A fluid restriction diet is a diet which limits the amount of daily fluid consumption. Besides beverages, many foods also include fluids which needs to be taken into consideration. A fluid-restrictive diet assists in preventing the build-up of fluids in the body. Reducing fluid intake can alleviate stress on the body and may reduce additional complications. A fluid restriction diet is generally medically advised for patients with "heart problems, renal disease, liver damage including

cirrhosis Cirrhosis, also known as liver cirrhosis or hepatic cirrhosis, and end-stage liver disease, is the impaired liver function caused by the formation of scar tissue known as fibrosis due to damage caused by liver disease. Damage causes tissue rep ...

, endocrine and adrenal gland issues, elevated stress hormones and hyponatremia". Patients with heart failure are recommended to restrict fluid intake down to 2 quarts per day. Foods such as gelatin,

ice cream Ice cream is a sweetened frozen food typically eaten as a snack or dessert. It may be made from milk or cream and is flavoured with a sweetener, either sugar or an alternative, and a spice, such as cocoa or vanilla, or with fruit such as ...

yogurt Yogurt (; , from tr, yoğurt, also spelled yoghurt, yogourt or yoghourt) is a food produced by bacterial fermentation of milk. The bacteria used to make yogurt are known as ''yogurt cultures''. Fermentation of sugars in the milk by these bac ...

, soups, sauces and watery fruit need to be limited. It is recommended that patients on fluid restriction maintain a log to track daily fluid intake. Symptoms of fluid build up due to underlying heart issues include, increased blood pressure, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, bloating, swelling and nausea. Patients with

terminal illness Terminal illness or end-stage disease is a disease that cannot be cured or adequately treated and is expected to result in the death of the patient. This term is more commonly used for progressive diseases such as cancer, dementia or advanced h ...

may refuse both nutrition and hydration.

Effectiveness

Partial fluid restriction can be used as therapy, but has the disadvantages of being difficult to maintain, and it is often ineffective. Drugs causing increased diuresis (

diuretic A diuretic () is any substance that promotes diuresis, the increased production of urine. This includes forced diuresis. A diuretic tablet is sometimes colloquially called a water tablet. There are several categories of diuretics. All diuretics i ...

s) is generally an alternative, and have less risk of causing decreased

glomerular filtration rate Renal functions include maintaining an acid–base balance; regulating fluid balance; regulating sodium, potassium, and other electrolytes; clearing toxins; absorption of glucose, amino acids, and other small molecules; regulation of blood pre ...

through the kidneys and resultant decreased

kidney function Assessment of kidney function occurs in different ways, using the presence of symptoms and signs, as well as measurements using urine tests, blood tests, and medical imaging. Functions of a healthy kidney include maintaining a person's fluid ...

. Fluid restriction is occasionally a practice in management of heart failure. However, according to a scientific review in 2009, there is no evidence of benefit of fluid restriction in patients with clinically stable heart failure otherwise receiving optimal pharmacological treatment. Rather, diuretics are preferred in heart failure, mainly

ACE inhibitors Angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) are a class of medication used primarily for the treatment of high blood pressure and heart failure. They work by causing relaxation of blood vessels as well as a decrease in blood volume ...

, with substantial evidence of improving survival and quality of life in heart failure patients. Theoretically, fluid restriction could also correct the

electrolyte imbalance Electrolyte imbalance, or water-electrolyte imbalance, is an abnormality in the concentration of electrolytes in the body. Electrolytes play a vital role in maintaining homeostasis in the body. They help to regulate heart and neurological function, ...

hyponatremia Hyponatremia or hyponatraemia is a low concentration of sodium in the blood. It is generally defined as a sodium concentration of less than 135 mmol/L (135 mEq/L), with severe hyponatremia being below 120 mEq/L. Symptoms can be a ...

, but again, diuretics, mainly

vasopressin receptor antagonist A vasopressin receptor antagonist (VRA) is an agent that interferes with action at the vasopressin receptors. Most commonly VRAs are used in the treatment of hyponatremia, especially in patients with congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis or SIAD ...

s, show better efficiency. Nevertheless, in hyponatremia secondary to

SIADH Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) is characterized by excessive unsuppressible release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) either from the posterior pituitary gland, or an abnormal non-pituitary source. Unsuppressed ADH ca ...

, long-term fluid restriction (of 1,200–1,800 mL/day) in addition to diuretics is standard treatment.

References

{{Diets Diets

Effectiveness

See also

References