Does dehydration cause kidney disease or does kidney disease cause dehydration?

[meggiemog]

Hi, I have been having problems now for a couple of years , had tons of tests done (including diabetes, thyroid and Sjogren's - all negative), latterly bloods showing my kidney function is declining . I have a constantly dry mouth (feels burnt and taste is tainted), digestive problems, and itchy dry skin, as well as weird sunken 'pits' that have appeared in various places including my hands. I also have temperature drops - where I go from 36.6 degrees c to 35.1 - can't get warm for ages - sitting in a room with all heating on, fully clothed with blankets and a hot water bottle. This is now happening on a regular basis (used to be once a month or so - now happening at least 3-4 times a week). My husband says I go as white as a sheet. Usually this is followed by a hangover head. I think I am really dehydrated - but I do not drink a lot of coffee, no fizzy drinks - drink at least 3 litres of water a day and have a gluten free diet without a large amount of meat. Alcohol just makes me sick - so I don't tend to have anymore. I don't have high blood pressure or diabetes. If I do drink more I just wee more! I have had 2 hospital tests in the last month where I could neither eat or drink for 12 hours - it was hell. My tongue was glued to the roof of my mouth! One actually was a stomach emptying test - which meant eating food with nothing to drink! I was retching by the time I finally got some water.

So what comes first - dehydration or kidney disease?

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Hi Meggiemog, I checked back to see if you posted anything about Sjogrens. Could not see if you had that or not. Not, that I am diagnosing. However, you sound symptomatic for that. That condition can affect the kidneys. I hope you are working with a good doctor who will figure it out.

[meggiemog in reply to Bassetmommer]

I actually left the sjogren's group as I have had both blood tests and salivary glands scanned. The only other 2 things I can see that would affect this is diabetes insipidus and addison's disease. Problem is both are really rare and GPs don't usually test for these. I do have another kidney blood test booked for later this month , so I will hold tight until then.

[My_Kidneys]

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) stated: "Can dehydration affect your kidneys? The answer is yes." kidney.org/newsletter/can-d...

However, "The most common misconception regarding renal handling of water involves the belief that drinking a large volume of fluid helps to eliminate more wastes. In fact, as initially proposed by Smith,1 renal function is ultimately related to the glomerular filtration rate."

I believed in this misconception that, I was helping myself by drinking large amounts of water to remove toxins from my body. I experienced swelling in my feet, ankles and legs and a low blood sodium level.

"Overhydration can lead to water intoxication. This occurs when the amount of salt and other electrolytes in your body become too diluted. Hyponatremia is a condition in which sodium (salt) levels become dangerously low. This is the main concern of overhydration." healthline.com/health/overh...

My nephrologist had me reduce my fluid intake from more than four(4) liters to 1 1/2 to 2 liters. My swelling was dramatically reduced and my blood sodium level returned to normal. Talk with your nephrologist about your fluid balance.

[meggiemog in reply to My_Kidneys]

Thanks for that. I don't swell up so much - am just devoid of water! If I don't drink I get really nauseous, get very irate and my digestive system is a mess! I feel like all the water I take in goes straight through and my whole body is water starved. I don't know what to do to help myself!

[Raclette in reply to meggiemog]

Do not gulp a glass of water down quickly have smaller sips but more often