question about dehydration

[Fen]

Just out of curiosity, has anyone linked their bloating/IC belly to dehydration?? Yesterday I really drank a ton of peppermint tea and water and noticed that my bloating decreased. Coincidence? Or was my bladder chronically inflamed before from not drinking enough water/urine being too concentrated?

Any thoughts?

[roam43]

Not for me. It burns when I pee concentrated urine.

[ICNDonna]

My theory about the bloating/IC belly is that it's a response to inflammation. If you don't drink enough, it makes the urine concentrated, which causes inflammation, which I feel might cause the swelling.

It's important to drink six to eight cups of water daily.

Donna

[Kellyicurn]

Peppermint soothes the belly and GI tract. I wonder if you have IBS? That could explain why the peppermint helped you. It could have also diuresed(sp?) you a bit (depending on the tea and what was in it) and that could shrink your belly.

Honestly, when I see true dehydration, it's the opposite- shrunk belly and poor turgor of the skin.

[waterflow]

I get really bloated after drinking just water. Have noticed when I lay on my left side in the tub full of water my stomach gurgles and gurlges and when I get out of the tub I'm not so bloated. I can feel the bloatness go away some in the tub.

[Briza]

I drink lots and lots of water throughout the day...even before IC I've always been a terribly thirsty person and drink up to a gallon of water a day. Now it is even more important for me to keep myself well hydrated b/c it dilutes the urine and causes my bladder less burning and can even keep the burning at bay completely at times. I know when I get thirsty that I have to have water NOW, or the burning will start.
As for the IC belly, the first year I had it nonstop really really bad, and I was drinking plenty of water and probably only water. I agree with Donna...I think that it is inflammation related. Cold packs gave me some relief, but never made it go away. Luckily, I don't get IC belly often anymore, usually only w/ flares and even then not nearly as bad as in the beginning.
Best wishes :)

[jen74]

Is it your bladder that is bloated or your stomach?? Pepermint tea would help a bloated stomach, I have read this.
Jen