It can be a touchy subject for some people. The best strategy is to drink water to keep your kidneys happy and healthy rather than causing more damage from the start.
The best water to drink for kidney disease can be determined by looking at the kidneys and what makes them healthy. First, do you know how much a person should drink every day? The answer varies depending on your activity level, weight, age, etc., but in general, it would not hurt to try drinking around 64 oz (eight glasses) of water. Excess alcohol affects your kidney health.
What Is a Kidney Disease?
A kidney disease is a condition that affects how your kidneys work. The kidneys’ main job is to remove wastes and excess fluid from the body. When you have kidney disease, this process becomes impaired. You may start to feel sick and tired, and you may also notice changes in your urine.
What Are the Types of Kidney Disease?
There are two main types of kidney disease: acute and chronic.
- Acute kidney disease is a sudden, short-term condition that can develop from an infection, injury, or other problem.
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a long-term condition that gradually gets worse over time.
Several risk factors for developing CKD include high blood pressure, diabetes, family history of kidney disease, and age 60 or older.
Getting your kidneys checked regularly is essential if you have any of these risk factors. Early detection and treatment of kidney disease can help prevent further damage and improve your quality of life.
What are the causes of Kidney Disease?
There are many different causes of kidney disease. Some of the most common causes include:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Kidney stones
- Urinary tract infections
- Being Alcoholic
Must Read: Does Alcohol Affect Kidneys?
What are the symptoms?
The most common symptoms of CKD include:
- feeling very tired and weak,
- nausea and vomiting,
- changes in urine output (such as less urine than usual),
- and swelling in the feet, ankles, legs, or stomach area.
The good news is that most of these symptoms can be treated by following a healthy diet plan with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables (five to nine servings per day) and keeping your weight within an optimal range for your height/body type.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please consult with your health care provider.
What are some of the benefits of Drinking water if you have Kidney Disease?
The main benefit is that it helps your kidneys work better and make you feel healthier over time. The other positive effect is that if there is already damage to the kidneys, drinking plenty of water reduces this impact by flushing out the toxins.
How much water should I drink to help my kidneys?
Again, this answer will vary depending on your circumstances. However, drinking around 64 oz (eight glasses) of water each day is an excellent place to start. And remember to drink plenty of fluids other than just water – including juice and broth – to keep your kidneys healthy and functioning correctly.
Now that you understand more about kidney disease, it’s essential to know how to manage your kidneys. Here are a few essential tips:
- Drink plenty of fresh fluids, including water, juice, and broth.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol, as they can be hard on the kidneys.
- Consult with your healthcare provider before changing your diet or fluid intake.
- Follow a healthy diet plan with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables (five to nine servings per day).
- Keep your weight within an optimal range for your height/body type.
- Get your kidneys checked regularly, especially if you have any risk factors for developing CKD.
Why is water important in kidney disease?
Water is essential to drink because it helps the kidneys flush out toxins from the body. The kidneys need plenty of water to function correctly, so it’s crucial for people with kidney disease to drink enough each day.
In addition, drinking fluids can help prevent or reduce swelling in the feet and ankles, common in people with kidney disease. Drinking plenty of fluids can also help you feel more energetic and less nauseous.
If you have trouble drinking enough fluids, try adding some flavor to your water by adding a squeeze of lemon or lime, or drink herbal tea instead. And remember to always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet or fluid intake.
What type of water should you drink for Kidney Disease?
The best water to drink for Kidney Disease is Water with low mineral content. The ideal pH of the water would be somewhere around seven, but it will vary depending on your location and your drinking water source. The problem here is that most people do not know what minerals are in their local tap or well-water supply and cannot find out. The best thing to do is buy an inexpensive water test kit and see the pH of your drinking water at home. If it falls in line with most tap or well-water supplies (seven), then you are probably okay there.
The next thing that causes problems with the kidneys is the minerals in the drinking water. You will want to make sure that you drink soft (low mineral content) water when possible. The problem here is not all people have access to delicate water supplies. If the pH of your local supply came back as either too high or too low, you need to either look into getting a home filter for your tap water or buy distilled bottled water.
What type of drinks should you avoid when suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease?
There are many different drinks you can enjoy while living with Chronic Kidney Disease. In general, you should avoid caffeine, sugary drinks, and alcoholic beverages. However, there are plenty of other options available to you.
Here are some of the best drinks for people with Chronic Kidney Disease:
- Water is always a good choice, and you can enjoy it plain or add a slice of lemon or lime for added flavor. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids each day to help keep your kidneys functioning properly.
- Tea is a great choice, especially if you like flavored varieties. Green tea is a good choice as it is high in antioxidants and has a mild flavor. However, be sure to avoid black tea and other caffeinated teas, as they can be hard on your kidneys.
- Herbal teas are also a good option, as they are caffeine-free and come in many different flavors. Some of the best herbal teas for people with Chronic Kidney Disease include chamomile, ginger, and lavender.
- Juices are an excellent way to get your daily dose of fruits and vegetables, and they come in many different flavors. Be sure to choose 100% fruit or vegetable juices, as they are lower in sugar than juice drinks.
- Soda can be a good choice if you are looking for a sweet drink. However, you’ll want to choose one that is low in sugar and sodium, which can be harmful to your kidneys. There are many different types of soda available, so try a few kinds and see what you like best.
- Grain and dairy-based drinks such as milk and soy milk can be good choices for people with Chronic Kidney Disease. They are high in protein and calcium, essential for maintaining healthy bones.
- Water is the best drink for Chronic Kidney Disease, but other beverages mentioned can be enjoyed occasionally. Try a variety of drinks and find what you like best! Be sure to avoid caffeine, sugary drinks, and alcoholic drinks, as they can harm your kidneys.
Drinks to avoid if you have Kidney Disease:
- Chocolate Milk
- Vitamin Water and Energy Drinks
- Soda and Soda Mixes
- Juice Drinks: Most juice drinks are very high in sugar and should be avoided if you have Chronic Kidney Disease. The high sugar levels can strain your kidneys, which are already working hard to filter your blood.
- Milkshakes: Most milkshakes are high in sugar and fat, which can harm your kidneys. If you choose to drink a milkshake, be sure to choose one lower in sugar and fat.
- Coffee: Drinking coffee can be very harmful to your kidneys if you have Chronic Kidney Disease. Drinking more than 3 cups of coffee a day has been shown to cause kidney damage and increased blood pressure in some people with Chronic Kidney Disease.
- Tea: Drinking black tea and other caffeinated teas can be harmful to your kidneys if you have Chronic Kidney Disease. Try drinking green tea or herbal teas instead.
- Alcohol: Drinking alcohol can be very harmful to your kidneys, even in small quantities. Limit yourself to one drink every other day if you choose to drink.
- Citrus: Drinking fruit juices high in vitamin C can harm your kidneys because of their acidity. Limit yourself to one 8 oz glass of fruit juice a day if you have Chronic Kidney Disease.
- MSG: Monosodium glutamate is a flavor enhancer found in many processed foods and fast food items, including Chinese food. MSG can be harmful to your kidneys, so it is best to avoid it if you have Chronic Kidney Disease.
- Sugar: Consuming too much sugar can be harmful to your kidneys. Try to limit the number of sugary foods and drinks you consume each day.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the presence of kidney damage or disease for three or more months. CKD stages are based on the Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR), which measures how well your kidneys filter waste out of your blood.
The earlier you get tested, the sooner you can start treatment that will help protect your kidneys and improve overall health. Treatment for CKD may include medications, diet, and lifestyle changes.
Is it true that drinking alcohol causes kidney disease?
There is a link between alcohol consumption and an increased risk for kidney disease, so it’s best to avoid drinking alcoholic beverages if you have kidney problems.
Excessive alcohol consumption can damage the kidneys over time and increase the risk of developing renal failure. It’s also important to be aware that alcohol can interfere with the effectiveness of medications used to treat kidney disease.
Is it possible for you to cure your kidney disease if you stop consuming alcohol?
There is no cure for kidney disease, but by making dietary and lifestyle changes, you may slow the progression of the disease. Quitting alcohol will not cure your kidney disease, but it will help improve your overall health and wellbeing. In addition, following a healthy diet and getting regular exercise can help keep your kidneys functioning well.
How to clean up kidneys?
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Eat a diet that includes lots of fresh vegetables and fruits.
- Exercise regularly – it can help flush out toxins from your system.
- Aim for 8 hours of sleep each night, as this will allow your kidneys to rest
- Cut back on caffeine intake, which can make kidney problems worse.
- Stay away from alcohol since it is high in calories and may cause dehydration; if you must drink alcohol, limit yourself to 1 or 2 drinks per day at most.
- Avoid smoking, as it can also cause kidney problems.
Ways to relieve pain caused by kidney stones
There are a few things you can do to help relieve the pain caused by kidney stones, including:
- Drinking lots of fluids,
- Taking over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen,
- Applying a heating pad to the area that is hurting, and
- Rinsing with cool water.
- For long-term relief, it’s crucial to manage the underlying cause of kidney stones by changing your diet and increasing your fluid intake.
If you are experiencing pain, discomfort, or other symptoms due to kidney stones, please seek advice from your doctor for diagnosis and treatment options that are right for you. If you have been diagnosed with kidney stones, please follow your doctor’s treatment plan.
You can rad more on this paper published in BMJ journal. [link]
If you are looking for more information on how to take care of your kidneys, please consult with your health care provider. They will provide you with personalized advice based on your circumstances.
Fred Strahl