Dehydration is a common- and often serious- summertime health problem. Luckily though, it’s easy to rehydrate at home and keep your body safe. But how long does it take to rehydrate? And how do you know if you need to do it in the first place? We’ll explain in the article below.
Dehydration Symptoms
Of course, the most common dehydration symptoms are thirst and dry mouth. However, other symptoms can develop as dehydration progresses. For adults and older children, look out for fatigue, dizziness, confusion, less frequent urination, and/or dark-colored urine. For infants, not wetting a diaper at least every three hours is a red flag. More severe symptoms include diarrhea and an inability to keep fluids down. If a person is experiencing these symptoms, then seek medical help right away.
How to Rehydrate
Mild dehydration can be treated at home with rest and fluid intake. Plain water is the easiest way to rehydrate a person. However, electrolyte levels also need to be replaced. You can restore a person’s electrolyte balance using sports drinks and/or rehydration products from the drugstore. The dehydrated person should also get out of the heat and rest while they rehydrate.
How Long Does It Take to Rehydrate?
So how long does it take to rehydrate? Well, it depends on your fluid loss. 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.
Is The Problem Serious?
Dehydration can be very serious. If you are experiencing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, or extreme fatigue from dehydration, then you need emergency medical care. These issues can rapidly progress, so don’t delay treatment.
When In Doubt, See a Doctor
Dehydration symptoms can vary from person to person. If you think you might be dehydrated, then seek medical help immediately. This condition can be very serious if left untreated. For fast and reliable urgent care services, call Emergency Hospital Systems today.
