Why don't we put people who are dehydrated as a result of physical activity on gravity IV ?

Question

Why do we rehydrate them orally by giving them fluids.

Answer 1

To inject saline into athletes for re hydration when needed repeatedly will cause an over-use of the veins like a drug pusher. If the injector is rushed or excited or otherwise not concentrating on his work, the chance of getting an air embolism increases. That's why we have moufs.

Answer 2

If a doctor administers the IV then there is no problem. It just is usually faster with a gravity IV. But I've been severly dehydrated before and it took me 19 hours of being on an IV and drinking the medical equivilant of Gatorade/Powerade.

Answer 3

Re-hydration can be achieved by the use of One litre of water mixed with a handful of sugar and a pinch of salt.

or, use Gatorade.

Using an IV is kinda extreme, and risky!