When a hot summer day catches you unprepared, or when you are sick with repeated diarrhoea or vomiting, you may feel dizzy, weak, your mouth dry, and your body asking for water. That is dehydration at work – and sometimes, plain water does not solve the issue. This is where the simple yet well-known drink called oral rehydration solution (ORS) comes in. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), ORS can prevent mortality caused by dehydration in children[1]. The ORS benefits are significant, ranging from reducing child mortality due to diarrhea to offering a low-cost, lifesaving remedy for anyone experiencing dehydration. As the season changes, climate fluctuations, diarrheal outbreaks, and high fever can occur, so choosing and using ORS the right way can make a significant difference.
How Does an Oral Rehydration Solution Work for Dehydration?
– Each ORS sachet contains a precise mix of glucose, sodium chloride, sodium citrate, and potassium chloride [2]. This balance can help the intestines pull water back into the body instead of losing more through diarrhea or vomiting.
– Dehydration can cause blood’s viscosity to increase, cells of the body to shrink, and the kidneys to work harder. By rehydrating with ORS, you can reduce the strain on your organs, enhance blood circulation, and support recovery.
– Compared to IV fluids, ORS is simpler & more accessible to use at home, cost-effective, and does not require specialized equipment, making ORS a good choice to opt for when immediate action is required.
– Though most known for diarrheal diseases, ORS can be used in many conditions – from vomiting to sports dehydration – whenever significant fluid/electrolyte loss occurs.
How To Choose The Right ORS?
Not every marketed ORS is safe and equal. When you go to buy or prepare an ORS, here’s how to choose the correct one:
1. Certified Formulation
ORS solutions that follow the WHO-recommended electrolyte composition should only be used. WHO recommends the formulation of 6 teaspoons of sugar with half a teaspoon of salt for 1 litre of water[3].
2. Recognised Product or Sachet
Look for the official ORS sachets approved by health authorities. Recently, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) banned beverages mislabelled as ORS [4] because of health risks.
3. Correct Packaging & Expiry
Before you buy in urgency, even if you trust the pharmacy, you must check for ORS sachets’ expiry, whether they are sealed or not, and if they have proper instructions or not.
4. Avoid Sweetened Sports Drinks or Mock ORS
Sweetened sports drinks may taste like rehydration solutions, but they can lack the right electrolyte-glucose balance; they may even worsen your symptoms of dehydration in diarrhea.
5. Check for Hydration Context
ORS is used for significant fluid loss, not for casual thirst. Using it when not needed may cause an electrolyte imbalance.
Understanding these points ensures you can tap into the full ORS benefits, rather than accidentally reducing their effectiveness. Get certified ORS at your doorstep! Explore Variety In A Click!
Correct Way of Taking ORS: Dos & Safe Use
Having the right ORS sachet does not guarantee benefit unless taken correctly:
- One sachet is generally meant for 1 litre of clean water. When you mix it with too little water or too much water, both can hinder its effectiveness.
- The body can absorb fluids more efficiently when sipped slowly rather than in large gulps. So, Sip, Do Not Gulp.
- As delay can reduce the benefits, start ORS as soon as noticeable fluid loss is seen (signs like vomiting, loose stools, excessive sweating, etc.)
- Good hydration can be seen by light-coloured urine and an absence of dizziness. Hence, monitor your urine & symptoms your body is giving you.
- Adding extra sugar or salt can alter the mix, dilute the key formula, and may reduce absorption or cause harm. Avoid or don’t use flavourings or sugar.
- After mixing, use the formulation within 24 hours and discard any unused portion to avoid contamination.
- If there is severe dehydration, ORS alone may not suffice, and IV therapy may be needed on an urgent basis.
Visit and Consult A Doctor If You Feel Unsure.
ORS Benefits Explained: When & Who Should Take It
- Children with acute diarrhea: This is a classic scenario, where ORS can reduce mortality.
- Heat exhaustion/high-sweat loss: Outdoor workers or a sports person with vigorous training routines can have dehydration; this is where ORS can replenish more than water alone can.
- Vomiting & gastroenteritis: ORS can be a great option to opt for when there is a lot of fluid loss and plain water is inadequate in treating your situation.
- Post-illness recovery: When your appetite is low, ORS can support the fluid and electrolyte balance to help with recovery.
- Travellers/remote settings: ORS is easy to carry and can be used where IV facilities are not available.
Common Mistakes That Reduce ORS Benefits
You may make a mistake while drinking ORS, and recognising these pitfalls can help safeguard the genuine ORS benefits.
- Using plain water instead of electrolyte-rich mixed water, and hence it misses the salt & glucose absorption pathway.
- Waiting too long after fluid loss begins, as lost time means a lost opportunity to recover.
- Using homemade recipes without exact proportions can make them ineffective or unsafe.
- Drinking large quantities of sugary drinks instead of ORS can worsen dehydration.
- Incorrect dilution or poor hygiene can lead to contamination.
Final Thoughts
When you lose fluids from your body – whether from diarrhoea, vomiting, heat or sweat – the simple powder in water solution known as the ORS can offer a recovery that you may have never seen before. Understanding the ORS benefits, choosing the correct one, and having its intake correctly can turn moments of risk into moments of recovery. It is not about drinking more but about drinking right.
Keep a certified ORS sachet or drink in your travel pack, in your home, or at your work, and use it when needed, and respect the preparation and dosing rules. You are not just fulfilling your thirst; you are supporting your recovery, giving your body the electrolyte support, and safeguarding your hydration that it may need to bounce back.
FAQs
Q. What happens if you take ORS daily?
Drinking ORS every day when you are not dehydrated is not recommended. ORS is meant to replace the lost fluids and electrolytes during diarrhea, illness, or dehydration – not as a daily drink. Regular use can disturb your body’s electrolyte balance and put unnecessary strain on the kidneys.
Q. Can I drink ORS on an empty stomach?
Yes, ORS can be taken on an empty stomach because it is quickly absorbed and is gentle. In fact, if you are sick and vomiting too, sipping ORS slowly, even on an empty stomach, can help prevent dehydration without irritating the gut.
Q. What organs shut down when dehydrated?
When dehydration becomes severe, vital organs like the brain, kidneys, and heart can be affected first. The kidneys struggle to filter waste, the heart has to pump harder, and the brain may experience dizziness or confusion.
Q. Can the kidneys repair themselves after dehydration?
Mild dehydration can usually be reversed once you rehydrate properly. However, severe or repeated dehydration can damage the kidney tissues over time. If you face persistent symptoms, seek medical attention.
Q. What is the right way to prepare ORS?
Mix one standard WHO-recommended sachet in exactly 1 litre of clean, boiled & cooled water. Stir well until fully dissolved and sip it slowly throughout the day. Discard any leftover solution after 24 hours to avoid contamination.
References
1. Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health & Ageing (MCA). Oral rehydration salts. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-FCH-CAH-06.1. Published January 1, 2006.
2. World Health Organization. Oral Rehydration Solution.; 2005. https://www.ghsupplychain.org/sites/default/files/2022-11/MNCH%20Commodities%20Procurement-ORS.pdf.
3. World Health Organization. Hydration. https://colorectalcancer.org/sites/default/files/media/documents/ostomy_hydration_guide.pdf.
4. FSSAI Guidelines On “ORS” Term Usage
https://fssai.gov.in/upload/advisories/2025/10/68ef8cea74223clarification_151025.pdf
(The article is written by Sneha Jajoo, Intern, Clinical Health & Content, and reviewed by Monalisa Deka, Senior Health Content Editor)
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