Are you dehydrated?

WHAT IS DEHYDRATION? 
When we do not take in enough fluid, or we lose too much. It can be mild and barely noticeable or can be right up to losing 10% of body fluid which can be fatal. So if you are 70 kg, you may drop down to 63 kg in a matter of a week with severe gastroenteritis and head to severe dehydration. Keep an eye on your weight during these times. It can get dangerous before you know it.

WHAT CAUSES DEHYDRATION?
As a sufferer of IBD, you are ten times more likely to become dehydrated than the average person. In a study of 200 sufferers of Crohn’s, 64 percent did not know they were dehydrated. That means you are probably to some degree dehydrated right now.

YOU MAY BECOME DEHYDRATED IF

• You suffer from frequent or watery diarrhoea 
• You are not drinking enough water, because, for example, you are feeling nauseated or have lost your appetite through illness 
• You are losing more than usual amounts of water and salt through your skin because you are sweating excessively. This might be, for example, during hot weather or exercise, or because you have a fever
• .Your urine output is too high. This can happen if you have uncontrolled diabetes, are drinking too much caffeine, or are taking diuretic drugs (‘water tablets’ which increase the amount of urine you pass). 
• You have drunk too much alcohol. Alcohol is a diuretic, which increases the amount of urine you pass. 
• You are suffering from gastroenteritis, a stomach or bowel infection that can be caused by a virus or bacterial infection, or by food poisoning 
• You have had your colon removed. This affects your body’s ability to absorb fluid and electrolytes (essential salts such as potassium and sodium) from your diet.
• You have an ileostomy (or stoma) because the output from an ileostomy contains more water than normal stool. If your ileostomy has a high output - a loss of more than 1500 ml per day - you are at greater risk of becoming dehydrated.
• You have a very short bowel as a result of extensive surgery
• You have bile salt malabsorption. This can happen if you have Crohn’s in the ileum (the lower part of the small intestine), or you have had a resection in that area.

HOW WILL I KNOW IF I AM DEHYDRATED?

1. Bad Breath
2. Dry Skin
3. Muscle Cramps
4. Fever and Chills
5. Food Cravings, Especially for Sweets
6. Headaches

Try this skin test. Pinch the skin on top of your hand, and it should return to flat in less than a second.
Check your urine. Measure your output through the day. It should be a minimum of 1 litre.

If your symptoms are becoming severe and your urine output is minimal it probably time to call your Doctor or head to emergency.

TIPS FOR STAYING HYDRATED

• Keep your bottle handy and sip 2-3 litres of water per day depending on your activity levels
• Spice up plain water by adding your favourite piece of fruit 
• Try different teas. 
• Makeover your snacks. Raw veggies or fruit are packed with good absorbable water. 

​MAINTAINING HYDRATION WITH A STOMA- Your Gastro team should guide you in keeping everything in balance.
HYPONATREMIA (OVERHYDRATION) We can overdo it with Hydration, and this can be quite dangerous, but it is rare so keep sipping not gulping.
So, Drink up!

Remember if you have any questions then please feel free to email me at [email protected] or you can visit my Facebook Page at - My Crohn's Doctor

​Yours in Health and Wellness
Dr Michael

My Crohn's Doctor
www.mycrohnsdoctor.com

​LEGAL DISCLAIMER - This article (including links to any/all website pages, blog posts, blog comments, forum, videos, audio recordings, etc.) is not intended to replace the services of a physician, nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Information is provided for informational  purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use the information for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have an urgent medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider. Any application of the recommendations in this blog post is at the reader's discretion. My Crohn's Doctor and Dr Michael are not liable for any direct or indirect claim, loss or damage resulting from use of this blog. Readers should consult their own physicians concerning the recommendations in this article.