What causes dehydration in Crohn’s Disease and in Ulcerative Colitis? Inflammation from either Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis can inhibit adequate water and electrolyte absorption (magnesium, sodium, zinc, phosphorus, potassium), causing dehydration. Other IBD related factors that can contribute to dehydration include: Frequent/watery diarrhea Ongoing inflammation & fevers Loss of appetite & desire for fluids Caffeine intake due to fatigue History of surgery, short bowel syndrome, and stoma placement J-pouch surgery or ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) surgery can also increase the risk for dehydration. This is because the colon, or large intestine is responsible for water and electrolyte absorption. Vomiting can also increase a patient’s risk for dehydration in the presence of an obstruction or blockage. Other conditions that can cause dehydration include infections, bile-acid malabsorption, and gastroenteritis since diarrhea is common in these scenarios. What can you do when dehydration kicks in? If experiencing signs and symptoms of dehydration (as mentioned previously), drink plenty of fluids to avoid exacerbating your symptoms. If dehydration is not treated, it can lead to worse outcomes and also affect your kidneys and blood pressure. First and foremost, drink plenty of fluids and avoid beverages that can worsen dehydration including caffeinated beverages (coffee, sodas, […]
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