What is pedialyte

This can make Pedialyte less effective. Some brands of Pedialyte come in a powdered form. This type of product will need to be mixed with 8 ounces of water not juice or any other type of beverage before being consumed. Signs of mild to moderate dehydration in adults include:. Adults and elderly people may not notice thirst until dehydration has already set in.

Severe dehydration requires immediate medical attention. You should seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following signs and symptoms:.

Signs of mild to moderate dehydration in infants and children include:. In infants and children , severe dehydration can cause these additional symptoms:.

If your toddler or child is showing any of the signs listed above, seek emergency medical attention right away. The following can contribute to dehydration:. To prevent dehydration, try to repeatedly sip or drink water throughout the day. If you find it difficult to measure fluid intake throughout the day, get into the habit of constantly sipping water as you go about your daily activities. The only way to treat dehydration is to replace lost fluids and electrolytes.

This may vary according to your age, how severe your dehydration is, and what caused it. For babies younger than 1 year old, talk with your doctor about how to treat mild to moderate dehydration. Giving small quantities of undiluted breastmilk or formula is usually recommended. Your doctor might also recommend a small quantity of Pedialyte or another OTC oral rehydration solution between feedings.

For toddlers and older children, oral rehydration solutions such as Pedialyte are the best treatment. Try to avoid giving your child water alone, as it may further deplete their electrolytes. If your child is having difficulty keeping liquids down, try giving them smaller amounts of Pedialyte using a spoon or by squirting a little into their mouth with a syringe.

Be sure to dilute the juice or sports drinks with an equal quantity of water first, as too much sugar can worsen dehydration. Medical treatment typically involves administering fluids and electrolytes intravenously.

Prebiotics are a source of fuel for the good bacteria in your gut and can help restore the balance between good and bad bacteria. World Health Organization. Leung A, Prince T. Oral rehydration therapy and early refeeding in the management of childhood gastroenteritis.

Paediatr Child Health ;11 8 Dehydration Symptoms and Causes. Buy Now. Read Video Transcript When dehydration is a risk… Hey! Still, they were designed to provide hydration solutions for different scenarios and populations. Pedialyte is intended to rehydrate people of all ages, from toddlers to adults. Pedialyte products generally provide fewer calories and sugar and a significantly higher electrolyte content than Gatorade.

Pedialyte may help people of all ages recover from viruses, while Gatorade is specifically designed for adult athletes. People tend to look to Pedialyte and Gatorade for three main purposes: to help them recover from the stomach flu and other viruses, to promote their athletic performance, and to cure a hangover. Symptoms of the stomach flu and other viruses often include diarrhea and vomiting, which may result in fluid losses and electrolyte imbalances, potentially leading to dehydration 6 , 7.

In these cases, oral rehydration solutions are considered a first-line treatment, especially among children, who have a higher risk of severe dehydration 6 , 7. One study determined that Gatorade was as effective as Pedialyte at treating dehydration among 75 adults with a viral digestive infection 8.

However, Pedialyte might be a better choice in cases of diarrhea due to its lower carb content. Dehydration is known to impair physical performance. That is why athletes should look after their hydration levels before and during exercise 6 , 10 , 11 , Carbs in sports drinks work as a fast-acting energy source that helps improve physical performance and delay the onset of fatigue.

It does so by maintaining muscle glycogen stores — or stored carbs — that can be used for energy 13 , Alcohol has a diuretic effect, meaning that it increases your urine output. As such, it facilitates the loss of water from your body Some research has linked alcohol intake to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, suggesting that hangover symptoms may be partly caused by dehydration 16 , For example, common hangover symptoms like thirst , headache, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased heart rate are also mild dehydration symptoms 6.

Differences in Pedialyte and Gatorade formulas make each drink a better choice in certain scenarios. Gatorade may work better for athletes, while Pedialyte may be more effective at treating diarrhea-induced dehydration.

Pedialyte and Gatorade are two types of rehydration drinks. Both help replenish water and electrolyte losses.