As temperatures cool and fall sets in, it’s a sure sign that cold and flu season has arrived. Each year, influenza affects millions of Canadians, with the peak season usually running from November to April.i And it’s not only colds and flus we need to worry about, either. As we continue to engage in social activities and travel, particularly as we head into the holidays, our families could also be at risk of catching stomach bugs.ii Many people don‘t realize these bugs and the flu or colds can lead to dehydration, which makes prevention and treatment essential when illness strikes.
Understanding Dehydration from Illness
Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluid than it takes in, preventing it from functioning properly.iii
Common causes of dehydration include vomiting, diarrhea and fever. Other flu symptoms – such as a runny nose and sweating – can also increase the risk of dehydration.iv
Symptoms of dehydration will look similar for both you and your kids – they can include experiencing dizziness, nausea, headaches, dark urine, or having a dry mouth or throat.iv Pedialyte® can help prevent dehydration and more severe symptoms, such as confusion, extreme thirst, fatigue, muscle cramps, and sunken eyes.iv
Here are a few tips to consider when preventing dehydration for you and your whole family:
Tips for Preventing and Treating Dehydration
Avoid sugary and caffeinated drinks: Beverages like pop, juice, energy drinks, coffee, and tea can lead to fluid loss through increased urination.v These sugary beverages can also slow the rehydration process.vi
Eat hydrating foods: Did you know that up to 20 per cent of your daily fluid intake can come from food?vii Incorporating hydrating foods like oranges, cucumbers, strawberries, watermelon and broth-based soups in your diet can be a helpful way to prevent dehydration.viii
Stay cool: Wear light clothing and stay in a cool environment to prevent additional sweating.ix
Avoid physical activity: Rest is important to help the body recover from illness and to prevent further fluid loss through sweating.x
Use oral rehydration solutions: A well-balanced formulation of electrolytes, sugar and sodium – like in an oral rehydration solution – can help you and your family quickly bounce back from dehydration due to illness.ix As the #1 doctor and pharmacist recommended oral electrolyte solution, Pedialyte® has the right mix of ingredients to help the body absorb fluids more effectively than water alone.xi
“As both a pharmacist and a parent, I take dehydration from illness very seriously,” said Toronto pharmacist, Kyrollos Maseh. “When water isn’t enough, I always recommend a solution like Pedialyte® to quickly replenish fluids and electrolytes. It’s been my go-to for helping my kids recover from dehydration when they’re sick,† but recently, I’ve realized it can be a secret weapon for me, too! It’s a reliable way to rehydrate whenever I need it, ensuring my whole family stays healthy this cold and flu season. With the variety of flavours coming in ready-to-drink bottles or convenient powder sticks, there’s an option for the whole family!”
It’s time to take dehydration during illness seriously. When your family gets hit by a bug this season, be sure to look out for signs of dehydration and have tools like Pedialyte® on hand to tackle dehydration fast.† You can find Pedialyte® at your local pharmacy in the gastro or infant aisles, the pharmacy section at the grocery store or on Amazon.ca. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions and visit Pedialyte.ca to learn more.
†Due to diarrhea and vomiting.
1Canada H. Influenza (Flu) – Canada.ca. Canada.ca. Published 2024. Accessed September 10, 2024. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-concerns/diseases-conditions/influenza-flu.html
2 Cornell Health. Gastroenteritis: (“Stomach Flu”). Published 2019. Accessed September 17, 2024. https://health.cornell.edu/sites/health/files/pdf-library/gastroenteritis.pdf
3 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dehydration/symptoms-causes/syc-20354086
4 Dehydration-Dehydration – Symptoms & causes – Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic. Published 2021. Accessed September 10, 2024. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dehydration/symptoms-causes/syc-20354086
5 Roland J. How to Recognize Severe Dehydration and What to Do. Healthline. Published November 19, 2019. Accessed September 10, 2024. https://www.healthline.com/health/severe-dehydration#takeaway
6 Medical News Today. Published October 24, 2021. Accessed October 19, 2024 from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/dehydrating-drinks
7 Mayo Clinic. Water: How much should you drink every day? Published October 12, 2022. Accessed October 9, 2024 at https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256#:~:text=These%20recommendations%20cover%20fluids%20from,and%20the%20rest%20from%20drinks.
8 Wartenberg L. 7 Helpful Foods and Drinks to Try When You’re Dehydrated. Healthline. Published June 29, 2021. Accessed September 10, 2024. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-to-eat-when-dehydrated#The-bottom-line
9 Stinson A. The best ways to reduce body heat. Medicalnewstoday.com. Published September 3, 2019. Accessed September 10, 2024. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326235#tips
10 Johnson J. Should you work out when you are sick? Medicalnewstoday.com. Published November 4, 2019. Accessed September 10, 2024. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326882#risks
11 Oral Rehydration Solution | Pedialyte®. Pedialyte.ca. Published 2022. Accessed September 10, 2024. https://pedialyte.ca/en
