How to Use Oral Rehydration Powder Solution

Diarrhea can be experienced by anybody. It is an illness that usually gets from contaminated food and drinking water. When a spoiled food or contaminated water is taken, microorganisms either attack your gastrointestinal system or produce toxins that can be harmful to your health. As a normal way to cope from the unwanted microorganisms and their toxins, our intestines counteract through the process of faster peristalsis leading to frequent defecation until all the toxins are eliminated. Commonly, food are being purged all the way, stools are watery and intestinal spasms are felt during diarrhea. Because of watery stools and frequent purging, the body does not get enough nutrients and fluids, instead, is being drained and dehydration occurs. If the diarrhea is not serious and self-limiting only, supportive treatment is recommended at home.

Dehydration is the major problem of having diarrhea, because the body needs fluids, nutrients and electrolytes to maintain it. So when the body is dehydrated one must refill the lost fluids and electrolytes by taking lots of fluids and supplementation of oral dehydration solution that can be bought in solution already or powder form. Oral rehydration solution is like an intravenous fluids at home but taken orally. This oral dehydration solution has essential electrolytes and sugar to maintain osmolarity of the body and to provide energy to sustain cellular function.

What must be the Osmolarity of Oral Rehydration Powder Solution?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) an Oral Rehydration Powder Solution should have low osmolarity. Osmolarity of electrolytes is expressed in millimole per liter which can be seen below.

Sodium ............................................75 mmol/L

Chloride .......................................... 65 mmol/L

Potassium ........................................ 20 mmol/L

Citrate or (Bicarbonate) ..................10 mmol/L or (80 mmol/L)

Glucose ........................................... 75 mmol/L

Different pharmaceutical manufacturers have their own brands, which differ in weight contents of the active ingredients and water needed to reconstitute it, however the equivalent in mmol/L is the same. A typical example of an oral rehydration powder solution is provided below and the direction for use.

Contents of ORS (Example only)

A packet of oral rehydration solution for replacement has contents of the following:

Sodium Chloride .............................. 650mg

Trisodium Citrate Dihydrate ............ 725mg

Potassium Chloride .......................... 375mg

Glucose, Anhydrous .........................3. 375g

Flavors (Added for some)

Reconstitution Process and Usage

Dissolve the total contents of ORS packet in one glass (250ml) of cooled boiled water or distilled water. Do not boil the solution and use the reconstituted solution within 24 hours.

Dosage and Administration:

1. For children less than 2 years old, give up to ½ glass (50ml to 100ml).
2. For children 2 to 10 years, give up to one (1) glass (100 to 250ml).
3. If child vomits, wait for 10 minutes then continue giving the solution gradually one (1) teaspoon every 2 to 3 minutes.
4. For Adults, no limit as much as they want. After each loose stool, give the solution gradually.

Nevertheless the person's condition is not progressing but worsening (such as fever, vomiting, chilling, etc), take the patient to the nearest hospital immediately.