Staying hydrated when you have Crohn’s is important. Being creative with liquids in your diet, monitoring your fluid intake, and adding electrolyte supplements can all help.
Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It features chronic inflammation in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract, most notably in the small and large intestines.
Diarrhea, stomach pain, and weight loss are all hallmark symptoms of Crohn’s. With those can come secondary complications like dehydration.
Chronic diarrhea in Crohn’s can cause you to lose fluids and important electrolytes before they’re absorbed, upsetting the balance of hydration in your body.
It’s also possible that abdominal pain might make you less likely to eat or drink during the day.
Staying hydrated when you live with Crohn’s is important. Every cell in your body needs water to function properly. Dehydration — when your body doesn’t have enough water — can negatively affect your mental and physical health.
Everyone’s water needs are different. Your age, health, environment, and activity level all matter and factor into what you need.
In general, The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends:
- 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women
- 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) a day for men
This includes the water you get from solid foods and all beverages.
To help increase the amount of water in your diet, consider adding foods that have a liquid base, like smoothies, shakes, and broths.
Foods with high water content, like strawberries, cucumbers, and watermelon, may also help, as long as they align with your Crohn’s disease diet plan.
If you aren’t keeping track of how much water you’re consuming, it’s hard to know if you’re actually meeting your hydration needs. Tracking programs, phone apps, or simply writing down your foods and beverages can help.
Plus, the more aware you are, the more proactive you can be.
You’re much more likely to drink regularly if a water bottle is on hand.
In a 2022 research report, forgetting to hydrate, a lack of access, and effort were all listed as barriers to hydration habits.
You can make hydration more accessible by:
- placing water bottles strategically around your home
- having a carry-with bottle
- leaving a drinking cup by each sink
- bringing a portable cup with you when you travel
Water intake is just one part of the hydration equation in Crohn’s disease.
Because IBD affects your intestinal lining and how quickly stool moves through your GI tract, your body may not properly absorb important minerals called electrolytes.
Electrolytes, like magnesium, sodium, and potassium, help regulate the use of water in your body. When electrolytes become unbalanced, you may not fully benefit from your water intake even if you’re consuming enough.
Electrolyte supplements come in many different forms — from premade drinks available in grocery stores to concentrated powders and gummies favored by endurance athletes.
It’s important to make sure you drink plenty of water along with an electrolyte supplement. It’s all about balance. Too-high levels of electrolytes can also have negative effects on your fluid levels.
Water doesn’t get enough credit. It has zero calories, so it’s good for weight management, and it provides essential support to the health of your body without any additives or alterations.
The same can’t be said for other types of drinks.
A 2019 research analysis found high soft drink intake was associated with an increased risk of developing Crohn’s. According to the researchers, the high sugar and carbohydrate content of soft drinks likely contributes to inflammation in the intestines and changes in gut microbiota.
A study from 2022 concluded that people with Crohn’s who preferred water had a lower risk for active Crohn’s symptoms.
If diarrhea is a common source of dehydration for you, speaking with a doctor can help.
Symptoms of Crohn’s, including diarrhea, can improve with consistent treatment, and there may be immediate relief strategies a doctor can recommend, like modifying your diet or adding antidiarrheal products.
The American College of Gastroenterology, for example, suggests avoiding dairy products for 24 to 48 hours if you’re having diarrhea, as dairy may make it worse.
Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects your GI tract. It’s known for causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss.
Watery stools and changes in your digestive system can promote dehydration in Crohn’s, but awareness is the first step toward protecting your hydration.
Once you understand how important your water intake is, you can be proactive about it by tracking your fluid consumption, improving the accessibility of beverages, and becoming creative about incorporating liquids into your diet.