When you have diarrhea or are vomiting, you are losing a lot of
fluid from your body. You must replace it or you can become
dehydrated.
- Drink a lot of liquids -- 8 or more glasses per day! Don't
worry about drinking too much.
- Good fluids for you to drink are water, broth, bouillon, fruit
juice, punch. You also might try clear carbonated drinks, like
ginger ale or 7-up.
- The bubbles in carbonated drinks may cause cramps. You can get
rid of the bubbles by stirring it in a glass. You could also remove
the top from the bottle or can let it sit for a couple of hours
before drinking.
- Use regular drinks rather than the type without sugar. When you
are sick and not eating much solid food, your body can use the
sugar in drinks to keep itself going.
- Avoid beverages that contain caffeine. They can make your
kidneys lose more fluids than you are taking in! This causes
dehydration. Some beverages that contain caffeine are colas and
other carbonated drinks, coffee, tea, cocoa, and hot chocolate.
Read the label on carbonated drinks to see if they have caffeine in
them or not.
- It is best to sip your beverages rather than drink them down
quickly. Using a straw might be helpful.
- Experiment with drinking cold and hot liquids to see which is
best for you. Many people can take liquids best when they are at
room temperature.
- Other ways to get the fluids you need are by sucking on ice
cubes and popsicles, or by eating jello or sherbet. You can freeze
your favorite beverage in ice cube trays to make your own
popsicles.
Last reviewed January 2000 by ]]>EBSCO Publishing Editorial Staff]]>
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care
provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a
substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER
IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the
advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to
starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a
medical condition.
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2007
EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.