Dehydration

Disclaimer: Instructions are for active patients of Fox West Medical / Dr. Fox  

Dehydration occurs from vomiting too much, not taking in enough liquids, or loosing too much fluid from diarrhea. Dehydration can lead to irregularities in electrolytes. Electrolytes are substances such as sodium, potassium and chloride, as they reside in the fluid environment in your tissues. These play roles in physiologic functioning. Early signs of dehydration include a dry inner lining of the mouth. Additionally, decrease in urine output can mean that the body is conserving water, because it has too little.

Patient may continue with normal activities. However, keep in mind several points: 1) when you are ill, your body's ability to perform normal activity is often limited by weakness and fatigue. While your body's many metabolic functions require a lot of energy just to keep itself normal; those functions require more energy to fight illness. This means less energy to keep you going for what you consider normal activity. 2) Also, quite often when you are ill, you don't feel like eating or drinking as much.  This fact, together with the metabolic functions taking more energy fighting illness or injury leads to the tiredness and weakness you often feel. 3) To help your body get better faster, you are to rest more. This uses up less energy. That means more available energy for fighting illness. Often, when you are ill, you will find that you can sleep 12-15 hours a day. This is O.K. Help you body get back to a healthy condition.

The patient is to increase the intake of clear, non-alcoholic beverages. Also, avoid caffeinated drinks, as these act as diuretics and can cause you to urinate too much, thus risking dehydration. Beverages high in acidic content (i.e. Orange Juice), or diary based beverages my further irritate the lining of the stomach. Additionally, avoid extremely hot or cold beverages. Sports refreshment drinks such as Gatorade and PowerAde are good fluids to take in, as they are easier on the stomach and have some caloric content to provide some energy. Plain water is good, but keep its intake moderate. Too much plain water can cause electrolyte imbalances. Electrolytes are substances such as sodium, potassium and chloride, as they reside in the fluid environment in your tissues. These play roles in physiologic functioning. Early signs of dehydration include a dry inner lining of the mouth. Additionally, decrease in urine output can mean that the body is conserving water, because it has too little. 

If you find yourself vomiting, stay on liquids only for 8-12 hours. If, after this amount of time you are not vomiting anymore, you may try and advance your diet to one including bland foods. Foods such as rice, toast, applesauce, bananas, soda crackers, and some soups fit this category. After a 24-hour period of no vomiting on fluids and bland diet, then you may slowly return to normal dietary habits as tolerated. (If you suffer from any metabolic disorders, such as diabetes, then consult your primary care physician for more specific dietary instructions.)

Patient is to take medications as instructed by the physician. If no medication is prescribed, then you are to follow the existing recommendations:

For patients with gastrointestinal ailments:

1) Take over the counter Zantac AC, PepcidAC, or Tagamet HB. This will decrease the acid production by you stomach and give the irritated lining a chance to rest. 

2) You may take Mallox or Mylanta unless you suffer from kidney disease. If you have kidney problems, then contact your physician for instructions on alternative medications. 

3) If you have cramps from diarrhea, you may take Immodium AD and Pepto-Bismol. Don't give children Pepto-Bismol as it has aspirin in it and it is dangerous to give children Aspirin products.

4) If you suffer from recurrent heartburn, then avoid eating 2-3 hours prior to doing to sleep. Eat smaller portions in the evening, and raise the head of the bed 2-3 inches.

You are to go to the Emergency Department or seek immediate medical evaluation if the following occur:

1) Any constant or severe abdominal pain

2) Any abdominal pain with fever

3) Any sudden worsening in symptoms

4) Any sudden constant vomiting

5) Any constant watery diarrhea, or diarrhea that has blood or mucous in it. 

6) If patient doesn't urinate every 8 hours. 

7) Any vomiting of blood.