Gastrointestinal Diseases
Dehydration and Gastrointestinal Disease
The risk of dehydration is high for people with various GI conditions, including:- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Short Bowel Syndrome
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Therefore, it’s critical for people with these conditions to maintain a balance of fluids and electrolytes to stay properly hydrated. Dehydration is caused when the body loses fluids faster than they are replaced. Several conditions speed up the loss of fluids, and subsequently, the loss of electrolytes. Although dehydration may not affect all patients, several common symptoms of GI diseases can increase the risk for dehydration:
- Frequent, watery diarrhea
- Vomiting accelerates fluid and electrolyte loss
- Diminished water intake due to loss of appetite or nausea
- Increased fluid and electrolyte loss due to excessive sweating or fever
- Diuretics like some prescription drugs and alcohol increase fluid loss
- GI tract surgeries that create a very short bowel or that include removal of the colon diminish the body’s ability to absorb fluids and/or electrolytes
- High-output ileostomies have more water than a normal stool and can lead to dehydration
How DripDrop Hydrates
