Context:
Recent studies aims to raise awareness among healthcare providers about patients’ preferences for ORS and its usefulness.
Oral rehydration salts (ORS):
- An oral powder containing mixture of ectrolytes (salts) and carbohydrates (in the form of sugar)
- Mixture contains – glucose, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and sodium citrate.
- Used to replace salts and water that the body loses when you have dehydration caused by gastroenteritis, diarrhoea or vomiting.
- Sodium and potassium are electrolytes present in ORS.
- With the presence of sodium only glucose can be properly absorbed.
- Components present in ORS maximize fluid absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.
- The gastrointestinal tract relies on – Sodium-glucose cotransporters (SGLTs)
- SGLTs carries proteins and pairs together sodium and glucose transport in the small intestine
- Allows glucose to increase the absorption of fluids
- Cotransporters – Helps to move substances across membranes.
- Since 1975, Both WHO and UNICEF used ORS to treat dehydration due to diarrhoea.
- Commonly used in countries with limited access to clean water or other hydration options.
- In developing countries home-made salt/sugar mixtures are used rehydration drinks are not available (but they have to be made carefully as too much salt can be dangerous).
Diarrhoeal Disease:
- A symptom of an infection in the intestinal tract, which can be caused by a variety of bacterial, viral and parasitic organisms.
- Infection is spread through contaminated food or drinking-water or from person-to-person as a result of poor hygiene.
- Leading cause of malnutrition in children under 5 years old.
- 2nd leading cause of death in children under 5 years old.
- Both preventable and treatable.
- Global Scenario –
- Nearly 1.7 billion cases of childhood diarrhoeal disease every year.
- Kills around 5 lakh children under five annually
- A significant proportion of diarrhoeal disease can be prevented through safe drinking-water and adequate sanitation and hygiene.
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
‘Triclosan’, considered harmful when exposed to high levels for a long time, is most likely present in which of the following?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2021 Prelims]
(a) Food preservatives
(b) Fruit-ripening substances
(c) Reused plastic. Containers
(d)Toiletries
Answer: (d)
