What should you know about effective treatment for dehydration?

Dehydration happens when the body loses more fluid than it takes in. Vomiting, diarrhoea, sweating, heat exposure, fever, or difficulty drinking can contribute. Dark urine, a dry mouth, thirst, headache, tiredness, dizziness, and passing urine less often can be clues, although symptoms vary.

Gastroenteritis and heat exhaustion are common situations in which fluid and salts may be lost together. Kidney stones and urinary tract infection can also occur alongside changes in urine or discomfort, but dehydration alone does not explain every urinary symptom.

Sip water frequently rather than drinking a large amount quickly, particularly if you feel sick. An oral rehydration solution can replace fluid and salts after vomiting or diarrhoea; prepare it exactly as directed. Continue breastfeeding, and offer children small, frequent sips using advice suited to their age.

Rest somewhere cool after heat exposure. Avoid alcohol, and do not rely on very sugary drinks as the main treatment. If you have kidney, heart, or other fluid-related conditions, ask a clinician how much to drink. Note your urine output and whether dizziness improves.

Get urgent medical help for confusion, fainting, severe weakness, inability to drink, repeated vomiting, very little or no urine, rapid breathing, or worsening dizziness. Babies, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with significant medical conditions may need assessment sooner because fluid loss can become serious more quickly.

Which rehydration drink is suitable for me? Could my symptoms point to gastroenteritis, heat exhaustion, a urinary infection, or another cause? How should I adjust fluids if I have kidney or heart disease?