Facts:
- Approximately 60% of the human body is water
- Individual body water varies with age and with the amount of adipose tissue (fat) stored in the body. As the amount of adipose tissue increases, the percentage of body water falls.
- Women tend to store more adipose tissue than men and a female’s body weight is approximately 55% water.
- A newborn infant’s body weight is approximately 75% water and this percentage declines steadily until the age of one year when body water makes up 60% of body weight, the same as an adult.
- The human body needs a fluid intake of 2 litres to function well.
See animation on fluid intake – Kidney Patient Guide
Excess of water in the body causes high blood pressure, ultimately heart disease. The water access causes body to swell, starting at the ankles and spreading into the body. The excess of water, if not treated will settle in the lungs determining life-threatening condition called pulmonary oedema.
A kidney that is not well functioning will not be able balance the fluid intake, therefore depending on the stage of your illness, you will be asked to balance your fluid intake.
Read more about a balanced diet.
Contact your local team
- Contact your Salford Royal nursing team and ask to speak with a dietician 0161 206 1882
- Join Hope Kidney Patients Association using the contact form
Tell other patients about your experience writing a Blog..
If you require further information, please tell us using the form below
how much fluid should I be taking a day my kidneys are working at 17pcent
Hi homan1945
The amount of fluid a person is encouraged to take or restricted to, depends on different variables such as how much urine you are passing, how well your kidneys are working and whether you have other symptoms or health problems. There is no standard answer and the best advice is to ask this question to your doctor when you next see them at the clinic or ring for advice to the nursing team or your GP if you are concerned.
Paula