Fluid restriction: Overview
A buildup of fluid in the body can cause low sodium levels in the blood. It may also cause symptoms such as swelling and pain. Your doctor may suggest that you limit liquids, including foods that contain a lot of liquid. Limiting liquids is called fluid restriction.
Limiting the amount of fluids you take in can help balance sodium levels in your body. Your doctor will tell you how much fluid you can have in a day.
Why is it important to limit fluids when you have heart failure?
With heart failure, having too much fluid in your body can lower sodium levels in the blood. It can also cause symptoms such as swelling. You may have to limit fluids if you need to maintain your body's sodium balance.
Not everyone who has heart failure needs to limit fluids. Most people don't need to limit their fluids until heart failure is advanced or severe.
Tracking your fluids when you have heart failure
With heart failure, having too much fluid in your body can cause low sodium levels in the blood. If your doctor tells you to limit fluids, it can help maintain sodium levels in your body.
There are a number of ways you can track how many fluids you are drinking when you have heart failure. Find a method that works for you.
- Write down each amount you drink.
You might simply write down how much you drink every time you drink. Be sure you know how much fluid your drinking glass or other container holds.
- Use a separate container for tracking.
- Get an empty container that holds the amount of fluid you are allowed for the day.
- As you drink fluids, put an equal amount of water into the container until you reach your fluid limit. Be sure to include smaller amounts of fluids, such as teaspoons. Also include any food that will melt, that has a high water content, or that contains a lot of liquid. These foods include ice cream, gelatin, ice, juicy fruits, and soup.
- When the container is full, you have reached your fluid limit and should stop drinking fluids.
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