Treatments for Dehydration

Contents

Dehydration: Introduction
Treatments for Dehydration (Introduction)
Treatment list for Dehydration
Latest treatments for Dehydration
News about treatments
Buy Products Related to Treatments for Dehydration
Dehydration: Introduction

Treatments for Dehydration:

The first step in treating dehydration is prevention. For healthy adults this includes drinking eight eight ounce glasses of water every day. Water needs will be higher for certain people, such as athletes or people who live at high altitudes or in hot, dry climates. Athletes may benefit from drinking a solution that is fortified with the electrolytes that are lost through sweating, such as Gatorade.

Once dehydration develops, prompt recognition and treatment generally results in a good outcome and minimizes the chances of developing serious complications, such as coma. Treatment plans are individualized depending on the cause, the presence of coexisting diseases, the age of the patient, and other factors. Treatment generally involves a multifaceted plan that addresses the underlying or associated cause, such as vomiting or athletic overtraining, while safely rehydrating the patient.

Mild dehydration can often be cured with drinking fluids. For infants and children who have had vomiting and/or diarrhea, an oral rehydrating solution, such as Pedialyte, is often recommended. Any drink or fluid that contains caffeine, such as coffee or soda, is not effective for treating dehydration. Fluids that contain caffeine can actually make dehydration worse, because they cause the body to lose more water, which results in increased urination.

Moderate to severe dehydration generally requires hospitalization and possible intensive care. Intravenous fluids are administered to correct the dehydration. Electrolyte replacement may also be necessary. Electrolytes and other important parameters, such as vital signs, are frequently or continuously monitored. For life-threatening cases that include such complications as kidney failure and hypovolemic shock, life support measures may be necessary.

Treatment List for Dehydration

The list of treatments mentioned in various sources for Dehydration includes the following list. Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans.

Hospitalization - Newborns and infants need special care; dehydration can be severe or even fatal
Water - but not enough alone, need electrolytes as well.
Fluids - broth or soups (for salt/sodium), fruit juices, soft fruits, vegetables (for potassium)
Intravenous fluids - in severe cases
Breast milk
Baby formula
Infant rehydration solutions - special medications containing the required electrolytes
- Pedialyte
- Ceralyte
- Infalyte
Avoid milk products
Avoid greasy foods
Avoid high-fiber foods
Avoid sweet foods
Bland foods - during recovery, can move onto bananas, plain rice, boiled potatoes, toast, crackers, cooked carrots, skinless fat-removed baked chicken.
BRAT diet - for children during recovery: bananas, rice, applesauce, toast.

Alternative Treatments for Dehydration

Alternative treatments or home remedies that have been listed as possibly helpful for Dehydration may include:

Oral rehydration
Cinchona homeopathic remedy
Phosphoric acid homeopathic remedy
more treatments »

Dehydration: Research Doctors & Specialists

Blood Health Specialists (Hematology):
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Latest treatments for Dehydration:

The following are some of the latest treatments for Dehydration:

Oral fluids
IV fluids

Hospital statistics for Dehydration:

These medical statistics relate to hospitals, hospitalization and Dehydration:

0.07% (8,833) of hospital consultant episodes were for volume depletion in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
73% of hospital consultant episodes for volume depletion required hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
37% of hospital consultant episodes for volume depletion were for men in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
63% of hospital consultant episodes for volume depletion were for women in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
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