What fluids are suitable to drink during heatstroke
Aug 01, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, suitable liquids to drink during heatstroke include lightly salted water, oral rehydration salt solution, warm boiled water, light soups, and diluted fruit juices. These fluids help replenish water and electrolytes and alleviate symptoms of dehydration. During heatstroke, in addition to selecting appropriate fluids for consumption, it is important to drink in small amounts frequently, avoiding drinking large quantities at one time.
Generally, suitable liquids to consume during heatstroke include lightly salted water, oral rehydration solutions, warm boiled water, light soups, and diluted fruit juices. These fluids help replenish water and electrolytes and alleviate symptoms of dehydration. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Lightly salted water: Patients with heatstroke sweat heavily, leading to significant loss of electrolytes such as sodium and chloride. Lightly salted water can promptly replenish these lost electrolytes, maintain the body's electrolyte balance, and prevent discomfort such as muscle spasms caused by electrolyte disturbances.
2. Oral rehydration solution: Oral rehydration solutions are scientifically formulated with ingredients such as sodium, potassium, and glucose. These solutions can more accurately replenish water and electrolytes, rapidly correcting dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, making them suitable for patients with heatstroke.
3. Warm boiled water: Warm boiled water directly replenishes lost body fluids and causes minimal gastrointestinal irritation. It helps relieve dehydration-related symptoms such as dry mouth and thirst and serves as a basic hydration option during heatstroke.
4. Light soups: Such as vegetable soup or rice soup, these soups not only replenish fluids but also contain certain nutrients and electrolytes. They are easily digested and absorbed, placing minimal burden on the gastrointestinal tract, and are suitable for patients with heatstroke to replenish energy and fluids.
5. Diluted fruit juice: Diluted fruit juices contain water, vitamins, and minerals that help replenish nutrients and fluids. However, attention should be paid to the dilution ratio to avoid excessive sugar content, which may impair water absorption.
In addition to choosing appropriate fluids during heatstroke, it is important to drink in small amounts frequently rather than consuming large quantities at once. At the same time, timely cooling measures should be taken, and the temperature and ventilation of the surrounding environment should be improved to promote recovery.
