How is dehydration treated?

To treat dehydration, you may have any of the following:

• Oral rehydration therapy: This therapy replaces lost body fluids by having you drink plenty of liquids to avoid dehydration. You may also drink an oral rehydration solution (ORS). An ORS has the right amounts of water, salts, and sugar you need to replace body fluids.
• Intravenous therapy: You may receive fluid through a tube placed in your vein. Lost electrolytes (mineral salts) may also be included in the fluid.
• Hypodermoclysis: This is also called clysis. This treatment quickly gives your body a large amount of water. The water is given into the deepest layer of your skin, which helps regulate body temperature.
• Other treatments: Treating other conditions, which may have caused your dehydration, is also important. If you are using medicines that put you at risk of dehydration, they may have to be stopped. An electrolyte imbalance may also be corrected.

The earlier dehydration is treated, the better your chance of recovery. With treatment, such as fluid replacement, you may fully recover from dehydration.