There are many different kinds of dehydration treatment ranging from the obvious and logical to the arcane-sounding home remedies. Dehydration occurs when the body does not contain the amount of water as well as some other fluids and substances that it requires to function properly. Many different things can cause dehydration, such as not drinking enough, heavy exercise, prolonged exposure to warm weather, vomiting, and diarrhea. Dry mouth, dark yellow urine, fatigue, and sunken eyes are among the most common indicators of dehydration, while extreme lethargy or coma could accompany more severe cases. Severe cases involving a significant loss of water can be and sometimes are life threatening.
The most basic and common dehydration treatment is, quite simply, water. The problem was caused by losing water or failing to consume enough water, so replenishing the body's supply of water is of the utmost importance. Drinking cold water in small amounts over a period of time is an effective way to rehydrate the body. Cold water can cool down the body, which is helpful when dehydration is caused by excessive heat and is potentially accompanied by heat exhaustion. Drinking small amounts over a period of time give the body a chance to handle the influx of water and can prevent vomiting.
Water is not all that is lost when one becomes dehydrated; the body also tends to lose some essential salts and electrolytes that allow it to function properly. Drinking water, while it is a good place to start any dehydration treatment, will not replace any lost substances other than water. There are some bottled beverages and flavored waters marketed for athletes that contain electrolytes lost through sweat. Bananas also make an excellent dehydration treatment; they contain a great deal of water and potassium, both of which are generally lacking in dehydrated individuals. In severe cases, dehydration treatment can mean hospitalization and intravenous fluid administration.
Dehydration affects different people in different ways, so dehydration treatments vary based on who exactly is suffering from a lack of water. It does not usually affect healthy young to middle-aged individuals too badly, though it is still important for them to stay hydrated. The elderly and infants are both at significantly greater risk because of the frailty of their bodies and, in many cases, because of their inability to help themselves. Infants, in particular, are very susceptible to dehydration because of their low body weight, low water content, and total inability to hydrate themselves. Vigilance, therefore, is of the utmost importance; parents or caretakers need to ensure that the infant stays hydrated, especially after vomiting or diarrhea.