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If your doctor requires you to restrict your fluids, record the amount of liquids you drink every day. You may need to restrict your fluids to 8 quart cups, which is equal to 2 liters, or 66 ounces, every 24 hours.
Recording your fluid intake will help ensure that you are not taking in more or less fluids than expected and advised. It is a good idea to write down this information in your calendar. To record your fluid intake, you will need to read the number of cc or ml in common servings.
It is also important that you understand you could get fluid from food as well, not just from drinking. These foods include pudding, gelatin, all soups (thin or thick), popsicles, and ice cream, in addition to most vegetables and fruits, which also offer ample fluids. You should keep a record of daily fluid intake until you feel at ease with your fluid amount. You should monitor your fluid intake until you can figure it out without measuring liquids. One way to keep track of your fluid intake is that you fill a 2-quart pitcher or 2-liter soda bottle to the top with water and place it in an accessible place in the kitchen. Every time you drink or eat something that is fluid, you should remove the same amount of water from the pitcher or bottle. When the pitcher is empty, you have had your limit of fluids for the day.
Some doctor think that being thirsty does not mean your body needs more fluid. You need to be careful not to replace the fluids that diuretics have helped your body get rid of. However, you should monitor when your body feels thirst and when you need to have more fluid, since it is important for health. You should also know that nibbling on frozen grapes or strawberries, sucking on ice chips, a sucker, or a washcloth soaked in ice-cold water decreases the feeling of thirst. Cover your lips with petroleum jelly, flavored lip balm or lip moisturizer, suck on hard candy, chew gum, and avoid milk or ice cream products, if your goal is to lower your fluid intake. It would be smart to record your urine output, as recommended by your doctor. Recording your urine output will help ensure that you are not taking in more or less fluid than expected or planned.