Latest news with #OralRehydrationSalts
Hans India
3 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
ORS affordable, effective healthcare solution for dehydration & diarrhoea: Nadda
Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) is an affordable and effective healthcare solution for dehydration and diarrhoea, said Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Tuesday. World ORS Day is observed annually on July 29 to raise awareness about the importance of Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) in treating dehydration caused by diarrhoea and other conditions. 'Today, we observe World ORS Day to highlight the importance of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) as an affordable and effective healthcare solution for treating dehydration and diarrhea,' Nadda said in a post on social media platform X. 'ORS is a simple yet powerful remedy that prevents and treats dehydration, a condition that can be life-threatening, especially in young children. 'This day aims to raise widespread awareness about this lifesaving treatment, ensuring that everyone has access to this crucial remedy that has the potential to save millions of lives,' the Union Minister said. Acute diarrhoeal diseases are one of the leading causes of mortality in infants and young children in many developing countries. In most cases, death is caused by dehydration. Dehydration from diarrhoea can be prevented by giving extra fluids at home, or it can be treated effectively and cheaply in all age groups. In severe cases, patients must be given an adequate glucose-electrolyte solution -- ORS as recommended by the WHO Diarrhoeal Diseases Control (CDD) Programme. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) advises giving ORS and zinc to children on time to prevent diarrhoea and dehydration. It is also available free of cost at every health centre. In 2024, the MoHFW rebranded its long-standing Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) as the STOP Diarrhoea Campaign to tackle the persistent issue of childhood diarrhoea and strive for zero child deaths. The initiative, which began in 2014, focuses on enhancing the Prevent, Protect, and Treat (PPT) strategy and increasing the use of ORS and Zinc. The campaign aimed at strengthening health infrastructure, improving access to clean water and sanitation, enhancing nutritional programmes, and promoting hygiene education.
The Hindu
06-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Telangana Health department warns of surge in monsoon illnesses
With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting light to moderate rainfall across Telangana for the next week and issuing heavy rainfall alert for the next two days, the Health department has issued a public advisory urging citizens to take preventive measures against a likely surge in seasonal illnesses. The advisory, issued by B. Ravinder Nayak, director of Public Health and Family Welfare on Sunday, highlights the heightened risk of vector-borne, water-borne and airborne diseases during monsoon. Lower temperatures and increased humidity, typical of the season, are known to foster conditions conducive to illnesses such as dengue, malaria, typhoid, viral fevers and influenza. To tackle the mosquito menace and prevent diseases like malaria, dengue, and chikungunya, citizens have been urged to secure doors and windows with mosquito screens or nets, cover beds and cribs with mosquito nets, especially at night, use mosquito repellents regularly, maintain household drains to prevent water stagnation, ensure septic tanks are covered with mesh to avoid mosquito breeding, and observe 'Friday Dry Day' every week by emptying and drying out any containers or spots where water may collect around the house. With the risk of infections such as jaundice, typhoid, and acute gastroenteritis on the rise during rains, the Health Department has advised people to drink only filtered or boiled water, wash hands thoroughly, especially before meals and after using the restroom, and avoid outside food, particularly stale or uncovered items. The advisory also covers precautions against airborne infections, including viral fevers and seasonal flu. People have been asked to refrain from shaking hands if unwell or in contact with someone who is sick, use hand sanitisers frequently, cover the mouth and nose with a handkerchief while coughing or sneezing. Individuals experiencing flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, headache, and body aches are urged to visit the nearest government health facility. One can call the '108' ambulance service in case of any health emergency. The department has made special arrangements across all public health facilities. These include the provisioning of special beds, IV fluids, essential medicines, and Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS). ANMs, ASHAs and Anganwadi workers have also been equipped with medicines and ORS sachets to respond swiftly to any emergency at the community level, the advisory said.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Dehydration isn't just a summer problem - Here's why Oral Rehydration Solution is a year-round essential
Dehydration isn't just a summer problem - Here's why Oral Rehydration Solution is a year-round essential Dehydration is a major health concern that is often ignored and only paid attention to in conditions like diarrhoea, vomiting, or extreme heat exhaustion. Often underestimated, dehydration can quickly become life-threatening. For common understanding, dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in. This loss may happen due to illness (such as diarrhoea or vomiting), excessive sweating, or simply not drinking enough water. Common symptoms include dry mouth, fatigue, dizziness, and reduced urine output. It is also important to understand that dehydration is not confined to any particular season and needs to be addressed in a timely manner. Recognising the signs and symptoms of dehydration, and taking steps to prevent and treat it, is crucial for maintaining good health—needless to mention, with due advice from your medical practitioner. A simple solution to address this big problem of dehydration is Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS). It is important to know and take note that an ORS approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) has a balanced mix of salts and sugars, with an osmolarity of 245 mosmol/litre. A WHO-approved ORS will always have the osmolarity written on the pack label, and it is important to identify this. This combination optimises the absorption of fluid and electrolytes, which helps quickly restore and replenish the loss. Contrary to popular belief, high-sugar beverages can worsen dehydration rather than relieve it. These drinks can draw water out of the body, intensifying the feeling of thirst and leaving individuals even more dehydrated. That's why it's important to choose scientifically formulated solutions like Oral Rehydration Solution, which are designed to rehydrate effectively. Today, there's a lot of misleading communication in the market that can confuse consumers—many products are labelled with 'ORS' but don't meet the World Health Organisation's recommended formulation. This can lead people to choose products that don't actually provide the right balance of electrolytes and glucose needed to treat dehydration effectively. It's essential to educate consumers on identifying genuine, scientifically backed ORS solutions. Managing dehydration effectively means more than just drinking water—it's about consuming the right balance of fluid and electrolytes. A scientifically formulated Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) contains the ideal mix of glucose and electrolytes that help your body absorb water quickly and restore lost fluids and salts. Choosing the right Oral Rehydration Solution can make a real difference in how fast you recover from dehydration. FDC Electral is committed to combating dehydration by raising awareness about the vital role of Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS). The brand believes in the power of this simple, effective solution to manage and prevent dehydration, and is actively working along with the medical fraternity to educate people and patients at large on its importance and usage. ELECTRAL , a brand trusted by Doctors & relied upon by millions of people has been rehydrating lives since 1972. Electral is available in standard packaging of: 21.8 g (to be reconstituted in 1 litre of water) 4.4 g (in 200 ml of water) 200 ml Ready-to-Drink Tetrapak To meet varying taste preferences, ELECTRAL is now available in five new refreshing flavours: Fresh Mango Shikanji Lime Lychee Burst Pinacolada Punch Blackcurrant Blast As consumer preferences continue to evolve, FDC is committed to keeping ELECTRAL at the forefront through continuous innovation and the introduction of new offerings that cater to emerging needs. The above is non-editorial content and TIL does not guarantee, vouch or endorse any of it. Please take all steps necessary to ascertain that any information and content provided is correct, updated, and verified. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
New Indian Express
04-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Energy drinks sold as ORS substitutes in Tiruchy pharmacies
TIRUCHY: Pharmacies across Tiruchy are misleading customers by handing out energy and electrolyte drinks when asked for Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS), a recent TNIE inspection has found. Health officials and doctors warn this is dangerous, as these drinks don't meet World Health Organization (WHO) standards and can worsen dehydration during diarrhoea due to the presence of high sugar content. WHO-approved ORS packets are available free at government health centres and hospitals. "They are sold in pharmacies only in powder form never in bottles as prepared ORS must be consumed within 24 hours," a DPH statement said. Yet, when TNIE visited multiple medical stores in Tiruchy, several pharmacies handed over branded electrolyte tetra packs instead of ORS sachets. Though these tetra packs carry disclaimers like "not for medical use" or "not ORS," many mistake them for ORS. "People ask for particular brands, thinking they are right for dehydration and pick some fruit-flavoured packs. Selling these packs are profitable too, as its prices are nearly ten times the price of ORS powders," a pharmacist said. "Correct ORS has precise amounts of sodium, potassium, chloride, and glucose. These energy drinks lack that balance, and high sugar can worsen dehydration," warned Dr G Sathish Kumar, Professor of General Medicine at KAPV Government Medical College and MGMGH. Dr Sivaprasath P, Professor of Paediatrics, said, "No energy drink can replace WHO-approved ORS. Only standard ORS protects against severe dehydration. Commercial energy drinks are risky, especially for children."
