What should you know about drinks for dehydration?

Water can help mild dehydration from heat, sweating, or not drinking enough. An oral rehydration solution contains a measured balance of water, salts, and sugar to replace losses from vomiting or diarrhoea. Very sugary drinks, alcohol, and large amounts of caffeine may worsen stomach upset or do not replace salts appropriately. Dehydration may occur with Gastroenteritis or Heat Exhaustion, while dark urine, dry mouth, headache, dizziness, and reduced urination are useful clues.

Sip slowly and often rather than drinking a large amount at once, especially if you feel sick. Use a pharmacy oral rehydration product exactly as its label directs; do not concentrate it or add extra ingredients. Continue suitable food when tolerated. A person with kidney, heart, or liver disease, or a child, older adult, or pregnant person may need tailored advice. Treat the trigger too, such as diarrhoea or heat exposure.

Seek urgent care for confusion, fainting, severe weakness, inability to keep fluids down, very little urine, blood in vomit or stool, or signs of heat illness. Medical advice is also needed when dehydration follows persistent diarrhoea, severe pain, or symptoms suggesting Urinary Tract Infection or Kidney Stones.

Ask which rehydration product fits your age and medicines, how to adjust fluids for a chronic condition, and which urine or dizziness changes should prompt review.