1. Drink little and often.

   Set an hourly alarm on your phone or watch to remind you to grab a glass of water.

2. Always take a drink when you go out.

   Never assume you'll be able to buy a drink. Be prepared and take one with you.

3. Don't wait until you're thirsty.

   By then you’ll already be dehydrated. Stay one step ahead and keep your body hydrated and healthy.

There are no hard and fast rules about how much you should drink. Everyone will have different needs from one day to the next. A normal healthy person is recommended to drink around 6-8 glasses of fluid per day, but some people will need more and others less. Use your urine color as the best guide.

Contrary to popular belief, plain water is not a good hydrator. In order for fluid to be well absorbed by the body, a drink needs to have a small amount of glucose and some sodium. This is a concept known as osmolarity. Sports drinks are often recommended when you have an ileostomy, but they are high in sugar and can be unhealthy. Instead, choose to drink dilute squash or fruit juice with a pinch of salt or have an electrolyte drink which can be purchased over the counter at pharmacies or supermarkets.

Many people – both with and without an ileostomy – are chronically dehydrated every day. Symptoms such as headaches and tiredness can be attributed to other health conditions, but they are often due to dehydration.