Fluid and Electrolyte Replacement
A person suffering stomach flu or food poisoning will likely be having loose bowel movement, and will also likely be nauseous or vomiting. Loose bowel movement and vomiting will cause the infected person to release a lot of fluids. Sometimes, the infected person will be releasing fluids a lot faster than normal. Along with the fluids released would be the body’s normal requirement of minerals or electrolytes.
The first treatment in stomach flu or food poisoning is to ensure the infected person is kept hydrated, or what some call “fluid replacement therapy”. It is really just keeping them drinking, and usually recommended is to add oral rehydration salts to what would otherwise be just water. This avoids the person going into dehydration or electrolyte imbalance.
Oral rehydration salts contain a mixture of salt, glucose, and electrolytes essential for the body’s normal function. These electrolytes are important in keeping muscles functioning, especially including heart muscles. Losing too much electrolytes (electrolyte imbalance) can lead to irregular heartbeats (aka arrhythmia), weakness, and even possibly death.
Holding down liquids will be unlikely, because of the frequent bowel movement and/or vomiting. The recommended measure is to take frequent sips of water or rehydration solution (water mixed with oral rehydration salts). Some patients may find sucking on ice to be soothing, in addition to contributing to their rehydration.
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