Lifestyle

Oral rehydration salts solution: When to consume ORS, how, who should avoid it

Oral rehydration salts or more commonly known as ORS, is something that is recommended by doctors in almost all cases of extreme dehydration, diarrhea, vomiting or excessive sweating as well.

Oral rehydration salts solution is a medicinal saviour- But, not always!


Oral rehydration solution or more commonly known as ORS, is something that is recommended by doctors in almost all cases of extreme dehydration, diarrhea, vomiting or excessive sweating as well. 

Why is ORS used?

  • Oral rehydration salts solution is mainly used to replace lost fluids and electrolytes in our body. 
  • It helps in maintaining the water levels in our body. 

However, here are certain things that you must know while consuming ORS and who should be avoiding it. 

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ORS can be consumed in the following conditions 

  • When you face extreme dehydration. This can happen due to diarrhea, vomiting, or fever. It helps replenish the lost fluids and electrolytes from the body. 
  • ORS is extremely important when you have diarrhea which is a frequent bowel movement. Having ORS helps retain the electrolytes lost in such conditions 
  • When you are sick and also have a lot of vomiting, ORS helps replace those fluids
  • Excessive sweating during heatwaves can make us lose fluids from our bodies. In such cases, keeping an ORS handy or having it at regular intervals helps in maintaining the body’s fluid levels. 

How to consume ORS?

  • ORS can be easily consumed by mixing the powder with water. These days ORS comes in different flavors making it much more palatable. 
  • Remember that you should sip your ORS slowly and should also have frequent sips.
  • Instead of having a large amount of water at the same time, you should have it in frequent gaps. 

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Who should avoid ORS? 

ORS is generally safe for most people, however, in some cases, it might not be appropriate. It is always advisable that you seek a doctor’s consultation before you start taking ORS. 

  • In cases of several dehydration where the person can get needs medical attention, ORS might not be sufficient. 
  • People who have certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure or heart conditions should always consult a doctor before taking ORS. 
  • Allergies- people with allergies should also be careful when they are consuming ORS, as it might contain things or elements that they might be allergic to. 
  • ORS might not be required for infants who are below 6 months as they are mostly on breast milk and breast milk provides them with more than enough health and nutrition 
  • In cases of several diarrhea- ORS might not be enough to help with the condition. Hence, in such cases, it’s important that you either visit a doctor or seek immediate medical intervention.

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Harshita Bajaj

Harshita has a background in Psychology and Criminology and is currently pursuing her PhD in Criminology. She can be found reading crime thrillers (or any other book for that matter) or binge-watching shows on Netflix when she is not in hibernation.
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