ORAL REHYDRATION SOLUTION(ORS): Uses and Importance

General
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ORS stands for Oral Rehydration Salt.

It is a mixture of water, glucose(sugar), and electrolytes(Sodium chloride, Potassium chloride,Trisodium citrate).

It works through the sodium-glucose co-transport mechanism in the intestine, allowing water and salts to be absorbed even during ongoing diarrhoea.

USES:

  • Treatment and prevention of dehydration due to diarrhoea.
  • Management of dehydration due to vomiting.
  • It is helpful during heat exhaustion and heat stroke (mild cases).
  • Dehydration due to fever and or excessive sweating.
  • Cholera and infectious diarrhoea.
  • It is also preferred after intense physical activity to replace lost fluids and salts.

IMPORTANCE:

  • Prevents dehydration.
  • Maintains electrolyte balance.
  • Promotes faster recovery.
  • Improves intestinal absorption.
  • Simple, affordable and easily available.
  • Safe for all age groups including infants.

“Can early and correct use of ORS prevent life-threatening dehydration?”

MBH/PS

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The ORS is a simple yet effective method to maintain hydration and electrolyte balance. It was popularized in India in the 60s/70s to counter dehydration and death of infants due to cholera. A simple solution to a widespread health crisis.

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ORS has helped in saving millions of lives as its use reduced mortality rates from 30% to just 4% during a cholera outbreak in West Bengal, all thanks to this highly effective, easy to make and use invention of Dr Dilip Mahalanabis

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