why is often said that people who have an ostomy dehydrate more than usual? i only drink about half pint of fluid all day and been ok so far
erika
Sep 28, 2010 9:02 am
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Tiggy
Sep 29, 2010 8:47 pm
I'm not a medical professional, but I believe that in the case of an ileostomy, the reason you need to remain vigilant concerning hydration is because the colon is the organ which is mainly responsible for absorbing fluids. If you don't have a colon, your body is not as adept at attaining the fluids necessary to maintain homeostasis (balance) and good health. I can't speak for how much or how little your body needs fluids, but if you are *feeling* okay, and your doctor says it's alright, then I wouldnt' fuss over it too much.
I can speak from experience though and say that if you should ever get any kind of gastrointestinal bug, start drinking water, sucking on popsicles, ice cubes, soups - anything to keep your fluids up! My husband had his ileostomy for five months when our whole house became suddenly ill with what we later found out was a Norovirus. Every one of us got over it with little problem, except for my husband. He ended up in isolation in the hospital with what they were calling "acute renal failure" - and this after only one day of vomiting and violent diarrhea. I mean, when you're talking about kidney failure, this is not something to play around with....
He made a full and total recovery in a matter of days, once the virus had run it's course and he was IV hydrated. But still, don't mess with the prospect of dehydration. It's not pretty and sometimes doesn't take long for someone with an ostomy...
I can speak from experience though and say that if you should ever get any kind of gastrointestinal bug, start drinking water, sucking on popsicles, ice cubes, soups - anything to keep your fluids up! My husband had his ileostomy for five months when our whole house became suddenly ill with what we later found out was a Norovirus. Every one of us got over it with little problem, except for my husband. He ended up in isolation in the hospital with what they were calling "acute renal failure" - and this after only one day of vomiting and violent diarrhea. I mean, when you're talking about kidney failure, this is not something to play around with....
He made a full and total recovery in a matter of days, once the virus had run it's course and he was IV hydrated. But still, don't mess with the prospect of dehydration. It's not pretty and sometimes doesn't take long for someone with an ostomy...
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erika
Sep 29, 2010 9:30 pm
few years , some days i go mad and will have about a pint of liquid then other days i ll have my usual half a glass dont have alcohol, tea or coffe
Tiggy
Sep 29, 2010 9:38 pm
Well if you're feeling just fine, and your doctor isn't worried, then I see no problem here. Just always be mindful of the symptoms of dehydration, and try to at least sip fluids with your meals, etc.
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