Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) is a fluid supplement to prevent and treat dehydration, especially for dehydration caused by diarrhea.The core of this therapy is to drink water containing the right amount of sugar and salt (especially sodium and potassium) to help patients effectively restore fluid and electrolyte balance.According to estimates, the use of oral rehydration therapy can reduce the risk of death caused by diarrhea by up to 93%.In some cases, oral rehydration therapy is used in combination with zinc supplements to reduce the duration of diarrhea in children under 5 years of age.While homemade oral rehydration formulas may be less common, they show potential in home health care, especially when specialized medical resources are tight.
"The mixture made is slightly diluted (adding more than 1 liter of clean water) is harmless."
The root causes of oral rehydration therapy can be traced back to the 1940s, when research focused on the treatment of mild or recovery patients with electrolyte solutions.However, it was not until the 1960s that scientists discovered that glucose can promote the absorption of sodium and water that oral rehydration really entered widespread use.Today, oral rehydration therapy has been included in the World Health Organization's list of essential medicines.
If you try homemade oral rehydration at home, here is a simple recipe:
Mix the above ingredients together, stir well and drink.This simple formula provides flexibility for rehydration in the absence of commercial oral rehydration packs.
Although oral rehydration therapy has great application potential in the family, its safety and effectiveness still need to be carefully considered.For mild to moderate dehydration, ORT is usually the most recommended option.However, when patients experience prolonged vomiting or more severe symptoms of dehydration, they should seek professional medical help, especially intravenous fluids.
"When the first sign of diarrhea occurs, oral rehydration therapy can be started to prevent dehydration."
Several studies have shown that oral rehydration therapy has significant effects on reducing mortality caused by diarrhea.Specifically, case studies from different developing countries show a close relationship between the use of rehydration salt and reduced mortality, according to the World Health Organization data.Replenishing fluids that reduce osmotic concentrations also show that they can effectively reduce the amount of feces.
Although oral rehydration therapy is a relatively safe and effective way to rehydrate, incorrect use can lead to side effects such as vomiting and excessive sodium and potassium.If vomiting occurs, it is recommended to pause the use for about 10 minutes and then gradually resume the administration.For patients with severe dehydration, they must be handled with caution and seek medical help as soon as possible.
In addition to oral rehydration, the World Health Organization also recommends providing zinc supplements during treatment to reduce the severity and duration of the disease.To restore normal intestinal function, patients should start eating as soon as possible after their dehydration improves, and it is recommended to provide a small meal and multiple meals to promote recovery.
In today's world, oral rehydration therapy still shows important application value in reducing the mortality rate of diarrhea in infants and young children.Therefore, understanding and mastering this treatment method may be a necessary survival skill for many families, whether in a medical facility or in a family.And are you ready for the challenge when we face whether more effective home remedies will emerge in the future?