Rehydration Treatments

Rehydration treatments are products designed to rapidly replace lost fluids and electrolytes when the body becomes dehydrated. This Welzo collection brings together oral rehydration solutions (ORS), electrolyte powders, hydration sachets and ready-to-drink fluids that can be bought online to help restore fluid balance, support circulation and maintain normal muscle and nerve function after illness, heat exposure or intense activity.

What are Rehydration Treatments?

Rehydration treatments are specially formulated solutions that combine water with a precise balance of salts and carbohydrates to optimise absorption in the gut. Typical ingredients include sodium, potassium, chloride, citrate or bicarbonate, and glucose or another simple carbohydrate. This composition is based on well-established oral rehydration therapy (ORT) principles, which use the sodium–glucose co-transport mechanism in the small intestine to drive water back into the body even when diarrhoea is ongoing.

These products are commonly used when dehydration is caused by diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, flu-like illnesses, excessive sweating, long-haul flights, hot climates or heavy training sessions. Unlike plain water, oral rehydration salts are designed to correct both fluid loss and electrolyte imbalance, which is why they are widely recommended in clinical guidance for mild to moderate dehydration.

Benefits and Key Features of the Welzo Rehydration Treatments Collection

The Welzo Rehydration Treatments collection is curated to support a wide range of situations, from short-term stomach bugs to demanding travel or sports schedules.

• Clinically informed formulations: Many products are based on reduced-osmolarity ORS principles, with balanced levels of glucose and sodium to support efficient fluid uptake and help address dehydration linked to diarrhoea or vomiting.
• Targeted electrolyte replacement: Selected items include sodium and potassium to support normal nerve and muscle function and help maintain blood pressure and circulation, alongside complementary products in our electrolytes collection.
• Support during gut upset: Rehydration salts can be used alongside appropriate options from our diarrhoea relief and stomach & bowel relief collections when fluid loss through loose stools is a concern.
• Options for babies, children and families: Certain products are suitable for paediatric use (always follow age-specific instructions), complementing broader support in our baby & child health range.
• Travel-ready sachets and tablets: Lightweight, individually packed powders are ideal for holiday first-aid kits and long trips, and pair well with other travel essentials such as water treatment and sun protection.
• Hydration for active lifestyles: People with intense training schedules or high sweat losses can use selected rehydration products alongside sports supplements to help maintain performance and recovery.
• Choice of flavours and sugar levels: The collection includes flavoured and unflavoured options, as well as standard and reduced-sugar formulations, to suit different preferences and dietary needs.

Why is Effective Rehydration Important?

Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluid and electrolytes than it takes in. This can happen quickly during diarrhoea or vomiting, but also with fever, high ambient temperatures, or prolonged exercise. Even mild dehydration may cause thirst, dry mouth, headache, fatigue and reduced concentration; more significant fluid loss can lead to dizziness, low blood pressure, rapid heart rate and, in severe cases, confusion or collapse.

Worldwide, diarrhoeal disease remains a major cause of illness and death in young children, and the most serious threat is often dehydration from rapid fluid and electrolyte loss. Oral rehydration therapy has been shown to dramatically reduce deaths from diarrhoea when used promptly and correctly.

For adults, dehydration may exacerbate existing health conditions such as kidney problems or cardiovascular disease. People living with chronic digestive issues, or those focusing on long-term gut health using products from our gut health collection, often benefit from having a structured rehydration plan in place when symptoms flare.

How to Use Rehydration Treatments Safely

Always read the patient information leaflet and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The points below are general guidance and do not replace medical advice.

• Mix powders with the correct volume of water: ORS sachets are designed to be dissolved in a specific amount of clean water. Using too little water can make the solution too concentrated in sodium; too much water may dilute the electrolytes and reduce effectiveness.
• Use safe drinking water: At home, tap water is usually appropriate. When travelling, combine rehydration sachets with bottled or treated water; some people also include water purification tablets in their travel kit.
• Sip steadily rather than gulping: Taking small, frequent sips is often better tolerated, especially if you feel nauseous. If vomiting occurs, many clinical guides suggest pausing briefly before restarting in smaller amounts.
• Follow age-specific dosing: Children, particularly under-5s, may need smaller, more frequent amounts. Seek urgent medical advice if a child shows signs of moderate or severe dehydration, such as reduced urine, sunken eyes, drowsiness or lethargy.
• Be cautious with certain health conditions: People with kidney disease, heart failure or those on fluid or electrolyte restrictions should consult a healthcare professional before using rehydration salts, as some formulations contain significant amounts of sodium and potassium.
• Know the red-flag symptoms: Seek urgent or emergency medical help if there is persistent vomiting, blood in the stool, severe abdominal pain, chest pain, confusion, very little or no urine output, or signs of shock (such as cold, clammy skin and rapid breathing).

Welzo does not provide personalised medical advice within customer service – if you are unsure which product is suitable for you, it is best to speak with a pharmacist, nurse or doctor.

Different Types of Rehydration Products Available

The Rehydration Treatments collection includes a range of formats so you can choose a product that matches your needs, lifestyle and taste preferences.

• Standard oral rehydration salts (ORS) sachets: Single-dose powders that you dilute with a specified volume of water. These typically follow WHO-aligned compositions with glucose, sodium, potassium and citrate or bicarbonate, and are widely used for mild to moderate dehydration.
• Low-osmolarity ORS: Solutions with slightly lower concentrations of sodium and glucose compared with earlier ORS formulas, designed to reduce the risk of hypernatraemia and ongoing stool losses, particularly in children with acute diarrhoea.
• Electrolyte tablets and powders: Effervescent tablets or flavoured powders that dissolve in water, often used by people with active lifestyles or those who experience heavy sweating. These may contain varying levels of sodium, potassium, magnesium and carbohydrates, and can complement dedicated electrolyte supplements.
• Ready-to-drink hydration solutions: Pre-mixed liquids in bottles or cartons, useful when convenience is a priority or clean water is not easily accessible for mixing powders.
• Specialist high-sodium solutions: Certain formulations, such as those inspired by St Mark’s electrolyte solution, are designed under specialist supervision for people with high-output stomas or complex fluid loss, and are not usually needed for routine home use.
• Paediatric-friendly flavours and formats: Some ORS products are formulated with milder flavours or smaller sachets to make them more acceptable for children, always used according to age-appropriate dosing instructions.

Popular Uses and Typical Customers

While everyone can become dehydrated, certain groups are more likely to benefit from having rehydration treatments to hand:

• Families with young children: Acute stomach bugs can cause sudden fluid loss; ORS is routinely recommended in clinical guidance as first-line support for mild to moderate dehydration in children, alongside continued feeding where possible.
• Active individuals and athletes: People taking part in endurance sports or high-intensity exercise, especially in hot environments, may use electrolyte drinks to help maintain hydration and performance, alongside nutrition and recovery strategies.
• Travellers: Holidaymakers and frequent flyers often keep sachets in their hand luggage or travel medical kit to help manage dehydration related to heat, long flights or mild traveller’s diarrhoea.
• Older adults and those with chronic conditions: Ageing, certain medications and underlying health issues can increase dehydration risk. Under medical guidance, some people may incorporate oral rehydration solutions into broader self-care plans.

Research, Evidence and Expert Guidance on Rehydration

Oral rehydration therapy is considered one of the most impactful public health interventions of the last 50 years. WHO estimates suggest that ORT can reduce the risk of death from diarrhoea by up to around 93% when used properly. Despite this, global data indicate that only about one-third of children with diarrhoea receive an appropriate oral rehydration solution, leaving significant scope for improvement.

Global health organisations highlight that:

• Diarrhoeal disease remains a leading cause of death in children under five, largely due to dehydration from fluid and electrolyte loss.
• Timely oral rehydration, continued feeding, breastfeeding where possible and appropriate zinc supplementation can dramatically reduce complications.
• In adults, properly formulated ORS solutions with adequate sodium (often around 75–90 mmol/L) and glucose provide more effective rehydration than water or typical soft drinks.

While these data come from global research, the core principles inform UK clinical practice and reinforce the value of using properly balanced rehydration products rather than relying on water alone or improvised sugary drinks.

How Welzo Selects Rehydration Treatments

At Welzo, rehydration products are chosen using a structured, evidence-aware approach:

• Evidence-aligned formulations: Preference is given to products whose compositions reflect recognised ORS principles, including appropriate levels of sodium, potassium and glucose for effective rehydration.
• Manufacturer standards: We prioritise brands and manufacturers that follow robust quality-control processes and work to recognised pharmaceutical or food-grade standards.
• Clear labelling and instructions: Products are selected for transparent labelling, including age suitability, mixing instructions and any relevant warnings (for example, for people with kidney disease or on restricted-sodium diets).
• Range breadth: The collection is designed to cover everyday needs – from family first-aid kits and travel bags to those with more specific hydration requirements – while avoiding unnecessary duplication.

Trusted by Experts and Backed by Welzo Quality Standards

Welzo is committed to providing products that meet high standards of safety, quality and transparency. Our clinical and product teams review ranges regularly, particularly for categories with health-critical outcomes such as dehydration and fluid balance.

To learn more about who is behind our content and product curation, and the standards we apply across our site, you can explore:

• Welzo staff & medical experts
• Ingredient quality & purity certifications
• Supplement quality standards & testing

Rehydration Treatments Reviews

Customer experiences can be helpful when deciding which rehydration format or flavour may work best for you. You can read feedback from thousands of verified shoppers on our dedicated reviews hub:

• Welzo reviews

Frequently Asked Questions about Rehydration Treatments

1. When should I use an oral rehydration solution instead of just drinking water?

Plain water is usually enough for day-to-day hydration if you are otherwise well. Oral rehydration solutions are more appropriate when you are losing significant fluid and salts – for example, during or after diarrhoea, vomiting, high fever, heavy sweating or prolonged exercise. In these situations, the combination of glucose and electrolytes in ORS helps your intestines absorb water more efficiently than water alone.

2. Can I use rehydration treatments for my child?

Many ORS products are suitable for children, but it is essential to follow age-specific instructions and recommended volumes. Young children can deteriorate quickly when dehydrated; if your child is drowsy, has very dry lips, passes little or no urine, or shows any worrying symptoms, seek urgent medical advice, even if you are using ORS. For everyday support and broader products, you can also explore our baby & child health collection.

3. How long can I keep drinking rehydration solutions?

Most people use rehydration treatments for a short period – typically a few hours to a couple of days – while symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting or heavy sweating are present. If you still feel unwell or dehydrated after 24–48 hours, or if symptoms are severe, persistent or recurrent, you should speak to a healthcare professional to investigate the underlying cause.

4. Are sports drinks the same as oral rehydration salts?

Not necessarily. Some sports drinks contain lower levels of sodium and higher amounts of sugar than standard ORS, as they are designed primarily for taste and energy rather than for clinically effective rehydration. ORS products follow more tightly defined electrolyte and glucose ratios. For performance-focused use, some people use both sports drinks and products from our sports supplements and electrolytes ranges, depending on their training and recovery plan.

5. Can I make my own rehydration drink at home?

Global health organisations have published emergency recipes for simple homemade solutions, but the balance of salt and sugar must be precise, and measuring errors are common. Commercial ORS products are formulated and tested to meet established standards, making them a safer and more reliable option for most people. If you are considering homemade approaches, it is best to do so under professional guidance.

6. Are rehydration treatments suitable if I have diabetes?

Many ORS solutions contain glucose to support sodium and water absorption. For people with diabetes, this may affect blood sugar levels, particularly if large volumes are taken. Options with reduced sugar, or carefully planned dosing, may be appropriate but should be discussed with a doctor, diabetes nurse or pharmacist as part of your overall sick-day and hydration plan.

7. Is it possible to drink too much ORS?

Yes. While ORS is designed to correct dehydration, taking excessively large volumes – especially in people with kidney or heart conditions – can lead to fluid overload or electrolyte imbalances. Always follow the recommended dose on the pack, take into account any fluid restrictions advised by your clinician, and monitor for symptoms such as swelling, shortness of breath or confusion, which require urgent medical review.

8. What should I do if I keep vomiting after taking rehydration solution?

If you vomit after drinking ORS, many clinical sources suggest waiting 5–10 minutes and then restarting with smaller, more frequent sips. If vomiting is persistent, severe, or accompanied by abdominal pain, blood in the vomit, high fever or signs of dehydration, you should seek urgent medical advice, as intravenous fluids may be needed.

9. Can I use rehydration products alongside gut health or probiotic supplements?

Generally, yes. ORS primarily addresses fluid and electrolyte balance, while probiotics and other products from our gut health collection focus on the microbiome and digestive comfort. Many people use both, particularly when recovering from gastroenteritis or a stomach bug. If you take prescription medicines or have a complex medical history, it is sensible to check with a clinician before introducing multiple new products.

10. When should I stop self-treating and see a doctor about dehydration?

You should seek urgent medical help if you or someone you care for has: severe or worsening diarrhoea or vomiting, blood in stool or vomit, a high or persistent fever, confusion, chest pain, very little or no urine output, severe abdominal pain, or signs of shock such as clammy skin and rapid breathing. Even without these red flags, it is advisable to contact a healthcare professional if symptoms do not improve after 24–48 hours of careful self-care with rehydration treatments.