First of all, note that when you sweat, you are losing free water, meaning the sweat has a minimal amount of electrolytes, especially sodium and chloride. So, should you drink water, Gatorade, or electrolyte fluids? The answer is: you have to drink just water, and in this way, replace the free water that has been lost.
On the other hand, what if you have diarrhea or vomiting? In this case, it is very different. Through diarrhea, you lose many electrolytes, especially sodium, bicarbonate, and potassium. On the other hand, if you are vomiting, you are losing chloride, hydrogen (H⁺, i.e., acids), sodium, and potassium. That said, you’ve probably intuited that in this case, you will need electrolyte-rich fluid replacement.
So, which is the best? Should you drink Gatorade or Sprite with salt, or mineral water with sugar and salt? The answer to all of these questions is NO. These “electrolyte” preparations should not be used for fluid replacement if you have diarrhea or vomiting. What about the electrolyte drinks sold in many stores? Again, the answer is NO; those products are just like Gatorade.
So, what should you drink? Well, at this point, I’d like to share some essential facts. If you only have diarrhea, are not dehydrated, and have no vomiting, you could use some medically prepared electrolyte products, such as Pedialyte or powder formulations.
But if you are vomiting and/or dehydrated from diarrhea occurring more than four times, you would need IV fluid replacement as soon as possible. So, how can you be sure whether you need IV fluids, electrolyte drinks, or just water? The answer is: visit a doctor. Physicians are trained to recognize the initial signs and symptoms of dehydration, prescribe appropriate medication, and determine which type of fluid replacement, including IV fluids, is necessary.
And remember, as mentioned in a previous post, do NOT use Loperamide or any other medication without a medical prescription, as it may cause more harm than benefit.
