Hydration is one of the most important things the body needs to function properly. Whether you’re feeling dehydrated after a strenuous workout or after an illness, understanding the timeline for rehydration is key to maintaining optimal health. In this blog, we’ll explore the factors that influence the time it takes to rehydrate your body as well as explore some options to hydrate quickly.
For same-day dehydration care, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Grand Junction. Our urgent care center is open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm to provide convenient, accessible, and quality care to all patients. Just walk-in today!
Understanding Dehydration
Dehydration is the abnormal loss of water from the body. It occurs when your body loses more fluids than it takes in. Some people and age groups are more prone to dehydration than others. Children and older adults may be more prone to dehydration. People with medical conditions like diabetes and kidney disease also get dehydrated easily.
Dehydration can be caused by any of the following:
- Excessive sweating
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Diuretic medications
- Burns
- Heat
Dehydration symptoms usually start mildly and then increase in intensity. Common signs and symptoms of dehydration include:
- Increased thirst
- Dry mouth
- Infrequent urination
- Excessively dry skin
- Fatigue
- Dizziness or lack of consciousness
- Headache
Timeline For Rehydrating Your Body
The time it takes to rehydrate your body can vary depending on several factors. Factors that determine hydration include amount of fluid intake, type of fluid, severity of dehydration levels, and whether the cause of dehydration is still present or not. In general, mild dehydration can often be corrected quickly while severe dehydration may require more time and medical intervention. If you are mildly dehydrated, you may start to feel better within 30 minutes to an hour after drinking fluids. However, it takes several hours for your body to fully rehydrate and for symptoms like thirst and fatigue to completely resolve.
Moderate dehydration typically takes several hours to a day. Severe dehydration requires prompt medical attention, as it can take several days depending on the extent of fluid loss and the treatment response. In severe cases, IV fluids may be necessary to rapidly restore hydration.
How To Quickly Rehydrate
Water is the number option when it comes to hydration for most people. It is the best and cheapest since it's a natural drink with no added sugars or calories. Sports drinks do a similar job to water but they have an edge since they contain not just water but also electrolytes and other ingredients. Sports drinks can be just as good as water for rehydration, especially in hot weather or after intense workouts with loss of energy. Sports drinks may be good for rehydration, but since a lot of them contain a lot of calories, they may not be ideal for long term health. Most fruits and vegetables contain 80% to 99% of water and so they make a perfect hydrating snack. Fruits and vegetables like berries, melons, oranges, grapes, lettuce and cabbage have very high water content and can be used for hydration.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Grand Junction For Same-Day Care
Dehydration may seem like a small issue but it could end up disturbing bodily functions. If symptoms become severe, seek immediate medical attention. At AFC Urgent Care Grand Junction, your health is our top priority! Our team can help address the underlying causes of dehydration to prevent future dehydration episodes. We’re open seven days a week and appointments are not required. If you have any additional questions about dehydration treatment, or other services we provide, please contact us directly at (970) 609-2001.
