Diarrhea Concerns

How to Properly Rehydrate After Diarrhea

By July 24, 2018 No Comments
how to rehydrate after diarrhea

Oftentimes, diarrhea is caused by our body’s natural immune response to an unwanted microorganism in the gut. During an episode of diarrhea, your body sends water to your digestive tract to flush out the unwelcome intruders. This flushing process uses your body’s water and important nutrients, and can cause dehydration if you don’t effectively replace the lost fluids.

Dehydration from diarrhea can cause serious issues like muscle cramps, lightheadedness, fatigue, and in extreme cases, death. That’s why rehydrating during and after your bout of diarrhea is essential. Once you’ve got your diarrhea under control, here are the best ways to properly rehydrate.

Water Isn’t Enough

While drinking plain water is helpful during and after diarrhea, your body loses electrolytes and other important nutrients which can’t be replaced by water only. That’s why water infused with nutrients is the safest way to rehydrate after diarrhea.

What to Drink – Oral Rehydration Solutions

An oral rehydration solution (ORS) is a drinkable solution that helps to rehydrate better than water alone. Any ORS should contain three ingredients:

Clean Water

The water used in an ORS should be clean – from either commercially-sealed water bottles or reputable tap sources. If you don’t have access to clean water, boil water for one to three minutes to purify it.

Electrolytes

Electrolytes commonly included in oral rehydration solutions include sodium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium (among others). These electrolytes help regulate your body’s water balance, acid/base levels, and nerve and muscle function.

Carbohydrates

The carbohydrate in most oral rehydration solutions is sugar, which is easy for your body to absorb and use as energy.

How to Drink – Oral Rehydration Solutions

You can either make a homemade electrolyte drink with coconut water, salt, and calcium-magnesium, or purchase an electrolyte beverage from your local grocery store.

Children ages two to nine should drink ½ to 1 cup of oral rehydration solution for each episode of diarrhea. Kids and adults over the age of ten should drink ORS whenever they feel thirsty, up to 2 liters (8 cups) per day. The elderly population should drink more frequently because they are not as sensitive to thirst and may experience dehydration faster.

What to Avoid

While rehydrating, avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages, which can lead to greater dehydration and fatigue. Also, avoid high-fat and high-sugar beverages; instead, stick to drinks that are generally easy to digest.

Feeling Better After Diarrhea

While replacing lost fluids and nutrients is crucial for proper rehydration, quickly relieving your diarrhea is the best way to avoid potentially dangerous dehydration.

As soon as you experience diarrhea symptoms, consider taking DiaResQ, a food for special dietary use that supports your body’s natural immune response, providing beneficial nutrients and immune factors that help to relieve diarrhea and restore normal intestinal function. DiaResQ taken with an ORS is a safe way to relieve diarrhea quickly, without the use of drugs.  Relieve diarrhea and properly rehydrate your body quickly, so you can get back to your normal routine.

DiaResQ Team

About DiaResQ Team

The DiaResQ Team consists of passionate nutritionists, doctors, and philanthropists. Based out of Boulder, CO, we strive to provide our readers with up to date, helpful information about diarrhea, hydration, healthy foods, and travel.

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