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ORS A Solution for Survival
ORS A Solution for Survival

In developing nations, acute diarrheal diseases and dehydration caused by them are one of the most significant causes of death in infants and young children. This dehydration can be managed orally and intravenously, with oral rehydration therapy being the most effective, simple to use, and worthwhile of the two options.

Definition: Dehydration is defined as the loss of water and dissolved salts from the body, occurring, for instance, as a result of diarrhoea and the correction of dehydration is called as Rehydration.

Oral Rehydration Therapy: The Solution is in Your Hands

WHO defines Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) as “The administration of fluid by mouth to prevent or correct the dehydration that is a consequence of diarrhoea”. This fluid consists of a special mixture of water, glucose and salts which help to replenish the lost electrolytes and water and bring it back to normal levels. ORT is an effective treatment method to manage dehydration and a powerful alternative to intravenous therapy.

The WHO Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development (CAH) in collaboration with UNICEF recommend Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) as the main strategy to achieve a reduction in diarrhoea-related mortality and malnutrition in children.

ORS Composition

Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) is the non-proprietary name for a balanced glucose-electrolyte mixture. ORS was approved, recommended and distributed by WHO and UNICEF for the first time in 1969 as a treatment option to manage dehydration throughout the world.

Reduced osmolarity solutions have been introduced by WHO and UNICEF, especially for children, to increase the safety and efficacy and subsequently reduce the stool output.

Reduced osmolarity ORSgrams/litreReduced osmolarity ORSmmol/litre
Sodium chloride2.6Sodium75
Glucose, anhydrous13.5Chloride65
Potassium chloride1.5Glucose, anhydrous75
Trisodium citrate, dihydrate2.9Potassium20
  Citrate10
  Total Osmolarity245

If ORS is unavailable, then a mixture of 6 level teaspoons of sugar, 1/2 level teaspoon of salt dissolved in 1 litre of clean water can be given to a child. Extra care must be taken while mixing the components as too much sugar can worsen diarrhoea and too much salt can be dangerous for the child.

How Oral Rehydration Works?

1.  In a healthy individual, water is continuously exchanged through the intestine’s walls. Nearly 20 litres of water is secreted and reabsorbed every 24 hours. This physiological process also allows the absorption of soluble metabolites (from the digested food) into our bloodstream.

2. In an individual suffering from diarrhoea, this balance of secretion and resorption gets disturbed, resulting in more secretion than resorption. This causes several litres of water loss in a day along with a significant reduction in sodium levels.

3. Sodium is an essential mineral present in the form of Na+ in blood plasma and body fluids i.e. extracellular fluids. Dehydration causes irregulated sodium levels and rapid depletion of water along with Na+. For proper functioning of the body, about 135-150 mmol/l of Na+ are required to be present in the extracellular fluid.

Do you know?
Depletion in more than 10% of the body fluids might result in acute kidney failure subsequently leading to Death.

4. If we only give saline solution to treat diarrhoea, it may worsen the situation. This is because the mechanism for Na+ absorption by the intestinal wall is impaired in diarrhoeal state and the presence of excess Na+ could further result in water secretion worsening diarrhoea.

5.  Adding glucose/dextrose to the saline solution initiates a “co-transport coupling mechanism” as a result of which, each molecule of glucose being absorbed by the intestinal wall helps in the transportation of one molecule of Na+. A relatively increased concentration of sodium inside the intestinal wall pulls water through it, as glucose only co-transports Na+ and not water.

Do you Know?
The co-transport coupling mechanism of Na+ and glucose is reported as “potentially the most important medical advance this century” by THE LANCET journal.

Other molecules with an aptitude to co-transport Na+ through the intestinal wall are amino acids, dipeptides and tripeptides. Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) is useful for the treatment of dehydration in patients suffering from prolonged diarrhoea, gastroenteritis, vomiting.

We @ Datt Mediproducts recommend oral rehydration solution as an excellent therapeutic technique for rehydration as “Rehydration Saves More Children

Visit www.dattmedi.com for more infomation.
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Chronic diseases are conditions that must be managed continuously and have a big effect on a person’s quality of life. Diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, and cancer are a few of the most prevalent chronic illnesses. Although managing these illnesses can be difficult, it is doable with the correct approaches and lifestyle modifications. This blog will cover all aspects of offering helpful guidance for treating various chronic conditions at home. You will know about the preventive measures you need to take to reduce and regulate your condition in a short time.

Chronic diseases are long-term conditions that typically progresses slowly over time and requires ongoing medical attention and management. Unlike acute conditions, which are typically short-term, chronic diseases often require ongoing medical care and lifestyle modifications to prevent complications and improve quality of life. There are many different types of chronic diseases, each with their own unique symptoms, causes, and treatment options.

Here are some of the most common types of chronic diseases:

  • Heart diseases
  • Diabetes
  • Arthritis 
  • Lung cancer
  • Osteoporosis
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Depression 
  • Asthma
  • Type 2 diabetes

Preventive measures you can take at home to regulate chronic diseases

Chronic diseases can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, but with proper management and medical care, it is possible to live well with these conditions. In addition to routine doctor visits, a healthy diet, and prescription medicine, certain efficient preventive actions might help you feel better quickly. 

These tips work with medical attention side-by-side to provide you with more pain relief and improve your daily functionalities. Take a look at the best tips to manage chronic diseases below.

Tip 1: Follow a Healthy Diet

A healthy diet is essential for managing chronic diseases. A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein can help people manage blood sugar levels, lower the risk of inflammation, and keep a healthy weight.

Tip 2: Stay Active

Regular exercise can help treat, delay, or prevent chronic diseases. Aim for at least 150 minutes each week of physical activity, such as walking or cycling. Moreover, two days of strength-training exercises. Low-impact activities like walking, swimming, and yoga are great options for people with arthritis, while resistance training can help build strength and improve bone health.

Tip 3: Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep is important for overall health and well-being, but it’s especially important for people with chronic diseases. Inflammation, blood sugar levels, and weight growth can all be impacted by sleep deprivation. Set a consistent sleep routine and aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night.

Tip 4: Manage Stress

Stress can have a significant impact on chronic diseases by increasing inflammation, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. The ability to manage stress through practises like yoga, deep breathing, or meditation can enhance general well-being and lower the risk of problems from chronic illnesses.

Tip 5: Take care of your Mental Health

Fatigue, body pain, and other prevailing symptoms of chronic illness are often invisible, so others may not always be able to assess their impact. Worrying and thinking adversely about potential circumstances can cause anxiety and stress, which can have an adverse effect on general health. Working on mental health concerns should be done in consultation with a doctor. 

Tip 6: Take Medications as Prescribed

Managing chronic diseases often involves taking medications to control symptoms and prevent complications. It’s critical to follow up frequently to check on the effectiveness of your meds and to take them as directed by your physician. Talk to your doctor or chemist about any side effects or worries.

Living with chronic diseases like diabetes, arthritis, and other conditions can be challenging, but by following these tips, it’s possible to manage them effectively. A healthy diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, stress management, medication adherence, and staying informed are all key components of managing chronic diseases. By working with healthcare providers, making lifestyle changes, and taking control of your health, you can live a full and active life with chronic diseases.

We advice to stay informed about your condition and its management is essential for living well with chronic diseases. Attend support groups, read reputable sources of information, and ask your healthcare provider any questions you may have. This can help you better understand your condition and how to manage it effectively. Follow us for more such information.

Velfiz Edge CHG

Intravenous catheterization is a common practice for administering fluids directly into the blood stream. It is often associated with a lethal and a very frequent complication of Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI).

Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) are defined as the presence of bacteraemia originating from an intravenous catheter. CRBSIs are a leading cause of nosocomial infections associated with morbidity, mortality, and cost. 

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