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? ›

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 to rehydrate after diarrhea and vomiting? ›

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

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.

How long does it take to rehydrate after severe vomiting? ›

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.

How do you fix dehydration after being sick? ›

Mild: You just have to take in more fluids orally (by mouth). Drink water, but replace fluids with a drink that contains electrolytes if you experience significant sweating or fluid loss from vomiting and diarrhea. You should feel better after five or 10 minutes.

What is the fastest way to recover from vomiting and diarrhea? ›

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

Should I drink Gatorade after vomiting and diarrhea? ›

Dietary recommendations for vomiting and diarrhea

In the first 12 to 24 hours, sip clear liquids only. Frequent small amounts are best. Clear liquids include: Gatorade, herbal teas, popsicle, bullion, broth, jello, water or ice chips, caffeine-free carbonated beverages (ginger ale and 7-up), apple juice.

Should you lay down after throwing up? ›

Resting propped up in a seated position with the head elevated at least twelve inches above the feet is ideal. Remain in this seated rested position for a minimum of an hour, or until you are no longer experiencing nausea. Do not lie down all the way. Resting in a fully flat position could trigger vomiting.

What is the quickest way to get rid of a stomach bug? ›

Self care
  1. Let your stomach settle. Stop eating solid foods for a few hours.
  2. Try sucking on ice chips or taking small sips of water often. ...
  3. Ease back into eating. ...
  4. Avoid certain foods and substances until you feel better. ...
  5. Get plenty of rest. ...
  6. Try anti-diarrhea medications.

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 drink will hydrate you the fastest? ›

Water. While it likely comes as no surprise, drinking water is most often the best and cheapest way to stay hydrated and rehydrate. Unlike many other beverages, water contains no added sugars or calories, making it ideal to drink throughout the day or specifically when you need to rehydrate, such as after a workout.

When should you go to the ER for dehydration from vomiting? ›

Seek immediate medical attention

You have signs or symptoms of dehydration — excessive thirst, dry mouth, infrequent urination, dark-colored urine and weakness, or dizziness or lightheadedness upon standing. Your vomit contains blood, resembles coffee grounds or is green.

What are signs of dehydration after vomiting? ›

Signs of severe dehydration include:
  • Not urinating, or very dark yellow or amber-colored urine.
  • Dry, shriveled skin.
  • Irritability or confusion.
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness.
  • Rapid heartbeat.
  • Rapid breathing.
  • Sunken eyes.
  • Listlessness.

How do I hydrate my body asap? ›

What drinks hydrate the fastest? Water will rehydrate your body perfectly fine, but drinks with infused electrolytes can also help. Medline Plus reports that electrolytes balance the amount of water in your body, as well as move nutrients into your cells and wastes out of your cells.

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 to settle your stomach after vomiting? ›

Slowly add bland foods. If you've been able to drink some fluids and haven't thrown up for 6 to 8 hours, try eating small amounts of foods, such as bananas, potatoes, yogurt, rice, applesauce, unbuttered toast, dry crackers, or dry cereal. Once you're back on solid food, eat small meals every few hours.

Can you get dehydrated from throwing up and diarrhea? ›

Other dehydration causes include: Diarrhea, vomiting. Severe, acute diarrhea — that is, diarrhea that comes on suddenly and violently — can cause a tremendous loss of water and electrolytes in a short amount of time. If you have vomiting along with diarrhea, you lose even more fluids and minerals.

How to get energy back after a stomach bug? ›

If you have a stomach bug, it's even more important to stay hydrated. The stomach flu and diarrhea can cause dehydration, so it's important to up your fluid intake. Drink plenty of water or sports drinks with electrolytes to help you recharge and bounce back.

What does it mean when you have diarrhea and vomiting at the same time? ›

Most of the time, vomiting and diarrhea are due to a stomach bug or food poisoning and clear up on their own within a few days. Getting plenty of fluids and eating a bland diet can help. Keep an eye out for signs of dehydration, especially in infants and toddlers who are not able to communicate what they're feeling.

How to regain energy after vomiting? ›

Once your stomach is back to normal, you should help your body recover. Drink lots of water and other liquids to replenish the shortfall created by the vomiting. Sweet juices and oral rehydration fluid provide both energy and water. Your body also loses salt while vomiting, so salty snacks can help you recover.

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