Why does hydration matter?

Staying hydrated is really important, regardless of whether you’re a “healthy person” or a person living with health issues. Dehydration can cause things like confusion, tiredness, muscle cramps, and headache, so it’s not a pleasant experience. If it gets severe, hospital admission may be required.

Electrolytes and water levels within the body go hand-in-hand. If we lose water from the body we also lose electrolytes, which are essential for the normal healthy function of our cells and our organs. Both physical and mental performance can be impacted by dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, too.

How much water you should drink is actually based on a number of factors such as your health, weight, the local climate, and how physically active you are. 

How do IBD and surgery impact hydration?

People with inflammatory bowel disease who suffer from diarrhoea are at increased risk of dehydration.

Staying hydrated may also be more difficult if you’ve had part of your intestine removed, especially during the summer months.

If you have had your colon (large intestine) removed, you will need to increase your daily salt intake too – speak to your healthcare professional for more information.

Hydration tips

Because electrolytes and dehydration go hand in hand, plain water simply might not be enough to fend it off. If you have short bowel syndrome, a high output stoma, or a Jpouch, a homemade oral rehydration solution (ORS) will probably be beneficial when you’re feeling dehydrated. Check out this St. Mark’s PDF which includes an ORS recipe! Those that have their whole digestive system intact can use this recipe. You can also buy electrolyte replacement tablets and sachets from most supermarkets, pharmacies, and online. Again, please check with a healthcare professional to find out what is suitable for you and your body.

I personally have to top up my electrolytes every day due to my ileostomy. In hot weather, I still find it really difficult to find the right balance and stay hydrated! I often don’t notice until my stoma is throwing out water.

Many people like to add fruit to water, which can definitely make it more appealing. However, please be aware that drinking too much water with things like lemon slices might actually contribute to dehydration because lemon is a natural diuretic. Plus, it’s erosive to teeth!

It can feel very confusing, so do quiz your IBD team about it if you need more information – that’s what they are there for! They will know your personal circumstances, so should be able to give more tailored advice than Dr. Google. You don’t need to rely solely on water to meet your fluid needs. Beverages such as juice and herbal teas are composed mostly of water and can contribute to your daily water intake. What you eat also provides a significant portion, so fruits and vegetables, particularly watermelon and spinach, are almost 100% water by weight. That said, water still IS your best bet.

Common symptoms of dehydration

• Dry, sticky mouth
• Increased thirst
• Light-headedness or feeling dizzy, especially when going from sitting to standing
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Passing less urine which is dark or strong smelling
• Muscle cramps

Your fluid intake is probably adequate if:

• You rarely feel thirsty
• Your urine is colourless or light yellow