How to Rehydrate with Oral Rehydration Solutions
In the previous part of the series, we learned how to stay hydrated in a survival situation. We also learned how to prevent and recognize dehydration. However, sometimes dehydration can be caused by diarrhea or vomiting, which can result in a significant loss of fluids and electrolytes. In these cases, drinking plain water may not be enough to rehydrate your body. You may need to use oral rehydration solutions (ORS) to restore your fluid and electrolyte balance.
What are Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS)?
Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) are liquids that contain water, sugar, salt, and sometimes other ingredients, such as baking soda or citrus juice. They are designed to replace the fluids and electrolytes that are lost due to diarrhea or vomiting. They can help prevent or treat dehydration, shock, and acidosis (a condition where your blood becomes too acidic).
ORS work by using the principle of osmosis. Osmosis is the movement of water across a membrane from a region of low solute concentration to a region of high solute concentration. In this case, the membrane is the lining of your intestines, and the solute is the sugar and salt in the ORS. When you drink ORS, the sugar and salt attract water from your bloodstream into your intestines. This increases the amount of water in your intestines, which helps flush out the bacteria or toxins that are causing diarrhea or vomiting. It also increases the amount of water in your bloodstream, which helps rehydrate your body and improve your blood pressure.
How to Make Homemade ORS
You can buy ORS packets from pharmacies or health centers, but they may not be available or affordable in some situations. Fortunately, you can make your own ORS at home using common ingredients. Here are some recipes for homemade ORS:
- Basic ORS: Mix 6 teaspoons of sugar and 0.5 teaspoon of salt in 1 liter of clean water. Stir well until dissolved.
- Baking Soda ORS: Mix 6 teaspoons of sugar, 0.5 teaspoon of salt, and 0.5 teaspoon of baking soda in 1 liter of clean water. Stir well until dissolved.
- Citrus Juice ORS: Mix 6 teaspoons of sugar, 0.5 teaspoon of salt, and 0.5 cup of citrus juice (such as lemon, lime, or orange) in 1 liter of clean water. Stir well until dissolved.
You can also add a pinch of potassium chloride or potassium-rich foods (such as bananas, potatoes, or coconut water) to your ORS to increase the potassium content.
How to Use ORS
The amount and frequency of ORS you need to drink depends on your age, weight, and severity of dehydration. A general guideline is to drink enough ORS to match the amount of fluid you lose through diarrhea or vomiting. For example, if you have one cup of diarrhea or vomit, you should drink one cup of ORS.
Some tips to use ORS are:
- Drink ORS slowly and in small sips.
- Drink ORS as soon as you start having diarrhea or vomiting.
- Drink ORS between meals, not with meals.
- Continue to drink ORS until your diarrhea or vomiting stops.
- If you have signs of severe dehydration (such as confusion, weakness, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, reduced skin elasticity, sunken eyes), seek medical attention immediately.
- If you have signs of other complications (such as blood in your stool or vomit, fever, abdominal pain), seek medical attention immediately.
Conclusion
Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) are liquids that can help you rehydrate your body when you have diarrhea or vomiting. They can prevent or treat dehydration, shock, and acidosis. You can make your own ORS at home using ingredients such as sugar, salt, baking soda, and citrus juice. You should drink enough ORS to match the amount of fluid you lose through diarrhea or vomiting.
This concludes our series on how to stay hydrated in a survival situation. We hope you found it useful and informative. Stay safe and healthy! 😊
