Managing dehydration with a stoma | by Angelina

Living with a stoma can bring lots of new challenges; one of the biggest for me is staying hydrated. After stoma surgery, your body absorbs fluids differently, especially if you have an ileostomy like myself. This can make dehydration more likely, but with a few mindful habits, I manage to keep hydration levels steady.

When I first had my stoma, I didn’t realise just how important staying hydrated was. Dehydration made me feel tired, gave me headaches, a dry mouth, and even made me feel dizzy. I soon learned that this happens because your stoma changes how your body absorbs fluids and electrolytes. Your bowel doesn’t take in water as efficiently, so it’s easy to lose more fluid through your stoma output… especially on hot days or during exercise.

Over time, I’ve found some simple ways to help prevent dehydration and keep my energy up. One of my favourites is eating fruits and vegetables with a high water content, things like watermelon, cucumber etc.

I also cannot be without Lucozade or other electrolyte drinks when I feel like I’m running low on fluids. These are a life saver when my output is higher than usual. The sugar and salts in drinks like Lucozade help replace electrolytes lost through stoma output, supporting better fluid absorption than plain water alone. That said, I try to drink these in moderation, as too much sugar can sometimes increase output too. 

Everyone’s body reacts differently, so it’s important to find what works best for you. I’ve learned that drinking smaller amounts of fluid throughout the day, rather than gulping large glasses all at once is what helps me. 

Warm herbal teas, diluted fruit juices or oral rehydration solutions can also be gentle ways to stay hydrated.

Managing hydration with a stoma is a bit of a learning curve, but your body gives clear signals when it needs more fluid. Paying attention to your energy levels, stoma output and urine colour can help you stay one step ahead.

Thanks for reading,
Ange
@thebaglife_