Principally this involves giving the dehydrated individual glucose and sodium - the latter as salt.
Glucose and sodium are cotransported into the epithelium, the movement of ions driving the water absorption from the gut. The transporter system usually remains intact during an episode of diarrhoea; thus, its action can be exploited.
oral rehydration salts
Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) is the non-proprietary name for a balanced glucose-electrolyte mixture, first used in 1969 and approved, recommended, and distributed by UNICEF and WHO as a drug for the treatment of clinical dehydration throughout the world (1).
A new 'improved' ORS has been developed which is safe and effective as standard ORS for preventing or treating dehydration from all types of diarrhoea but which, in addition, would reduce stool output or have other important clinical benefits.
Composition of the new ORS solution:
new ORS | g/l | % | new ORS | mmol/l |
Sodium chloride | 2.6 | 12.683 | Sodium | 75 |
Glucose, anhydrous | 13.5 | 65.85 | Chloride | 65 |
Potassium chloride | 1.5 | 7.31 | Glucose, anhydrous | 75 |
Trisodium citrate, dehydrate | 2.9 | 14.16 | Potassium | 20 |
|
|
| Citrate | 10 |
total | 20.5 | 100 | total osmolarity | 245 |
Often lactose intolerance is seen in the primary phases of gastroenteritis, but it is usually a good idea to continue breast feeding.
Reference:
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