Electrolytes and Kidneys

[Praisepraise]

Hello everyone, thanks for thriving each day!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Staying hydrated with the ability to use drinks with electrolytes has been a challenge. I added water flavors, eat fruit like watermelon 🍉. To often we have to go to the emergency room for IV fluids. Do you have anything that helps keep you hydrated?

Thanks,

[jodaer]

Water... just plain old tap water.

[drmind in reply to jodaer]

Plain water and Not necessarily water with electrolytes.

[Praisepraise in reply to drmind]

Thanks, unfortunately plain water has to be forced to drink. But I will keep trying.

[Pte82 in reply to Praisepraise]

Try a water filter to remove unknowns from the water with the added benefit of improved taste plus retention of minerals. Also drink small amounts at a time throughout the day instead of attempting to drink a few large amounts. Check for natural diuretics that may be in your diet. Monitor how much you drink each day, what you thought was adequate may actually be coming up short.

[Praisepraise in reply to Pte82]

Helpful, thanks so much 👍🏽

Have you tried Alkaline Water? If so any noted benefits?

[Pte82 in reply to Praisepraise]

Before consuming alkaline water, especially with CKD, consider the role kidneys play in maintaining normal blood pH. Spring water would be a better choice. Do consult with your health care professional before consuming alkaline water.

[Hidden in reply to Praisepraise]

My wife has that same issue. For years she has been told to drink more and I try to get her to drink more water but she says it's hard for her.

[drmind]

I know, but keep trying. I try by using a straw sometimes and instead of sips each time I've learned to take long gulps. I believe not drinking plain water is just a habit that you can eventually break. Our society is so full of ads that offer everything but water to drink. Good luck

[Praisepraise in reply to drmind]

So true, so true. Thanks again, and keep on keeping on!

[drmind in reply to Praisepraise]

I drink (water) to that!👍

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador in reply to Praisepraise]

🤣🤣

[Praisepraise]

😂😂😂

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador]

I drink Spring water. I have a 25 oz sport bottle of spring water eg: Poland Springs next to my bed. When the alarm goes off I take thyroid medicine with a good amount of water as directed.

I may finish that bottle a bit later with my vitamins.

I drink at least another 24.5-25 oz sport bottle of spring water with 5 drops of lemon juice in it throughout the day.

I buy the pre-squeezed lemon juice that comes in the lemon shaped plastic container in the produce section of my grocery store.

I wash out my bottles and replace the water after use from a gallon jug after finishing one as its more cost efficient.

I sip as I go along. If it's an excessively hot day, I may drink a bit more.

My nephrologist has me take a shot glass of Gatorade Zero before breakfast. I wouldn't recommend that you drink any sport drinks without checking with your doctor.

Hope this helps!

Bet 🙂

[Praisepraise in reply to Bet117]

This has helped a lot! Super thanks and keep up the great job 👏🏽

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador in reply to Praisepraise]

You're very welcome! Let us all know how you are doing! 👍

[Hidden]

You must be a Fresenius patient. Thrive On!

[ThisAdventure]

Coconut water is a natural source of electrolytes without all the sugar and additives of the sports drinks - it is high in things like potassium and manganese. So see if that would be suitable for you, based on what you need and your doctor's advice. Some kidney patients can use it as an alternative to sports drinks after exercise if they're looking to replace electrolytes quickly and naturally.

For water, I drink tap water and use a plain charcoal stick to filter it (Kuru-bo brand is great but I'm sure there are others). And adding a few frozen blackberries or a few slices of strawberry/cucumber/orange, fresh mint or herbs, fresh passion fruit makes it much more exciting!

Tea is always helpful and there are so many natural flavours, often caffeine-free. You could try making your own iced tea where you know what goes in - you could also freeze ice cubes of tea and pop a whole bunch into water for an instant iced tea flavour.

Mostly-veg smoothies could also help keep you hydrated without all the additional sugar, if that has any appeal. Soups also help as they're mostly liquid.

Try experimenting with flavours you like so water doesn't seem like a chore. Good luck with finding the best approach for you!

[Blackknight1989]

Just stick to water, be careful with teas as they more often then not contain caffeine. While most don’t have near the caffeine as say coffee, it still isn’t good for the kidneys especially since you’ll consume much more of the waters as opposed to a cup of tea.