Vomiting and dehydration: the risks and how to react

Understanding Dehydration Related to Vomiting

Why does vomiting cause dehydration?

Vomiting inherently causes fluid loss . However, it also causes a loss of minerals , called electrolytes . These are essential for fluid balance and the proper functioning of the body.

Therefore, rehydrating with water alone is not enough to compensate for these losses and restore a good water balance .

Additionally, nausea associated with vomiting can limit fluid and food intake, worsening dehydration . Therefore, it is important to understand the risks of dehydration and adopt an effective rehydration strategy.

Symptoms of dehydration

Dehydration causes several symptoms . It is important to recognize them in order to act quickly.

The first signs are thirst , increased fatigue and an abnormally dry mouth . If dehydration worsens , it can lead to a significant decrease in urination , dizziness and a degree of confusion . It is then imperative to act quickly and drink adequate fluids to avoid any complications.

Risks of dehydration due to vomiting

Immediate risks

Untreated dehydration can quickly impact the body. First, the decrease in blood volume disrupts blood circulation, leading to a drop in blood pressure .

Electrolyte losses not only affect fluid balance, but also the proper functioning of muscles and nerves . This can cause cramps, heart rhythm disturbances, and even faintness or loss of consciousness in the most severe cases.

Long-term complications

When dehydration persists, serious complications can occur. The kidneys , which play a key role in filtering blood, can be affected, leading to a risk of kidney failure . In addition, prolonged dehydration can aggravate existing cardiovascular conditions.

In these cases, prompt hydration is essential. We also recommend consulting a healthcare professional.

My child is dehydrated after vomiting. How should I react?

Children are particularly vulnerable to dehydration . Younger children have difficulty expressing thirst, while older children may not realize its extent.

For a parent, it is therefore essential to be attentive to the warning signs and encourage hydration, as vomiting significantly increases the risk of dehydration.

How to react to vomiting and prevent dehydration?

How to rehydrate when you vomit?

After vomiting, rehydration is a priority. It is important to drink small amounts, even if you are not thirsty, to avoid worsening nausea. Water alone is not always enough; it is recommended to consume foods rich in water , such as certain fruits (watermelon, melon, orange).

However, rehydration isn't just about water. Vomiting also causes a significant loss of minerals (electrolytes), which are essential for the body to function properly.

Oral fluid administration for diarrhea is an ancient practice and was already part of traditional remedies centuries ago. In fact, 3,000 years ago, an Indian physician named Shushruta recommended that people with diarrhea drink plenty of water with lumps of salt and molasses.

And it was in 1975, during a cholera epidemic that appeared in India among refugees from Bangladesh, that the first significant trials of oral rehydration solutions (ORS) were carried out, showing a significant reduction in mortality. dropping from 30 to 3%. Since this discovery, the use of a unique initial glucose-based ORS formula has revolutionized the management of acute gastroenteritis by enabling effective prevention and treatment of dehydration, particularly in infants. ORS is therefore the ideal way to restore electrolyte balance.

Hydratis, specially formulated to optimize hydration, is a convenient, effective, and delicious alternative to compensate for fluid and electrolyte losses caused by vomiting. Its balanced composition of sodium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, and chloride helps quickly restore electrolyte balance and promote better intestinal water absorption through the sodium-glucose cotransport mechanism.

In practice, dissolving a Hydratis lozenge in a glass of water ensures optimal hydration compared to simply drinking water and can be particularly useful in episodes of frequent vomiting, where fluid retention is compromised.

How to properly rehydrate through food?

Outside of the hydration field, It is advisable to eat foods that are easy to digest to facilitate recovery after vomiting. Depending on your appetite, you should favor foods such as:

• rice
• carrots
• apples
• bananas
• pasta that can be ingested gradually. A balanced diet also helps restore mineral reserves.

Finally, preventing vomiting requires good food hygiene . Washing your hands before preparing or eating a meal, as well as after going to the toilet, is essential! This is particularly important in communities (institutions for the elderly, hospital services, daycare centers) where the exclusion of sick staff (kitchens, caregivers, etc.) also reduces the risk of foodborne outbreaks. Prevention is better than cure!

When to see a doctor?

With any illness, it's important to know when to take action yourself and when to seek medical help. For vomiting, the first criterion is whether it has persisted for at least 24 hours, in which case it's necessary to consult a doctor.

Next, significant dehydration must be identified. The signs identified by the WHO are as follows:

Severe dehydration requires emergency medical attention!

In infants and young children , who are particularly vulnerable to dehydration, medical consultation is strongly recommended at the first signs. Their water balance is fragile, and even moderate loss of water and electrolytes can quickly lead to serious complications. As soon as repeated vomiting or signs such as dry mouth , decreased urination , crying without tears , unusual drowsiness or irritability appear, it is essential to consult a health professional without delay!

Administration of oral rehydration solution (ORS) can be started immediately under parental supervision, but this should not delay medical consultation, particularly if the child's condition does not improve quickly.

In adults, ORS may also be helpful, but rehydration can often be achieved with sodium- and glucose-containing drinks, adapted to fluid losses.

When symptoms worsen, if the person belongs to a risk group (infant, child, elderly person , pregnant woman, etc.) or if resources are limited, a medical consultation is obviously strongly recommended.

In any case, if you have any doubts, it is always best to seek medical advice.

Vomiting causes a significant loss of water and electrolytes , which can quickly lead to dehydration if no appropriate management is put in place.

In infants and young children, oral rehydration solutions (ORS) are recommended by health authorities to effectively replace these losses and prevent complications.

In adults, hydration can be ensured with suitable drinks containing sodium and glucose, such as Hydratis solution, which effectively restores the body's water and electrolyte balance.

If vomiting persists or if signs of dehydration appear, medical attention is essential, especially for the most vulnerable individuals. Being aware of symptoms and responding quickly can prevent complications.