Can I drink water in small amounts frequently for heatstroke?

Generally, patients with heatstroke can drink small amounts of water multiple times, but attention should be paid to the quality and method of drinking water. The detailed explanation is as follows:

Heatstroke patients lose large amounts of water and electrolytes from their bodies. Drinking small amounts of water frequently can replenish fluids, alleviate dehydration, and avoid increasing the gastrointestinal burden that may result from consuming a large volume of water at once. It is recommended to drink lightly salted water or oral rehydration salts containing electrolytes, which not only replenish water but also replace lost minerals such as sodium and potassium, helping maintain the body's electrolyte balance and promoting recovery. However, drinking only pure water may fail to replenish electrolytes and could potentially lead to hyponatremia due to rapid water absorption.

Patients with heatstroke should avoid drinking ice-cold water, beverages with high sugar content, or alcoholic drinks. Ice water may constrict gastrointestinal blood vessels and impair digestive function; high-sugar beverages can increase the osmotic pressure of body fluids, worsening dehydration; alcohol accelerates fluid loss and is not conducive to symptom relief. Therefore, it is important to choose appropriate beverages and control the amount consumed each time.

In daily life, preventive measures against heatstroke should be taken in advance in high-temperature environments, and water and electrolytes should be replenished promptly to avoid the occurrence of heatstroke.