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Why does oral rehydration therapy help infants and young children recover faster?
In the medical community, Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) is widely used to prevent and treat dehydration caused by diarrhea. This simple yet effective treatment not only slows the progression of dehydration but also significantly reduces the risk of death from dehydration in infants and young children.
The success of oral rehydration therapy lies in its simplicity and effectiveness.
Oral rehydration therapy involves giving a dehydrated person water that contains appropriate amounts of sugar and electrolytes, primarily sodium and potassium. These ingredients help the intestines absorb water efficiently, which is especially important for dehydrated infants and young children. Studies have shown that the risk of death from diarrhea can be reduced by up to 93% in infants and young children who use oral rehydration therapy.
The basic principle of this therapy is that after food enters the intestines, it is usually accompanied by further absorption of water. Not only can the intestines continue to absorb water under dehydration, but it can also promote the absorption of sodium through glucose to achieve the purpose of replenishing water.
Preparation and use of oral rehydration therapy
According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), oral rehydration solutions usually include the following ingredients: sodium chloride, sodium citrate, potassium chloride and glucose. During preparation, sucrose can be substituted for glucose and sodium bicarbonate can be substituted for sodium citrate if necessary. In resource-limited settings, it is even possible to use homemade recipes as an alternative to commercial products.
"While the use of home-prepared rehydration regimens has not been well studied, hydration remains a top priority during emergencies."
Oral rehydration therapy should be given during the early stages of diarrhea to help prevent dehydration from becoming more severe. Instructions for use include infants using a dropper or syringe, giving a small spoonful of the solution every one to two minutes, while older children should drink in sips from a cup and should try to take in 200 to 400 ml of solution after each episode of diarrhea.
Clinical effect
Clinical studies establish the effectiveness of oral rehydration therapy. According to cases from around the world, oral rehydration therapy not only reduces mortality from diarrhea but also reduces the need for hospitalization due to diarrhea. For patients with mild or moderate dehydration, ORT is considered a more preferable approach because it does not require invasive treatment.
Related treatments
In addition to oral rehydration therapy, zinc supplements are also recommended. WHO recommends that a daily zinc supplement of 10 to 20 mg for ten to 14 days can help reduce the severity of diarrhea. Also, children who are dehydrated should be encouraged to eat gradually over the course of a few hours after rehydration, which will help the recovery process progress.
Avoid improper use
Although oral rehydration therapy is effective, it must be used with caution in certain circumstances. For example, if vomiting persists or dehydration symptoms worsen, you need to consider changing fluid rehydration to intravenous administration and seek professional medical help. Transient vomiting should not be a reason to interrupt therapy; ORS should be continued with a brief pause after vomiting before resuming supplementation.
Conclusion
There is no denying that oral rehydration therapy has been proven to be effective in saving countless lives around the world, especially for vulnerable infants and young children. This simple therapy not only reduces complications caused by dehydration, but also complements the medical system. However, while promoting this therapy, should we further explore the acceptance and use of oral rehydration therapy in different regions to ensure that every child in need can receive appropriate treatment in a timely manner?
