Controlling Fluids
It’s important to keep your fluid level under control. Too much fluid can end up in your lungs, making it hard to breathe. If your body is holding on to too much fluid, you will see signs like weight gain, higher blood pressure, or swelling. Over time, too much fluid can also hurt your heart and lead to heart failure.
Your doctor will tell you how much fluid is healthy for you to drink each day. Your care team will tell you what you can do if you notice your treatment is not getting rid of enough fluid.
What are fluids?
A fluid is anything that is liquid or anything that would melt if left at room temperature. Some examples are:
- Alcohol (drink only with your doctor’s permission)
- Coffee and Tea and other hot beverages
- Gelatin (Jell-O) (1/2 Cup = 1/2 Cup fluid = 4 ounces)
- Gravy
- Ice cream, sherbet, sorbet (1/2 Cup = 1/2 Cup fluid = 4 ounces)
- Ice cubes, ice chips (1 Cup = 1/2 Cup fluid = 4 ounces)
- Milk, liquid creamer
- Nutritional supplements
- Popsicles (1 twin stick = 1/4 Cup fluid = 2 ounces)
- Vegetable and fruit juices
- Soft drinks, lemonade, limeade
- Soups
- Syrup
- Water for drinking and taking medicine
If you do need to limit your fluid intake, here are some tips and ideas to help control your thirst as well:
Limiting fluids
- Drink only when you’re thirsty
- Don’t drink to be social or out of habit
- Drink from a small glass or cup
- Drain canned fruits and vegetables
- Stay active so you don’t think about drinking
- Put drinks in the refrigerator to be chilled instead of adding ice
- Take your medicine with mealtime liquids, or even applesauce or other soft foods
- Don’t drink from a fountain where you can’t measure what you’re drinking
Controlling thirst
- Control your blood glucose (sugar) level if you have diabetes (high blood sugar can make you thirsty)
- Limit sweets
- Brush your teeth more often to feel refreshed
- Stay out of the sun if it makes you more thirsty
- Suck on a lemon wedge. You can freeze it first if you like.
- Eat less sodium (salt)
- Rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash but don’t swallow it
- Suck on a few ice chips. Ice stays in your mouth longer than water.
- Eat sugar-free sour candy or chew gum to wet your mouth.
- Eat frozen fruit like grapes, peaches, or pineapple chunks (make sure to count these as part of your fruit allowance)
- Try eating something like bread with margarine or jelly
