Hi doctor, My dad has been diagnosed with aggressive mesothelioma cancer. He is very frail and on leaving the hospital, he suffered with low sodium. He constantly asks for water and I am not sure whether we are giving him enough to drink or giving him too much. His urine output is usually from 500 mL to 1000 mL. Is this normal? I am concerned for two reasons. If we did not give him enough water, then he may get dehydrated. If we give him too much water with his condition, then his lungs will get filled with water and he will have to get a drainage. Please help.
Hello. The water he drinks will not affect the drain output until and unless the heart failure component is there. However, when sodium is low we usually restrict water intake depending on the cause of less sodium. Has he received chemotherapy? Sodium could be lower because of the cancer itself. Your intake should be based on output and sodium levels. If he is too frail, then it is suggested to make him comfortable. For further information consult a medical oncologist online -->