ORS:-

It is expanded as Oral rehydration salt.

It is composed of 4 constituents, sodium chloride, trisodium citrate, potassium chloride, and
glucose.
It helps in preventing dehydration caused by diarrhea.
The combination improves fluid absorption in the intestines, allowing fluids to be restored more
quickly.
Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) are used to treat dehydration caused by diarrhea, a common
illness in travellers. Unlike other fluids, the ratio of the ingredients in an ORS matches what the
body needs to recover from a diarrheal illness.

An ORS contains three ingredients:

Clean water that has been boiled or disinfected or from a commercially sealed bottle.
Electrolytes (also called “salts”), which are chemicals that your body needs to function properly.
Carbohydrates, usually in the form of sugar.
How and when should an oralrehydration solution be used?
It is essential to drink extra fluids as soon as diarrhea starts.
Most healthy adults with uncomplicated travellers’ diarrhea can stay hydrated without ORS by
drinking
purified water, clear soups, or diluted juices or sports drinks. Although it may not be necessary,
healthy adults with mild diarrhea can also use ORS.
Dehydration from diarrhea is more of a concern in children, those with underlying medical
conditions, and the elderly. ORS should ORS should be considered for these individuals.
Fluids should be consumed at a rate to satisfy thirst and maintain maintain pale-coloured urine.
Instructions for preparing the oral rehydration solution and dosage should be followed carefully.
● Infants should continue to receive breast milk or their usual
formula in addition to ORS. Children who are no longer nursing
and adults should continue to eat solid food in addition to ORS.
● Avoid alcohol, caffeinated or sugary drinks like coffee, energy
drinks, pop, sweetened fruit juices, and tea. Alcohol and caffeine
can worsen dehydration and sugary drinks can worsen diarrhea.
● Seek medical attention if the diarrhea is bloody, is accompanied
by a high fever, jaundice (yellow skin), or persistent vomiting, or
if dehydration or diarrhea does not improve despite the use of
ORS.
Preparing oral rehydration
solutions
● Use commercially-available oral rehydration salts. Homemade
versions of ORS are not recommended to treat dehydration.
These should only be used to help prevent or delay the onset of
dehydration on the way to seeking medical attention when
commercial oral rehydration salts are not available.
● Mixing commercially-available oral rehydration salts with water
produces an oral rehydration solution. Instructions for preparing
the ORS and dosage should be followed carefully. Always use
boiled or treated water to prepare the ORS.
● Packets of oral rehydration salts are available in pharmacies in
most countries, although it is recommended to purchase them
before leaving Canada and include them in your travel health kit.
● Once prepared, ORS should be consumed or discarded within
12 hours if kept at room temperature or 24 hours if kept
refrigerated.
Low blood sodium is common in older adults, especially those who are hospitalized or
living in long-term care facilities. Signs and symptoms of hyponatremia can include
altered personality, lethargy and confusion. Severe hyponatremia can cause
seizures, coma and even death.

Ionic compounds contain ions and are held together by the attractive forces among
the oppositely charged ions. Common salt (sodium chloride) is one of the best-known
ionic compounds. Molecular compounds contain discrete molecules, which are held
together by sharing electrons (covalent bonding).

How does ORS help in maintaining salts.

Rehydration salts are used to replace salts and water that the body loses when you are
dehydrated. Find out how to use them safely and the possible side effects..
Certain types of salts (sodium, chloride, potassium) are needed by your body for many
processes, eg, to regulate water in and around cells, for brain function, to aid digestion and to
regulate blood pressure. So it is important to replace them if you have become dehydrated.
Oral rehydration salts (ORS) are a mixture of electrolytes (salts) and carbohydrates (in the form
of sugar) dissolved in water. They are used to replace salts and water that the body loses when
you have dehydration caused by gastroenteritis, diarrhoea or vomiting.
Unlike other fluids you might drink to replace what you have lost, the proportion of salts and
sugar in an ORS matches what your body needs to recover.
Commercially-available ORS products like drinks, ice blocks, sachets or effervescent tablets for
making solutions can be bought from pharmacies. They are often available in different flavours.
Home-made salt/sugar mixtures are used in developing countries if rehydration drinks are not
available, but they have to be made carefully as too much salt can be dangerous.

Note: Studies have found that for children aged 2 years or older, who are only a little
dehydrated, diluted (half strength) apple juice is a good alternative to oral rehydration salts.
Apple juice is more acceptable to children/tamariki, meaning that they are more likely to drink it
and not need other treatment.

Dose
The usual dose of oral rehydration salts depends on your age and how severe your dehydration
is. The following is a guide:

Child aged 1 month to 1 year: 1–1½ times the usual feed amount.
Child aged 1 to 12 years: 200 mL (about 1 cup) after every loose bowel motion (poo).
Child aged 12 years and over and adults: 200–400 mL ( about 1–2 cups) after every loose
bowel motion.
Your health provider or the product leaflet will tell you how much ORS to take, how often to take
it and any special instructions.

Examples of Ionic compounds:

● LiF - Lithium Fluoride.
● LiCl - Lithium Chloride.
● LiBr - Lithium Bromide.
● LiI - Lithium Iodide.
● NaF - Sodium Fluoride.
Examples of ionic compounds in everyday life include table salt, baking soda, lye, Epsom salt,
and bleach. There are many examples of ionic compounds in everyday life. Ionic compounds
consist of atoms joined together by ionic bonds. Many ionic compounds are binary compounds
formed by a metal and a nonmetal.

How are ions used in real life?

Ion exchange, or the replacement of one ion by another, is used in applications such as water
purification, while chemists and physicists use ions in mass spectrometry, to discover mass and
structural information concerning atoms and molecules.