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Hydration Guide For People With a Stoma

Staying well hydrated helps regulate your body and carry nutrients. For people with an ileostomy, colostomy or urostomy, it’s especially important. This guide shares key signs of dehydration and simple ways to stay hydrated with the right drinks and foods.

Master hydration when living with a stoma

Staying hydrated and drinking enough fluid is key, especially when you have a stoma. But do you know how much fluid you really need?

Our hydration guide covers:

✅ Why drinking fluid is important for temperature regulation and carrying nutrients

✅ Why hydration is key for ileostomy, colostomy and urostomy

✅ Signs and symptoms of dehydration

✅ Hydrating drinks and foods to include in your diet

Photo of a young man holding a glass of water with text 'Hydration guide for people with a stoma'

What help you’ll find inside 👀

Water is essential for life

Pages 3–4

Learn the important role water plays for keeping our bodies healthy – and why staying hydrated is important if you have an ileostomy, urostomy or colostomy.

Spot the signs of dehydration

Page 5–6

In this section, we’ve covered the symptoms of dehydration – and a visual chart of what your urine (pee) looks like if you are dehydrated.

Hydrating fluids and foods

Pages 7–10

Discover food and drink you can add to your diet for hydration – and use our sample menu to see how much fluid you should be drinking.

Tips for carers

Pages 11

Learn practical tips to encourage those you are caring for to drink water and stay hydrated.