| Theme |
Abnormal Blood Pressure in Dialysis Patients |
| Title |
Low salt diet for dialysis patients |
| Author |
Hiroyuki Suzuki |
First Department of Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Akihiko Kato |
Division of Blood Purification, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] |
Low salt diets are beneficial for dialysis patients because of the role of salt restriction in the management of hypertension and interdialytic weight gain. Anuric hemodialysis patients will need to take in approximately 1 l of water for every 8 g salt consumed. Patients who restrict salt intake to < 6 g/day should gain no more than 0.8 kg/day. Low salt diets may also be beneficial in terms of decreasing intradialytic hypotension, left ventricular mass, and mortality. Taste disturbances from uremia, zinc deficiency, sialoschesis, and medications makes salt restriction more difficult in some patients. Education concerning dietary salt intake should be provided for staff members, families and patients. Close monitoring of overall condition should be conducted because low salt diets may be linked to lower nutrient intake. |