How to Take Control of Crohn’s Flare-Ups

Diarrhea and other symptoms of Crohn’s disease can leave an individual dehydrated, which can lead to feelings of weakness and fatigue. Over time, chronic dehydration can do damage to the kidneys, or lead to painful kidney stones that must be passed. Ensuring that the individual is drinking enough water can help avoid these consequences, and it is a generally good rule to drink water after exercising, or during flare-ups.

Hydrating can come in different forms, not necessarily in drinking water. Individuals should be aiming to drink water specifically, but certain herbal teas and clear liquids can also hydrate. Many will have heard of drinking 8 eight-ounce cups of water throughout the day. While this is a good general practice, it may be more accurate to calculate water requirements based on weight. One standard practice is drinking a half ounce of liquid per pound of body weight, in other words, 50 fluid ounces per 100 pounds of body weight.