dehydration... what should i drink?

Question

i have the norwalk virus (stomach flu). is it better for me to drink oj, gatorade, or flat gingerale?

Answer 1

In humans, dehydration can be caused by a wide range of diseases and states that impair water homeostasis in the body. These include:

External or stress-related causes
Prolonged physical activity without consuming adequate water, especially in a hot environment
Prolonged exposure to dry air, e.g., in high-flying airplanes (5-15% r.h.)
Survival situations, especially desert survival conditions
Blood loss or hypotension due to physical trauma
Diarrhea
Hyperthermia
Shock
Vomiting
Infectious diseases
Cholera
Gastroenteritis
Shigellosis
Yellow fever
Malnutrition
Electrolyte imbalance
Hypernatremia (also caused by dehydration)
Hyponatremia, especially from restricted salt diets
Excessive consumption of alcohol
Fasting
Recent rapid weight loss may reflect progressive depletion of fluid volume. (The loss of 1 L of fluid results in a weight loss of 1 kg, or 2.2 lb.)
Patient refusal of nutrition and hydration
Other causes of obligate water loss
Severe hyperglycemia, especially in Diabetes mellitus
Glycosuria

Symptoms and prognosis
Symptoms may include headaches similar to what is experienced during a hangover, a sudden episode of visual snow, decreased blood pressure (hypotension), and dizziness or fainting when standing up due to orthostatic hypotension. Untreated dehydration generally results in delirium, unconsciousness, and in extreme cases death.

Dehydration symptoms generally become noticeable after 2% of one's normal water volume has been lost. Initially, one experiences thirst and discomfort, possibly along with loss of appetite and dry skin. Athletes may suffer a loss of performance of up to 50%, [citation needed]and experience flushing, low endurance, rapid heart rates, elevated body temperatures, and rapid onset of fatigue.

Symptoms of mild dehydration include thirst, decreased urine volume, urine that is darker than usual, unexplained tiredness, lack of tears when crying, headache, dry mouth, and dizziness when standing due to orthostatic hypotension.

In moderate to severe dehydration, there may be no urine output at all. Other symptoms in these states include lethargy or extreme sleepiness, seizures, sunken fontanel (soft spot) in infants, fainting, and sunken eyes.

The symptoms become increasingly severe with greater water loss. One's heart and respiration rates begin to increase to compensate for decreased plasma volume and blood pressure, while body temperature may rise because of decreased sweating. Around 5% to 6% water loss, one may become groggy or sleepy, experience headaches or nausea, and may feel tingling in one's limbs (paresthesia). With 10% to 15% fluid loss, muscles may become spastic, skin may shrivel and wrinkle, vision may dim, urination will be greatly reduced and may become painful, and delirium may begin. Losses greater than 15% are usually fatal.

Correction of a dehydrated state is accomplished by the replenishment of necessary water and electrolytes (rehydration, through oral rehydration therapy or intravenous therapy). Even in the case of serious lack of fresh water (e.g., at sea or in a desert), drinking seawater or urine does not help, nor does the consumption of alcohol. It is often thought that the sudden influx of salt into the body from seawater will cause the cells to dehydrate and the kidneys to overload and shut down but it has been calculated that average adult can drink up to 0.2 liters of seawater per day before the kidneys start to fail.

When dehydrated, unnecessary sweating should be avoided, as it wastes water. If there is only dry food, it is better not to eat, as water is necessary for digestion. The best treatment for minor dehydration is water; sport drinks and other fluids commercially sold for rehydration should be used with care, as the balance of electrolytes they provide may not match the replacement requirements of the individual. For severe cases of dehydration where fainting, unconsciousness, or any other severely inhibiting symptom is present (the patient is incapable of standing or thinking clearly), emergency attention is required. Fluids containing a proper balance of replacement electrolytes are given orally or intervenously with continuing assessment of electrolyte status; complete resolution is the norm in all but the most extreme cases.

All fruit juices are perfect. Pure water also is in preventing dehydration.

Answer 2

No OJ, very bad idea! It will make you vomit more and cause diarrhea. Try room-temp. flat 7UP or ginger ale, or Koolaid, or weak tea, take small sips, and maybe some plain crackers or animal crackers, only a few at a time. If all that stays down for 12 hours, then you can try clear broth, maybe plain applesauce, again take it easy and only have a little at a time. The standard rule is if you haven't vomited or had diarrhea in 24 hours, then you can go back on solids, but keep it bland, like plain white rice, plain chicken breast, and so on. I personally don't think Gatorade is a good idea, it always makes me feel sicker, and I'm not sure it does any good.

Answer 3

Out of the things you mentioned, whatever you can keep down. I feel bad for you, stomach flu is the WORST! Try to drink water too, if you can. Gingerale helps with nausea. Hope you are better soon.

Answer 4

Go with the gatorade, perhaps diluted with an equal quantity of water. What's with the flat ginger ale? Does removal of the carbonation provide a benefit?

Very small quantities, very cold. The gift that keeps on giving.

Answer 5

I would say gatorade. All three are good for you in that state, but it'll be much easier to keep the gatorade down. If you're not having problems keeping things down, go for the orange juice that doesn't have a whole lot of sugar added to it.

Answer 6

gatorade or flat gingerale, the acidity in the orange juice can make the stomach worse.

Answer 7

Revive Vitamen Water

Answer 8

Water you need to completly flush your system out, oj ferments, gingerale has too much sugar gatorade has too much sodium, stick to plenty of water

Answer 9

Water, Gatorade or PediaLyte (the childs drink)

Answer 10

Whatever agrees with you. The purpose of soup and stuff is to get liquids in you, cuz usually having the flu or being sick you get diarehha and lose a lot of body liquids. It is easier for someone to eat soup liquidwise than to try to drink the same amount of water.

Answer 11

Water is good to drink at anytime and you can drink anything that does not have any sugar in them. You want to make sure that you are not having a virus, or are sick. If you are sick, you need to contact your doctor or a nurse to see what you can do being sick and a diabetic. Water would be the better solution.