PIL: Hydration
Date issued: October 2019
For review: October 2021
Ref: C-326/renal/JM/Hydrationv2
PDF: Hydration Leaflet [pdf] 225KB
Good hydration
Good hydration can assist in the management and prevention of many medical conditions. Good hydration can help to prevent:
- Constipation.
- Dizziness and confusion.
- Headaches.
- Low blood pressure.
- Urinary tract infections.
- Incontinence.
- Kidney and gallstones.
- Pressure ulcers.
- Skin conditions.
- Heart disease.
What should you be drinking?
You should be aiming to drink 1.6-2 litres (6-8 glasses) of fluid a day.
Any fluid counts (excluding alcohol) however it is better to avoid too many sugary drinks as these are bad for your health or drinks containing caffeine as these can make you pass more urine.
Exceptions
In some cases (for instance in heart failure and renal failure) these recommendations may not apply. Your doctor or nurse can tell you if this applies to you.
Dehydration
Dehydration is the loss of body water which upsets the delicate balance of minerals that enable your body to function properly.
Dehydration normally occurs by not drinking enough fluid or by losing fluid and not replacing it (for example with diarrhoea and vomiting or excess sweating).
Possible signs and symptoms of dehydration
- Dark urine.
- Passing less urine than usual.
- Light headedness.
- Headaches and tiredness.
- Dry mouth, lips or eyes.
- Lack of concentration.
- Confusion.
- Feeling thirsty.
Checking your urine is an easy way to check how hydrated you are. Use the urine chart to score your urine and see if you need to drink more.
Tips to maintain good hydration
- Drink regularly don’t wait until you feel thirsty to have a drink. Thirst is a late response to dehydration.
- Opt for drinks that you enjoy this way you’re more likely to meet the daily required intake.
- Take a bottle with you on the go
- Use a measuring jug to discover the volume of your cups/glasses at home.
- Increase your fluid intake earlier in the day if you’re concerned about having to get up to pass urine overnight.
- Around 20% of our daily intake of fluid is contained within our food. If you find it difficult to increase the amount you drink, try opting for foods high in fluid such as fruits, vegetables and soups.
- During exercise drink at 10-15 minute intervals.
- Increase your fluid intake during warm weather.
- If you’re suffering from diarrhoea, vomiting or a fever increase your fluid intake to replace the fluid lost.
- Keep an eye on your urine and other signs of dehydration.
This leaflet uses information originally produced by South Essex Partnership University Foundation Trust and Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
For further information
- NHS Choices
- RCN Hydration Toolkit
- Think Kidneys
