Dehydration and GI Problems: Will You At Be Risk?
Are you thirsty right now? You could be after reading this article till the end. So, get yourself a glass of water and start reading.
This article will guide you through everything you need to know about dehydration and why it is so important to recognize the symptoms of dehydration if you have a digestive disorder.
Dehydration: What is it?
Your body needs a specific amount of fluid to carry out functions effectively. You normally lose fluid and take it in the form of liquids throughout the day to fulfill your needs. You become dehydrated when you don’t refill the liquid you lose.
Not drinking enough water while gardening on a hot day may result in mild dehydration. Severe dehydration can be fatal if not addressed.
Dehydration is especially dangerous for people with certain gastrointestinal (GI) problems.
How can GI conditions cause dehydration?
Dehydration can occur if your digestive problem causes diarrhea or vomiting (or in some cases, both).
IBD (Inflammatory bowel disease) and IBS-D (irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea) are two GI diseases that cause diarrhea.
Dehydration can also result from vomiting caused by such conditions. IBD, particularly Crohn’s disease, can lead to nausea and vomiting, as can a motility disorder termed gastroparesis.
You become dehydrated if you’ve severe vomiting or diarrhea and you’re unable to refill the lost fluids.
You’re dehydrated: How do you know?
Some common signs of mild or moderate dehydration you may have:
- Feeling thirsty all the time
- Scratchy and dry mouth
- Muscle cramps
- Frequent headaches
- Reduced urine production
- Urine color gets darker
Some common signs of severe dehydration you may have:
- Anxiety
- Low blood pressure
- Less sensation of thirst
- Fast heartbeat
- Feeling Faint
- Extremely dry skin
- Loss of memory
- Very dark-colored urine production
- Heavy breathing
Note: These are the symptoms of severe dehydration, immediately call 9-1-1 if you’re facing any of these.
What should you do if you’re dehydrated?
Severe dehydration can cause serious damage to health as it could lead to coma or even death. So, you must talk to your doctor immediately if you’ve become dehydrated.
Your doctor will examine your heartbeat, and blood pressure and take a physical test to look for apparent signs. He may also take your blood and urine tests if needed.
After that, your doctor will evaluate whether you need to be hospitalized or if you can manage your dehydration at home.
The two most common strategies to handle dehydration are sipping water and consuming electrolyte drinks frequently. You can get assistance from a licensed dietitian to recommend your fluid needs to cure and prevent dehydration.
How can you prevent dehydration?
It’s best to prevent dehydration than to treat it.
If you’re facing diarrhea or vomiting, you should consume plenty of fluids to prevent yourself from severe dehydration. You should start consuming enough water every day so you can prepare yourself for unexpected fluid loss.
If you’re experiencing dehydration that is caused by a digestive problem, you may consult with your doctor and healthcare staff to address your GI symptoms to avoid future problems.
While you can easily treat your mild to moderate dehydration at home, it’s critical to follow your doctor’s instructions to avoid further dehydration. To deal with your condition, you should know how to handle and prevent dehydration.
Don’t put off drinking till you’re thirsty. Get yourself a drink NOW and remain hydrated!