Why do we feel refreshed after drinking ORS during dehydration?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Solution: The correct answer is It restores electrolytes and water.
Explanation:
☛ ORS stands for Oral Rehydration Salts (or Oral Rehydration Solution).
☛ During dehydration caused by excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea, the body loses vital fluids and essential electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and chloride.
☛ ORS contains a precise balance of glucose and salts that utilizes the sodium-glucose co-transport mechanism in the intestinal wall.
☛ This mechanism enables the rapid absorption of water and minerals directly into the bloodstream, quickly restoring cellular hydration and electrolyte balance, which makes one feel refreshed.
Extra Exam-Relevant Facts:
☛ WHO Formulation: The standard WHO-recommended low-osmolarity ORS contains sodium chloride (2.6 g/L), glucose (13.5 g/L), potassium chloride (1.5 g/L), and trisodium citrate (2.9 g/L) with a total osmolarity of 245 mOsm/L.
☛ Dr. Dilip Mahalanabis: Indian pediatrician who pioneered the widespread clinical use of ORS during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War refugee crisis, saving millions of lives.
☛ Zinc Supplementation: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends giving zinc supplements alongside ORS to children suffering from diarrhea to reduce illness duration.
Important One-Liners for Upcoming Exams:
☛ Who is globally recognized for pioneering the large-scale clinical application of ORS? → Dr. Dilip Mahalanabis
☛ On which date is World ORS Day celebrated every year? → 29 July
☛ Which transport protein facilitates the simultaneous absorption of sodium and glucose in the intestine? → SGLT-1 (Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 1)
☛ What is the total osmolarity of the low-osmolarity ORS recommended by WHO? → 245 mOsm/L
☛ Which micronutrient is routinely advised alongside ORS for pediatric diarrhea management? → Zinc