Get hydrated when you're sick (2024)

FAQs

How to get hydrated when you're sick? ›

If you aren't eating well, drink liquids. Avoid alcohol or drinks with caffeine in them such as soft drinks, tea and coffee. Older adults and people with kidney problems should check with their doctor about safe amounts of liquid to drink when sick. Try clear fluids such as water, broth or sports drinks.

Drinking extra water or other fluids can help a sick person, but not by flushing the germs from the bloodstream, as many people have been led to believe. Fluids are recommended to keep a person hydrated when sick, said Dr.

Hydration helps you feel better

Keeping yourself well-hydrated helps alleviate your symptoms so you feel better faster; it also helps your immune system work efficiently, so you recover quickly. Luckily, the best self-care for a cold is very simple: Get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids.

Beverages, such as water and tea. Electrolyte solutions or sports drinks, such as Pedialyte for children and Gatorade (try the sugar-free version), are good options.

Drinking water, isotonic sports drinks, or skimmed milk are all ways to rehydrate. Dehydration is when there is an insufficient volume of water in a person's body. It can occur due to sweating, illness, diarrhea, vomiting, urinary issues, or not drinking enough water. Dehydration can range from mild to severe.

When you are sick, you need to increase your water intake to replace fluids lost to congestion, fever and vomiting among other factors.

Sports drinks, like “Gatorade”, can help to replace electrolytes that we may lose during intense exercise, extreme heat or when sick with nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea. Therefore, under these circ*mstances, sports drinks can be beneficial. The disadvantage of sports drinks it that they often contain added sugar.

What is the healthiest hydration drink? ›

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 you've lost while also loosening mucus — if you have a cold — and helping to relieve congestion,” says Dr.

Hydration: Sodas such as Sprite can replace fluids lost through vomiting and diarrhea. To avoid consuming too much sugar, people can dilute Sprite with water. Mild flavor: Intense flavors can worsen nausea. Sprite has a mild, sweet flavor that is palatable to most people.

The BRAT (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) Diet is a top choice of doctors for improving digestive function during a stomach illness.

For mild issues, you can begin to rehydrate in a just few minutes. However, you will need to rest and continue to replace fluids for several hours before you begin to feel better. This process can take up to 36 hours- and possibly hospital treatment- to recover from more advanced dehydration.

Mild to moderate dehydration can be cured by simply rehydrating your body with fluids. Eating foods with a high water content will also help with rehydration, such as fruits and vegetables. Strawberries and watermelon are 91% water, while lettuce can contain 96% water and celery 95%, according to My Food Data.

Sports drinks, like “Gatorade”, can help to replace electrolytes that we may lose during intense exercise, extreme heat or when sick with nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea. Therefore, under these circ*mstances, sports drinks can be beneficial. The disadvantage of sports drinks it that they often contain added sugar.