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Rehydration
 
 
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Rehydration is the replenishment of water, or water and electrolyte
Electrolyte

An electrolyte is any substance containing free ions that behaves as an electrical conductor medium. Because they generally consist of ions in solution, electrolytes are also known as ionic solutions, but molten electrolytes and solid electrolytes are also possible....
s, lost through dehydration
Dehydration

Dehydration is the removal of water from an object. In Physiology terms, it entails a relative deficiency of water molecules in relation to other dissolved solutes....
.

In humans, methods of rehydration include oral rehydration therapy
Oral rehydration therapy

Oral rehydration therapy is a simple, cheap, and effective treatment for dehydration associated with diarrhea, particularly gastroenteritis, such as that caused by cholera or rotavirus....
 or intravenous therapy
Intravenous therapy

File:Infuuszakjes.jpgIntravenous therapy or IV therapy is the giving of liquid substances directly into a vein. It can be intermittent or continuous; continuous administration is called an intravenous drip....
. As oral rehydration is less painful, less invasive, less expensive, and easier to provide, it is the treatment of choice for mild dehydration. Because severe dehydration can rapidly cause permanent injury or even death, intravenous rehydration is the initial treatment of choice for that condition.






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Rehydration is the replenishment of water, or water and electrolyte
Electrolyte

An electrolyte is any substance containing free ions that behaves as an electrical conductor medium. Because they generally consist of ions in solution, electrolytes are also known as ionic solutions, but molten electrolytes and solid electrolytes are also possible....
s, lost through dehydration
Dehydration

Dehydration is the removal of water from an object. In Physiology terms, it entails a relative deficiency of water molecules in relation to other dissolved solutes....
.

In humans, methods of rehydration include oral rehydration therapy
Oral rehydration therapy

Oral rehydration therapy is a simple, cheap, and effective treatment for dehydration associated with diarrhea, particularly gastroenteritis, such as that caused by cholera or rotavirus....
 or intravenous therapy
Intravenous therapy

File:Infuuszakjes.jpgIntravenous therapy or IV therapy is the giving of liquid substances directly into a vein. It can be intermittent or continuous; continuous administration is called an intravenous drip....
. As oral rehydration is less painful, less invasive, less expensive, and easier to provide, it is the treatment of choice for mild dehydration. Because severe dehydration can rapidly cause permanent injury or even death, intravenous rehydration is the initial treatment of choice for that condition. Solutions used for intravenous rehydration must be isotonic
Tonicity

Tonicity measures the ability of a solution to exert an osmotic pressure upon the membrane. Osmolality and osmolarity measure concentration of the solutes independently on their ability to cross the membrane....
 or hypotonic
Tonicity

Tonicity measures the ability of a solution to exert an osmotic pressure upon the membrane. Osmolality and osmolarity measure concentration of the solutes independently on their ability to cross the membrane....
. Pure water injected into the veins will cause lysis
Lysis

Lysis refers to the death of a cell by breaking of the cellular membrane, often by viral or osmotic mechanisms that compromise its integrity. A solution containing the contents of lysed cells is called a "lysate"....
 of erythrocytes.

Subcutaneous rehydration is also used, especially in veterinary medicine. This is a slower method, so not normally used for emergencies.

If someone exhibits signs of moderate to severe dehydration, medical attention should be sought.

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