What Is An Oral Rehydration Solution?
Oral rehydration solutions (electrolytes) are designed to replace both lost water and electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and chloride. Originally, (since the 1940’s) ORS’s were originally administered only intravenously, (directly into the blood) to bypass problems in the sodium transport channel within the intestine. . . In 1966 through 1971, Dr. Norbert Hirschhorn, working at the Cholera Research Laboratory in Bangladesh, devised the first medically documented oral rehydration solution containing glucose and sodium. He found that even when the sodium transport system was knocked out, a glucose-(also called dextrose) based water transport channel can still operate and act as the bridge for water to greatly enhance water absorption. Thus, glucose-based oral electrolyte solution for humans and livestock was born. . . When using ORS’s follow the mixing directions. Do not increase the concentration or you may negatively affect absorption. And, glucose is not the same as sucrose (table
