Oral rehydration therapy

This is a short presentation of ORT.

1. Oral Rehydration Therapy Mrs.Deena Karki Pharmacology Sikkim University Date- 10/09/2021

2. Diarrhoea According to WHO, diarrhoea is too frequent, 3 or more loose watery stools in a 24 hours period. It occurs due to passage of excess water in the faeces . This may be due to- Decreased electrolyte and water absorption Increased secretion by intestinal mucosa Increased luminal osmotic load. Inflammation of mucosa and exudation into lumen.

3. Treatment of diarrhoea Underlying cause should be understood. Therapeutic measures depends upon- Treatment of fluid depletion, shock and acidosis. Maintenance of nutrition Drug therapy Rehydration: Important measure to manage diarrhoea . It can be given orally or intravenously. I.V intervention is needed when fluid loss is severe > 10% body weight. I.V fluid contains- NaCl- 5g KCl - 1g NaHCO 3 – 4g In 1 L of water or 5% glucose solution. New formula WHO-ORS NaCl- 2.6g KCl - 1.5g Trisod . Citrate- 2.9 g Glucose- 13.5g Water- 1L

4. Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) is  a treatment for dehydration . It involves drinking a special mixture of water, glucose and salts to return the amount of fluids, sugars and electrolytes in the body to normal levels. Oral rehydration therapy can also be given by a nasogastric tube.   Use of oral rehydration therapy has been estimated to decrease the risk of death from diarrhea by up to 93%.

5. Contd. Oral rehydration therapy was developed in the 1940s, but did not come into common use until the 1970s.  It is on the World Health Organisation’s List of Essential Medicines.  Globally, as of 2015, oral rehydration therapy is used by 41% of children with diarrhea. This use has played an important role in reducing the number of deaths in children under the age of five.

6. What is the difference between ORS and ORT? Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) treats dehydration caused by severe diarrhea through the replacement of lost fluids. Oral rehydration solution (ORS) is  one liter of water, six teaspoons of sugar , and a half teaspoon of salt.

7. The "Simple Solution" The "Simple Solution" - Home made Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) Recipe Six (6) level teaspoons of Sugar. Half (1/2) level teaspoon of Salt. One Litre of clean drinking or boiled water and then cooled - 5 cupfuls (each cup about 200 ml.)

8. WHO CAN IT BE GIVEN? In what condition it can be given? All groups All aetiologies All countries