Tools · Hemodialysis
IDWG — Inter-dialytic weight gain
The fluid you gain between dialysis sessions, as a % of your dry weight. Clinical guidance: keep IDWG under 3% of dry weight to avoid blood-pressure swings on the chair.
Why IDWG matters
- Cramps + hypotension. More fluid to remove means faster removal — your blood pressure can crash during the session, and your muscles can cramp.
- Worse cardiac outcomes. Chronic high IDWG (> 5%) is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy and higher mortality on dialysis.
- Long recovery. Patients who lose 3+ kg in a session often feel washed out for the rest of the day.
If your IDWG is too high
- 1. Watch salt — sodium drives thirst more than anything.
- 2. Spread fluids across the day; don't front-load.
- 3. Ice chips, frozen grapes, or chewing gum help cravings without much fluid.
- 4. Avoid soup-heavy meals on non-dialysis days.
See also the fluid-budget calculator and the renal diet guide's fluids section.