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ORS Day 2019: Importance of Oral Rehydration Solution in Adults & Children

Team AckoJan 20, 2025

Water is life. Being hydrated is what keeps humans active. We keep losing water throughout the day in various ways, for example – sweating. Thus, it is vital to keep drinking water at regular intervals. A person gets dehydrated when the loss of water (fluids) is at a faster rate than its required consumption. As a result, there’s an electrolyte imbalance.

Diseases such as diarrhea lead to severe dehydration and can be life-threatening for children as well as adults. This is where Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) comes in handy. Read ahead to know more about dehydration, ORS and its importance.

Contents

What is Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS)?
ORS Day

What is Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS)?

Oral Rehydration Solution, helps the human body in maintaining electrolyte balance. Consumption of ORS helps the intestines to absorb H2O. That is why, such solutions are given to babies suffering from diarrhea. Use of ORS is not restricted to babies, elders are also prescribed it for staying hydrated.

ORS comes in a sachet/tetra pack and can be purchased over the counter from most pharmacies. It is water-soluble; thus, it is easy to make and consume. It can be prepared easily at home within a minute.

Here’s a list of types of ORS.

Homemade
Rice-based
Trisodium citrate
Low Osmolarity
Super

It is best to consult a physician before using any type of ORS.

ORS Day

July 29 is observed as ORS day in order to create awareness about the benefits of this solution. In 2019, diseases such as cholera and diarrhea are curable thanks to medical advancements. However, in the 1800s and early 1900s, these weren’t just diseases, they were epidemics that claimed innumerable human lives. ORS Day is also observed to remember it as mankind’s victory over certain mass-murdering diseases. However, the risk hasn’t been entirely averted.

As per World Health Organization (WHO), diarrhea-related diseases rank second when it comes to claiming infants’ lives. This is where ORS can be useful. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and WHO started promoting the use of ORS in the 2000s. Indian health authorities have also been active regarding promoting the benefits associated with ORS.

Major Causes of Dehydration

Here’s a list of things that can cause dehydration in the human body.

Excessive sweating
Continuous vomiting
Severe diabetes
Lack of fluid intake
Intense skin burns
Diarrhea and other such diseases

The geographical location and the prevalent weather conditions can also play a role in causing dehydration.

ORS and Children

ORS has emerged as a life saver for children. Such oral rehydration is cost-effective and often considered as the initial treatment for dehydration. ORS can be useful in treating minor and modest level of dehydration. A dropper or a spoon can be used to feed ORS to babies.

ORS and the Elderly

Usually, ORS is associated with children but the elderly population can also benefit from it. Elderly patients who consume multiple medicines might face electrolyte imbalance. They can be as vulnerable as children when it comes to dehydration. Depending upon the condition, ORS is beneficial for children, adults, and the elderly.

Also, check: Things to Know While Buying Health Insurance for your Children

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