Preventing/treating diarrheal dehydration

[old hat]

Take one liter of water and add
8 teaspoons of sugar
1 teaspoon of salt

Drink as much as needed.

That's it. Dirt cheap, simple and effective.

Diarrhea and associated dehydration are common in people with IBD but I couldn't find this posted.

 

[Kev]

Why the sugar? If just as a sweetener, then I'd suggest substituting honey. As for the salt, I also suggest non iodinized sea salt as a healthier alternative too.

 

[old hat]

The sugar isn't there as a sweetener. It serves a specific chemical function. More specifically, the glucose has a specific chemical function. Honey contains glucose as well so it should work fine. Sea salt and table salt both contain the neccessary sodium so either should work. Here is a fairly detailed article on how it works.
http://rehydrate.org/ors/ort_how_it_works.htm

 

[Kev]

Great reading.. Real eye opener. Why? Well, I've been reducing my sodium intake.. EVERYBODY knows that north Americans digest too much salt, right?

Odd thing is.. without making a connection at this time.. my salt reduction seems to coincide with my recent downturn. A coincidence? Maybe, but then again.. maybe not. I'm going to whip up a batch, see what happens..

 

[DanSJVDavis]

Hm, makes sense. I usually grab a Gatorade Rain or some of that Pediasure (for toddlers), but that would be a good option with stuff I usually have on hand. I frequently find myself dehydrated working around the house or in the garden or woodworking in the garage.

 

[Kev]

OK, well that was/is bizarre. I tried the ORT (well, used their recipe, but added some lemon juice for flavour).. My 'D' episodes have reduced from 6+ per day to 2.. Now, it could be that the pred i started 4 weeks ago finally kicked in (late)..

So, i can't swear to the results... My pain/gas levels seem about the same... but the reduction in 'D' episodes has been a great relief (no pun intended).

now ain't that a kick in the head...