Pedialyte: Usage and Its Role in Managing Dehydration

Introduction:

Pedialyte is an oral rehydration drink obtained over the counter and effectively acts for all age groups, from age one to adults and older adults. This drink manages the electrolyte imbalance caused due to dehydration. This article will explain in detail about pedialyte, how it helps with dehydration, how to use it, and other ways to stay hydrated.

How Is Pedialyte Used?

• According to the instructions given on the package, it is recommended to take pedialyte orally. Before drinking, the bottle has to be shaken up.

• Unless a doctor recommends, the liquid forms should not be mixed with fluids like juices, water, milk, or formula.

• By mixing, the ratio of sugars and electrolytes will get altered, making the pedialyte less effective.

• Pedialyte also comes in powder form. This form has to be mixed with eight ounces of water and consumed. It should not be mixed with any other type of beverage or juice.

• Several flavors of pedialyte are available, like grape, strawberry, or bubble gum.

• Preventing dehydration in children requires about 32 to 64 ounces of pedialyte daily.

• It is also advised to consult the doctor if diarrhea, fever, or vomiting symptoms last more than 24 hours.

Does Pedialyte Manage Dehydration in Both Adults and Children?

Pedialyte contains small amounts of glucose and electrolytes. Electrolytes are minerals like potassium, sodium, and chloride, which help control fluid levels in the body. These minerals maintain blood pressure, help the nerves transmit electrical signals, and regulate pH levels. The exact combination of sugars and electrolytes makes the pedialyte restore the fluid levels and restore the fluids lost by sweating, urinating, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is found to be more effective than water as water does not contain any electrolytes making it unable to treat mild or moderate levels of dehydration. It also restores fluid levels from beverages like juices, sodas, or sports drinks. These drinks are usually high in sugar and low in salt, the electrolyte usually lost during vomiting or diarrhea.

How Does Dehydration Occur?

Dehydration occurs when a person's total fluid output exceeds the fluid taken in. Some factors causing dehydration include

• Not Drinking Sufficient Amounts of Water - The main cause of dehydration is insufficient daily water intake.

• Hot Weather Conditions - Working or living in hot weather conditions increases sweating in people leading to dehydration.

• Exercise - People who work out in a warm environment tend to lose more body fluid than usual. When excess fluid is lost and not compensated, it leads to dehydration.

• Vomiting, Diarrhea, and Fever - Conditions that cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or high temperatures can deplete the body's fluids.

• Chronic conditions like diabetes lead to the loss of more body fluids.

• Other Substances - Diuretics, including alcohol, cause the body to release more urine than normal. Some medications, like blood pressure medication, also have certain diuretic effects.

• Dehydration is common in certain age groups like babies, small children, and older adults.

What Are the Dehydration Symptoms Seen in Adults?

• The symptoms of mild to moderate dehydration in adults include dry mouth, thirst, headache, dizziness, muscle cramps, constipation, decreased frequency of urination, dark urine, dry skin, and tiredness. Severe dehydration cases usually require immediate medical intervention.

• Some symptoms requiring immediate medical help include extreme thirst, low blood pressure, increased breathing, racing heartbeat, shriveled skin, sunken eyes, extreme tiredness, confusion, disorientation, and decreased sweat production.

What Are the Dehydration Symptoms Seen in Infants and Children?

• Mild to moderate dehydration shows symptoms like dry tongue and mouth, infrequent urination, irritability, decreased energy, little or no tears during crying, disinterest in playing games, and a hollow soft spot on the baby's head.

• Severe dehydration causes more symptoms, like extreme sleepiness and fussiness, wrinkled and discolored skin, sunken eyes, urinating only once or twice with dark-colored urine, increased heartbeat, fast breathing, and constipation.

When Should a Doctor Be Consulted for Dehydration?

Severe cases of dehydration can be life-threatening in healthy adults. The symptoms where dehydration requires medical intervention include confusion, fainting, no urination, increased breathing, rapid heart rate, and shock. If someone experiences these severe symptoms, they must return to the hospital immediately. Healthcare practitioners manage severe dehydration by replacing the fluid content and balancing electrolytes through intravenous infusions. The doctor will also try to identify the underlying factor of dehydration. Suppose a person has kidney disease or a history of heart failure. In that case, it is advised to inform the doctor beforehand about the condition so that precautions will be taken to rehydrate the person fast.

How to Prevent Dehydration?

Adults should drink about two liters of water a day. Depending on age, children should drink about five to eight cups of water daily. To avoid dehydration, drink or sip water repeatedly throughout the day. If it is difficult to drink a lot of water, other alternatives include water infused with fruits, low-fat milk, sparkling unsweetened flavored water, or decaffeinated herbal tea. Certain foods high in water include watermelon, lettuce, zucchini, celery, and cantaloupe.

What Are the Other Methods to Manage Dehydration?

Other methods to manage dehydration include replacing the electrolytes and lost fluids. This replacement varies according to age, the severity of dehydration, and the causative factors of dehydration.

• Babies - Dehydration in babies younger than one-year-old is managed by giving them small quantities of undiluted formula or breast milk. In case of dehydration of babies, it is always recommended to consult with the doctor.

• Toddlers and Children - Oral rehydration solutions like pedialyte are given to toddlers and children. Giving the child only water is not recommended as further depletion of electrolytes may occur. Old children can also be given sports string or juices in case an oral rehydration solution is not available nearby. It is advised to dilute sports drinks or juices with an equal amount of water as there are chances of dehydration worsening because of the increased sugar levels present in these drinks.

• Adults - Dehydration in adults can be managed by drinking water, sports drinks, or diluted juice if pedialyte is not present on hand.

Conclusion:

Pedialyte is a rehydration drink available over the counter and can be given to children and adults. It is one of the safest and most effective treatment options to manage mild to moderate levels of dehydration. The presence of electrolytes in the drink makes it more effective than water. To prevent dehydration, drink enough water throughout the day and not wait until the thirst feeling comes. Because feeling thirsty often means that a person is already dehydrated.