Know All About ORS on World ORS Day

Water content in the body is essential for the proper functioning of vital organs and for maintaining normal health and fitness. The loss of water from the body is called dehydration. It gets serious in the case of infants and children. ORS or Oral Rehydration Salts is a simple mix of sugar, salt, and water. It restores electrolyte balance in the body and is a vital remedy for those who suffer from dehydration, especially infants and children. Electrolyte balance, if not restored timely, then can turn fatal. To mark the importance of ORS to infant health and well-being and to keep dehydration away, ORS is an elixir. In order to spread awareness about the proper balance of electrolytes in our body, World ORS day is celebrated every year.

 

World ORS Day

World ORS Day is observed each year on July 29 to emphasise the importance of ORS (Oral Rehydration Salts) as an affordable healthcare method to treat dehydration and diarrhoea. Awareness is the first step towards any solution and mitigating any problem. ORS Day aims to build awareness about the importance of ORS so that the information reaches far and wide and no one is deprived of this crucial solution that could save a million lives.

 

How to Prepare ORS and Homemade ORS Solution?

While ORS sachets are cheaply available almost everywhere, but in case you are unable to get it immediately, no need to worry. You can make ORS at home too following these simple steps:

 

Step  1 - Take over 200 ml of water. Ensure that the water is purified and filtered. Do not use tap water. If you don’t have a water purifier, then boil the water and let it cool

Step 2 - Now add a teaspoon of sugar and a pinch of salt. 1 teaspoon is usually around 5 grams

Step 3 - Stir it using a spoon till the sugar and the salt mix well

Step 4 - Make sure to use the adequate amount of sugar and salt. Too much sugar and salt render ORS ineffective and may be harmful

 

In case you are using a sachet of ORS that’s readily available at any medical or general store, then following are the steps to prepare a glass of ORS:

Step 1 - Empty the ORS sachet in a 250 ml glass or cup; Add filtered water to the glass and mix it using a spoon or a stirrer

Step 2 - Stir till all the ingredients get completely mixed

Do not add sugar to ORS, and never mix ORS in any fluid other than water, be it juice, milk or aerated beverages.

 

Benefits of ORS

ORS is an effective remedy, along with a potential lifesaver. As per the World Health Organisation, diarrhoea and related diseases is the second biggest cause of death in children lower than five years old. Here are the key benefits of ORS:

• Replenishes the body with essential salts
• Restores electrolyte balance of the body
• Fights against dehydration
• Keep the body fit

 

Some frequently asked questions around ORS and its consumption

 

Is it safe to prepare ORS and then keep it stored for future use?

The National Health Portal of India advises that the glass or utensil in which ORS is kept should be covered and it should not be stored for more than 24 hours due to the risk of contamination.

 

Is ORS safe for people for all age groups?

ORS is perfectly safe from anyone suffering from diarrhea and dehydration, be it children, adults or elderly. It's more essential for infants and children though as dehydration is more threatening for them.

 

What will happen if ORS is made with unfiltered/ impure water that's not fit for drinking?

Preparing ORS with water that contains bacterial and other impurities would make it totally ineffective and even harmful.

 

In the Nutshell

Diarrhoea is still among the leading causes of infant mortality in a lot of developing countries. The main cause of diarrhoea is poor sanitation and lack of hygienic conditions. It leads to the loss of essential fluids from the body, which can be fatal. It's one of the mass-level primary healthcare interventions that can help reduce infant mortality. It’s also essential to eat the right food to stay fit and safe from diseases. A healthy diet is one that contains all nutrients in a balanced amount. Daily exercise is also essential to maintain physical as well as mental health. These days due to surging healthcare costs and to save on hospitalisation expenses, it's necessary to select a good, all-around health insurance plan.

Save the date on your calendar for World ORS Day 2023 and do your part in building awareness.