Managing Dehydration From Food Poisoning
First and foremost, to help you or your child feel better, fluids and electrolytes lost from diarrhea and vomiting MUST be replaced.
Your first thought might be to grab a juice or sports drink to get back those lost electrolytes. However, its important to mention that many of these drinks are high in sugar and low in sodium, which can sometimes make the symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting due to food poisoning worse.
Instead, try an over-the-counter oral rehydration solution. These solutions contain electrolytes, sodium, potassium, and chloride in specific proportions to replenish both fluids and electrolytes.
The World Health Organization recommends an oral electrolyte solution such as Pedialyte® 1 for relieving mild to moderate dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea. Oral electrolyte solutions offer an optimal amount of electrolytes and sugar to help cells bring in lost water due to vomiting and diarrhea. We recommend following the instructions on the label of Pedialyte® to help your child rehydrate.
Here are some additional tips to help keep you or your loved one comfortable and prevent further dehydration:
As always, if you are concerned about dehydration from food poisoning, CDHF recommends consulting your health care professional.
Will Proper Hydration Help Me Feel Better During Cold And Flu Season
Hydration is common advice when you get sick with the cold or the flu drink lots of fluids. Depending on who is giving you advise, keeping up a steady intake of water, tea, or the occasional Pedialyte will help you recover faster and ease your symptoms. But at some pointperhaps after your fourth trip to the bathroomyouve probably wondered: Is drinking all this fluid actually helping?
The short answer is yes! There are several contributing factors that cause you to lose fluids when youre sick. High fever, vomiting or diarrhea or just loss of appetite can lead to dehydration.
If youre fighting a cold or youre in the throes of flu-like symptoms, fighting off dehydration can be difficult. You might want to supplement your water intake with an electrolyte solution such as Pedialyte. For a run-of-the-mill cold, youve probably been told to ramp up youre Vitamin C intake but be careful to avoid sugary juice beverages.
Although orange juice has vitamin C and potassium that can help your immune system, its also loaded with sugar, which has inflammatory properties. Instead, it is recommended that you drink plain water with a squeeze of fresh lemon or orange juice from a wedge to get a splash of vitamin C and more flavor.
These areas of the body the nose, eyes and mouth- are called mucosal surfaces of the body and need to be rich in fluids and moist to have optimal operation. Hydrating helps to maintain efficient operation and helps to protect you from getting ill.
Is Gatorade Ok For Seniors
Gatorade is a beverage invented in 1965 by University of Florida College of Medicine students at the request of Ray Graves, then coach of the Florida Gators football team. Gatorades origins then have always involved sports and athletes, and thats still primarily what theyre known for today.
According to grocery brand , the Gatorade Fruit Punch flavor includes ingredients like caramel color, glycerol ester of rosin, Red 40, natural flavors, modified food starch, monopotassium phosphate, sodium citrate, salt, citric acid, dextrose, sugar, and water.
We should note that the ingredients in Gatorade will vary from flavor to flavor. With more than 30 varieties of Gatorade, different food colorings and flavorings are added.
Like Pedialyte, Gatorade will restore electrolytes. However, if you compare the two, Gatorade lacks the electrolytes that Pedialyte does. This Greatist article compares the different product lines of Gatorade and Pedialyte to prove definitively that Pedialyte products contain more electrolytes.
On top of that, Pedialyte is recommended for very young and very old age groups, both of which might lose electrolytes more readily than healthy adolescents and adults. Gatorade is designed for athletic types aka able-bodied adults.
That doesnt mean older adults like your senior parent cant drink Gatorade, but theres another reason to avoid it: the sugar content.
One bottle of Gatorade would put you at nearly that limit.
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Effects Of The Flu Virus In Toddlers
Both my preschooler and toddler were hit quite hard. My preschooler rejected every little bit of crackers and soup I placed before him. He was barely drinking as well. In fact, all he wanted to do was sleep.
My toddler was no different. I could see how pale and lethargic he became as his body was put on overdrive to fight the virus. He became extremely clingy and didnt want anything to eat or drink other than a few sips of water.
Its no doubt I became increasingly concerned as I noticed how much weight they lost in a matter of days. While that worried me, I knew their appetite would surely return once they started to recover, so had to focus on keeping them hydrated.
Dont Let Cold Or Flu Season Slow You Down Stay Hydrated
When you receive IV Hydration Therapy, the solution rehydrates and replaces fluids lost to help you feel better fast. Dont let cold and flus season slow you down. If your symptoms are early and youd like to boost your immune system quickly, schedule an IV Hydration Therapy Drip. Life is too short to spend it feeling sick!
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Take In Fluids Especially If Youre Vomiting Or Have Diarrhea
Fluids are important when you have a stomachache, especially if you need to replace fluids lost through vomiting and diarrhea. Choose clear liquids in small amounts.
Often, a straw can help deliver just the rightamount. Take lots of sips during the day, says Dr. Goldman. Carbonation maybe helpful unless youre experiencing bloating. If you are, then skipcarbonated beverages altogether.
Dr. Goldman also suggests oral electrolytesolutions rather than sports drinks. They have electrolyte concentrations thatmore closely resemble what our bodies need, including minerals like potassiumand magnesium.
Sports drinks are designed to replace what we lose from sweat, but thats a different scenario than what happens when youve had vomiting or diarrhea, he says. Plus, sports drinks tend to have a higher sugar content, which may feed bad gut bacteria.
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Snack On Saltines For An Upset Stomach
When your stomach doesnt feel quite right, seekout low-fat, bland and slightly salty foods, Dr. Goldman says. Youll see thebest results when you eat smaller portions throughout the day.
Bland foods like saltine crackers pass easilythrough the stomach, and there is evidence to suggest that they:
- Soak up some of the irritation-causing acid thatsits in an empty stomach.
- Prevent acid being released in the stomach .
- Are less likely to trigger nausea because theyare odorless.
- Contain salt to help replace lost electrolytes.
You dont have to rely only on saltines, however, Dr. Goldman suggests. There are lots of bland foods that can bring you relief.
These tummy soothers include small portions of:
- Bananas
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How Can I Treat Food Poisoning
In most cases, people with food poisoning get better on their own without medical treatment. You can treat food poisoning by replacing lost fluids and electrolytes to prevent dehydration. In some cases, over-the-counter medicines may help relieve your symptoms.
When you have food poisoning, you may vomit after you eat or lose your appetite for a short time. When your appetite returns, you can most often go back to eating your normal diet, even if you still have diarrhea. Find tips on what to eat when you have food poisoning.
If your child has symptoms of food poisoning, such as vomiting or diarrhea, dont hesitate to call a doctor for advice.
What Is The Stomach Flu
Unlike the seasonal flu, a respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus, stomach flu refers to several viruses that cause the intestines to become inflamed. A common cause of the stomach flu is norovirus.
Norovirus can spread quickly and easily through shared spaces like schools, office buildings, restaurants, and on public transportation
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Benefits Of Iv Therapy For Cold And Flu
During illness, your body loses more water than usual, but it actually needs extra fluids to create an effective immune response. Dehydration makes it difficult for your body to transport sickness-fighting proteins throughout your body. Fast, efficient rehydration via intravenous injection will quickly reduce headaches, relieve flu symptoms and strengthen the bodys immune response. All of these things working together will reduce cold and flu symptoms and allow you to recover more quickly. IV fluid hydration offers:
- Custom treatment for your bodys needs
- Improved oxygen flow
- Moisture for the eyes and mouth
Tips For Easing Cold Flu Miseries
YOU’VE GOT A cold and you’re miserable: stuffy nose, body ache, congested head and chest, sneezing, and a cough that keeps you up all night.
All you want to do is crawl into bed, which is actually one of the best things you can do for a cold or the flu.
These simple tips may help prevent the spread of colds and flu this season and help you cope if you do get sick:
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How Can You Tell The Difference Between Stomach Flu And Food Poisoning
If theres little to no difference between stomach flu and food poisoning symptoms, how do we tell them apart? In my experience, the main way to tell the two conditions apart is by taking a careful look at the patients background and recent history. With food poisoning, there is often a history of eating food that is contaminated or suspected to be contaminated. Food poisoning usually comes on quite quickly after eating contaminated food and tends to go away within a few hours to days. Meanwhile, depending upon the person and severity, stomach flu can last up to ten days.
Managing Dehydration: Food Poisoning Vs The Stomach Flu
Dehydration, simply put is what happens when your body loses more fluid than you take in. As we learned in our previous post, water makes up about 60% of the human body, so its clear that we need water to keep us going every day. When you experience dehydration, it doesnt just mean you are losing water. It also means youre losing electrolytes such as potassium and sodium, which helps your body breath, move, talk and do all the other things it needs to operate and feel our best!
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Home Care Tips For Colds And Flu
- Rest, fluids and time are the “cure” for a cold, not antibiotics. The illness must run its course. There is nothing your doctor can do to help cure your cold.
- Drink plenty of fluids, particularly if vomiting: soups, juices and/or Gatorade for adults and teens, Pedialyte for children.
- Eat healthy. The old adage “feed a cold, starve a fever” is not true.
How To Stay Hydrated With The Flu
Drink plenty of fluid is something youve probably heard every time youve gotten sick. The CDC confirms that those with the flu should drink extra fluids to prevent dehydration . But what kind of fluid is best? Guys, ginger ale and apple juice arent doing you any favors: They may dehydrate you even more. So to get you prepared for flu season, we chatted with a few nutritionists to figure out the best things to stock up on when youre down and out.
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Is Too Much Pedialyte Dangerous
Is too much Pedialyte dangerous? While Pedialyte is designed for children and is therefore a mild solution, too much can be harmful. Pedialyte contains potassium, sodium, and some carbohydrates in the form of artificial sweeteners. It should be used temporarily in infants to rehydrate during an illness.
What does Pedialyte do for You? Pedialyte is a wonder home remedy as popular as sodium bicarbonate . It can cure dehydration caused by stomach flu, food poisoning, or travel sickness.
Does Pedialyte cause gas? Pedialyte intake is necessary for him for hydration & electrolyte replacement & it is not likely to cause that excess gas production. This excessive gas production is also a side effect of his chemotherapy drug Irinotecan & he has to face it along with the diarrhea.
Can Pedialyte cause constipation? Dehydration is a common side effect of constipation and the resulting diarrhea that often comes with it. How pedialyte helps is that it helps replenish the fluids and electrolytes of your baby so your baby is not rehydrated.
Bottom Line: Call The Vet Instead Of Giving Your Dog Pedialyte
If you think your pet is sick, instead of reaching for Pedialyte, talk with your veterinarian. They can help assess your pet to determine what treatment is warranted.
Do not delay getting a sick pet to the veterinarian because you have Pedialyte at home you would like to try first. This could affect your dog negatively by delaying needed treatments.
If your dog is sick enough to need Pedialyte, theyre sick enough to need a veterinarian.
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What To Drink When You Have The Cold Or Flu
Dehydration occurs when your body loses more fluid than youre able to take in, and your body isnt getting enough water or fluids to carry out its normal functions.1 Some common symptoms of dehydration include dizziness, fatigue, confusion, and less frequent urination.1
There are a number of ways you can help prevent dehydration, especially if you have the cold or flu. One of the many things you can do to help yourself stay hydrated when sick is drinking things like water, juice, or electrolyte-containing fluids will help you replace the fluids and electrolytes youve lost while also loosening mucus if you have a cold and helping to relieve congestion, says Dr. Dass. Water is one of the best fluids to consume to help you to stay hydrated when youre sick. The reason for this is that water doesnt contain any calories, sugar, or preservatives, which are things that can cause dehydration.2
Dont discount the power of a decaf or warm beverage thats low in caffeine. Hot liquids may feel more soothing on the throat than cold liquids, Dass says.
Dont discount the power of a decaf or warm beverage thats low in caffeine. Hot liquids may feel more soothing on the throat than cold liquids, Dass says.
Pedialyte For Dogs Dosage And Ultimate Guide
Pedialyte is a popular drink thats used to treat dehydration and mild diarrhea in people. But what if your dog is dehydrated? We know its safe for humans, but is it safe for dogs? Are there any side effects of Pedialyte?
Below Im going to answer these questions as well as what it actually is, and recommended Pedialyte dosages for your canine.
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Side Effects Requiring Immediate Medical Attention
Along with its needed effects, electrolyte replacement solutions may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking electrolyte replacement solutions:
Symptoms of too much sodium in the body
- Convulsions
- swelling of feet or lower legs
- weakness
Symptoms of too much fluid in the body
- Puffy eyelids
Can Iv Hydration Therapy Help Me With Dehydration And My Symptoms
You dont need to suffer unnecessarily with fever, aches and pain. Through IV Hydration Therapy we can offer immediate rehydration, help to replenish vital nutrients, include an anti-inflammatory for the pain and even include some secret weapons to boost your immune system.Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps to fight infection. However, dosing too high via Vitamin C supplements can cause stomach upset and even diarrhea. You can avoid these issues because IV Hydration Therapy completely bypasses the stomach. Making it an effective treatment for colds and flu.
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Why Use Pedialyte For Dehydration Caused By The Stomach Flu
For more than 50 years, Pedialyte has provided an optimal balance of sugar and electrolytes that people need for fast rehydration after challenging moments of dehydration, like the stomach flu. Plus, it has zinc* to support the immune system.
Juice, sodas, and sports drinks are too high in sugar and too low in sodium . And when you or your little one is dehydrated from a stomach bug, sugary drinks can actually make diarrhea worse. Pedialyte has an optimal balance of sugar and electrolytes needed for fast rehydration when vomiting and diarrhea leave you or your little one stuck in the bathroom.
If you or your kids are having trouble keeping liquids down, start by taking small sips of Pedialyte every fifteen minutes. Increase the amount as able.
What Not To Drink
Most likely, you wont be in the mood for these during a bout of stomach flu anyway, but avoid:
- caffeinated drinks like coffee, strong black tea, and chocolate, which can affect your sleep at a time when getting enough rest is crucial
- alcohol, which acts as a diuretic.
All of these things can also upset your stomach.
Keeping food down can be difficult with the stomach flu. Dont force yourself to eat if the mere thought of food makes you cringe. When you do finally feel you can get something down, its best to start slow and simple.
The BRAT diet bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast can be your go-to when it comes to an uneasy stomach. These four foods are easy to digest, contain carbohydrates to give you energy, and replenish nutrients:
- Bananas: Bananas are easy to digest, can replace the potassium you lose from vomiting and diarrhea, and strengthens stomach lining.
- Rice: White rice is easy for your body to process and provides energy from carbs. Brown rice has too much fiber and may produce excess gas.
- Applesauce: Applesauce provides an energy boost due to the carbs and sugars, and it contains pectin, which can help with diarrhea. Its also easy to digest.
- Toast: Avoid whole-wheat bread, as fiber can be difficult on the digestive system. White bread is processed and easier to digest.
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