Rehydration After an Illness: Vomiting and Diarrhea (2024)

Table of Contents

  1. Rehydrating after Vomiting and Diarrhea
  2. Replenish Electrolytes after Vomiting and Diarrhea
  3. What are the Best Liquids for Rehydrating?
  4. How IV Therapy Makes a Difference with Vomiting and Diarrhea

Vomiting and diarrhea are bad enough during an illness. But they can also causedehydration, which makes you feel even worse and triggers serious health complications if you don’t take steps to fix it.

So, you need to know how to rehydrate fast at home to curb dehydration and replace those lost fluids. There are several popular liquids for diarrhea and vomiting. However, the secret to optimal rehydration, especially for advanced dehydration, can be IV therapy. Prolonged vomiting and diarrhea can be so draining that you can’t make up for the fluid loss with just oral liquids. On top of that, it may be too difficult to drink enough water or other fluids if you can’t keep them down because of nausea.

Learn how to rehydrate after vomiting and diarrhea so your body can heal and get better faster.

Properly Rehydrating after Vomiting and Diarrhea

There are certain signs of dehydration you need to watch out for when you’re sick. You need to rehydrate if you have:

  • Excessive, almost unquenchable thirst
  • Dark-colored urine
  • Infrequent urination
  • Dry mouth
  • Fatigue
  • Lightheadedness
  • Papery, dry skin

Severe dehydration complications include:

  • Kidney dysfunction
  • Urinary tract issues
  • Shock
  • Seizures

Proper rehydration can prevent these complications. That may mean not just consuming liquids but electrolytes as well.

Replenish Electrolytes after Vomiting and Diarrhea

Your body needs electrolytes to function. They’re necessary for nerve and muscle function, pH balance, hydration, and much more. Electrolytes are basically minerals. Primary among them are sodium, potassium, and calcium.

You need to know how to replenish electrolytes when you are sick because you lose these vital minerals from vomiting, diarrhea, or sweating due to a fever. Electrolyte loss can cause symptoms similar to an illness like the flu. These include:

  • Nausea
  • Head and body aches
  • Fatigue or loss of energy

Some liquid solutions, such as sports drinks, contain added electrolytes, but they may have other additives, too. IV therapy typically uses a sterile solution with sodium, such as normal saline, to help replace lost electrolytes. The saline solution can also contain other minerals, as well as vitamins, to help offer the body nutritional support that’s valuable when you’re dealing with an illness.

IV therapy is a fantastic way to replenish electrolytes because the fluids go into the bloodstream to start working as soon as possible, rather than passing through the digestive tract first as oral solutions must do.

Rehydration After an Illness: Vomiting and Diarrhea (1)

What are the Best Liquids for Rehydrating?

So you know that to rehydrate fast at home means you need to increase your fluid intake. There are many types of liquids people typically turn to for rehydration. But how do they work?

  • Water: Plain water is simple, but it’s perhaps one of the best drinks for diarrhea, vomiting, and other symptoms when you are sick. Drinking water is an easy way to alleviate dehydration, but a stomach bug can make it difficult to drink enough water without vomiting or having diarrhea.
  • Coconut water: Some people drink coconut water for diarrhea and vomiting because it helps replace lost calories and provides some nourishment with electrolytes, depending on the manufacturer. However, it doesn’t rehydrate any faster than regular water.
  • Gatorade: Like coconut water, Gatorade is a good source of electrolytes for rehydration. But is Gatorade good for diarrhea? Not necessarily. The sugary carbs in the sports drink can actually exacerbate diarrhea, making it harder to prevent dehydration.
  • Ginger ale: Ginger ale is often consumed in an attempt to settle a queasy stomach. However, it is a soft drink that contains a lot of sugar, so, like Gatorade, it can worsen diarrhea. Unlike Gatorade, ginger ale doesn’t have electrolytes, so it’s advisable to avoid the drink if you need to rehydrate.
  • IV fluids: As mentioned, IV fluids are rich in electrolytes for more complete rehydration. And because they are infused instead of consumed orally, IV fluids won’t upset a nauseous stomach.

How IV Therapy Makes a Difference with Vomiting and Diarrhea

It’s easier than ever to use IV therapy as a wellness tool, especially when you are dealing with an illness. Here’s why you should try it when you need to rehydrate after suffering from vomiting and diarrhea:

  • It’s powerful: IV infusions offer maximum absorption of the fluids in the IV bag, so you can feel the effects faster and more profoundly than with an oral solution.
  • It’s customizable: You can add an assortment of vitamins and minerals to your IV fluids, depending on your health objectives. For instance, if an illness has drained you of energy, you may want to include B vitamins in your drip IV to minimize fatigue. IV therapy is also an effective way to take medications if you’ve been plagued by vomiting. You may choose to add an anti-nausea medication or something to ease troublesome aches and pains.
  • It’s convenient: You don’t have to worry about getting out of bed to get an IV at an urgent care center or hospital emergency room. Mobile IV service brings treatment to your home, administered by experienced medical professionals who monitor the infusion and ensure you have the right drip bag for your needs.

How to Rehydrate Fast at Home? Call Rocky Mountain IV Medics

We’re the leaders in mobile IV therapy throughout Colorado. Our high-quality dehydration drip bags andadditional IV treatmentstarget many different health issues to support optimal wellness.

Medical professionals supervise and perform all of our IV infusions. These team members are skilled at IV therapy and offer compassionate patient care. They’ll answer your questions about IV treatments and ensure you have the best possible therapy experience.

And when you’re sick, you don’t have to wait long for treatment with us. Our team members are on call every day, and we aim to be at your location within an hour, depending on nurse availability. There are manyareas we servethroughout the state, so you can find IV therapy near you. Call or text us at (720) 987-2155 orschedule an infusion online.

Learn About Our IV Packages

Rehydration After an Illness: Vomiting and Diarrhea (2)
Rehydration After an Illness: Vomiting and Diarrhea (2024)

FAQs

Rehydration After an Illness: Vomiting and Diarrhea? ›

JW: Start with small sips of simple fluids like water, unsweetened hot or iced tea, coconut water or an oral rehydration solution like Pedialyte®. When choosing an oral rehydration solution, look for one that contains sodium, potassium, and chloride, which are the main electrolytes lost through vomiting and diarrhea.

How do you rehydrate after vomiting and diarrhea? ›

To rehydrate, it is best to use a commercial rehydration solution, such as Gastrolyte, Pedialyte or Pediatric Electrolyte. Commercial rehydration solutions contain the ideal proportion of water, sugar and mineral salts your body needs to recover.

How do you rehydrate after illness? ›

For a mild case, it should be enough just to drink plenty of fluids. Water is your first choice, but there are lots of special drinks on the market that will help you replace your body's lost water and electrolytes. If you can't get a pre-mixed rehydration solution, don't try to make one yourself.

What IV fluids are good for vomiting and diarrhea? ›

IV Fluids for Diarrhea and Vomiting

In the case of dehydration treatment, IV therapy usually involves a saline mixture that contains sodium, sugars like glucose or dextrose, and electrolytes such as potassium. IV solutions are made using crystalloid solutions, which aid water passage in your cells through osmosis.

How long does it take to rehydrate after being sick? ›

For mild issues, you can begin to rehydrate in a just few minutes. However, you will need to rest and continue to replace fluids for several hours before you begin to feel better. This process can take up to 36 hours- and possibly hospital treatment- to recover from more advanced dehydration.

What is the fastest way to rehydrate after dehydration? ›

What is the quickest way to rehydrate your body? Water is the best option for rehydrating your body, but oral rehydration solutions also provide essential electrolytes. These may be useful if you are dehydrated due to diarrhea or vomiting, or if you have been exercising intensely.

What is the best drink for hydration when sick? ›

Water. Water is far and away the best thing to drink when you're sick, as it's the resource your body urgently needs when you're sick.

What drink will hydrate you the fastest? ›

We've listed the best drinks for you to hydrate below, so make sure to read them all.
  1. Water. No surprises here. ...
  2. Milk & milk alternatives. One scientific study . has suggested that milk is right up there with the most hydrating drinks. ...
  3. Fruit and herb-infused water. ...
  4. Fruit juice. ...
  5. Sports drinks. ...
  6. Coconut Water. ...
  7. Tea.

What hydrates better than water? ›

Research shows that milk is one of the best beverages for hydration, even better than water or sports drinks. Researchers credit milk's natural electrolytes, carbohydrates and protein for its effectiveness. Drinking milk after exercise helps replace essential electrolytes that are lost in sweat.

How do I hydrate my body asap? ›

Mild to moderate dehydration can be cured by simply rehydrating your body with fluids. Eating foods with a high water content will also help with rehydration, such as fruits and vegetables. Strawberries and watermelon are 91% water, while lettuce can contain 96% water and celery 95%, according to My Food Data.

What electrolyte drink is good for vomiting and diarrhea? ›

While you can sometimes use Pedialyte and Gatorade interchangeably, Pedialyte may be more suitable for diarrhea-induced dehydration, while Gatorade may be better for exercise-induced dehydration.

How do you know if you need IV fluids? ›

Signs of Severe Dehydration That May Require IV Fluids

You may experience extreme thirst with a dry mouth, have a rapid heartbeat and low blood pressure, and feel dizzy and lightheaded. In these cases, IV fluids are likely necessary to restore the body's fluid balance as quickly as possible.

What kills the stomach virus? ›

There's no medicine for stomach flu. Antibiotics don't work on viruses — they're for bacterial infections. The best thing you can do to help your immune system do its work is to stay home and rest, stay hydrated and eat a little if you can. Give your body the energy it needs to fight the infection.

What are two warning signs of dehydration? ›

Dehydration symptoms in adults may include:
  • Headache, delirium and confusion.
  • Tiredness (fatigue).
  • Dizziness, weakness and lightheadedness.
  • Dry mouth and/or a dry cough.
  • High heart rate but low blood pressure.
  • Loss of appetite but maybe craving sugar.
  • Flushed (red) skin.
  • Swollen feet.

How to replace electrolytes after vomiting and diarrhea? ›

Take Small Sips of Water

Avoid gulping large amounts of water as it can further upset your stomach. You can also try drinking clear fluids like coconut water, sports drinks, or clear broths. These fluids can help to replenish the electrolytes lost during vomiting and can help you to feel better faster.

How much water does it take to rehydrate? ›

The time it takes to rehydrate can vary depending on how mildly or severely dehydrated you are. If you are experiencing mild dehydration, the body can rehydrate in 45 minutes with around 600mL of water. For more severe dehydration, it can take longer and will usually require medical attention.

How to hydrate when you can't keep water down? ›

Here are five tips to help.
  1. Sip a little bit of water at a time, but often. ...
  2. Make sure fluids are tepid (meaning room temperature) ...
  3. Try oral rehydration solutions (ORS) or coconut water. ...
  4. If you can hold foods down, stick to BRAT foods. ...
  5. Talk to your doctor before taking over-the-counter medications.
Dec 29, 2020

What should I drink after diarrhea and vomiting? ›

Sip small amounts of water or suck ice chips every 15 minutes to 3-4 hours. Next, sip clear liquids every 15 minutes for 3-4 hours. Examples include water, sport drinks, flat soda, clear broth, gelatin, flavored ice, popsicles or apple juice. Do not drink citrus juices or milk.

Should you drink water after vomiting and diarrhea? ›

For Nausea, Vomiting and Diarrhea:

Avoid eating and drinking for two hours after the last episode of vomiting. Start with small amounts of clear liquids, such as water, ice, popsicles, sports drinks, clear broth or Jell-O for the first 24 hours. Avoid alcohol, caffeinated beverages, and fruit juice.

What to do when you can't keep water down with a stomach bug? ›

"If you can't keep water down after 24 hours, it's important to seek help," says Dr. Allen. "If you are able to keep some things down, but your symptoms persist after 48 to 72 hours, it's also a wise idea to seek help from a medical professional."

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