disease-Think Kidneys

thinkkidneys.nhsuk/ckd/info.... Are any more members able to help RickHow, please?

Thank you and best wishes

[athenat]

I don't have a medical degree, but I am an ARNP. Water is life to cells period. Just like food helps sustain our body to provide energy. Kidneys need water to help excrete the toxins in your body. Most of anything in life that involves the word filter has some type of fluid attached to how it will work. Most kidney transplant patients have increased IV fluids right after sx to make sure the kidneys are functioning adequately. As you, my problem is no one can tell you how much water is adequate. I guess you just have to start paying attention to how your body responds. My kidney function, creatinine and GFR have drastically improved from changing my diet and increasing my water intake ( I go up to 3L per day). I know this is not a medical response to your post but hope it helps a little.

[RickHow in reply to athenat]

interesting. no matter what I do I can't seem to get my kidney function, GFR to improve and my creatinine level to decrease. BUT I have been fortunate in a way that for close to 18 months those measurements have remained steady. Perhaps this is due to my water consumption. My diet changes, and moderate exercise, and consumption of water has led me to shed over 30 pounds over those 18 months. The improvement in my blood pressure has been amazing (reduction of meds by 75%) and the just the way that I feel so much better, makes the water worth it. But for the CKD itself, there seems to be no difference.

[RickHow]

I found an interesting and RECENT (2018) study on this subject, on the internet. They took about 570 males who were at stage 3. They were in the age group of mid 60's. Their median egfr was 41 (or 42, i'm doing this from memory). They divided them into 2 groups. Those that they had hydrate with 1.5 liters per day, and those that did not. One year late they again measure the egfr. The group that drank the water, after one year, their egfr went DOWN 2.2 points. Those that did not drink the water, their egfr went down 1.9 points. So basically identical. But to me in either case that seemed a rather significant delcline in a year, down 2 points. At that rate these patients would be in the Stage 4 (dialysis soon) range within 6 years!! So then I see that these patients had some significant problems. 48% had diabetes, over 70% were labelled obese, almost all had hypertension. So not exactly a balanced measurement that applies to the "normal" population. However one thing was of interest. While the drinking of water did NOT have any effect on slowing the progression of CKD, etc., there were some VERY positive indicators. In the group that drank the water. This group, compared to the on drinkers, had an improvement in their plasma copeptin (lowered the amount in the urine), had improved creatinine clearance, and improved measurement of urine albumin. But regarding egfr there was no impact from hydration. And I still find it unusual that in both groups they had such a decline (2 points) in their egfr in just 12 months.

[DeanSamson]

I drink between 3 and 5 litres a day and I have pkd. I have got into a habit of drinking it now. I'm up usually 2 or 3 times a night. I also take a pint of water to bed to drink after I have been to the toilet and in the last 3 years I have had no significant change in my kidneys. All my values are in the normal range. Egfr 90+

[RickHow]

thanks good to hear. So with those numbers you do not have CKD. that's good. Oh yes I am familiar with the 2 or 3 times a night, lol.

[Alex6157]

My non-professional opinion: Apparently what overloads kidneys is filtering out various toxins from the blood. Just passing water does not contribute to this overload; in fact, it helps. A lot of water means a lower concentration of toxins, which makes filtering easier. That is why dehydration harms kidneys: it makes them work with overconcentrated blood.

[RickHow in reply to Alex6157]

Very interesting Alex. Thanks for the input. Sounds reasonable. I have always wondered on this subject. Rick