Best medicine for combating diarrhoea is prevention of dehydration

Our Reporter
Dimapur, Jan. 5 (EMN): The most important medicine for combating diarrhoea is prevention of dehydration and the replacement of lost fluids through oral rehydration solution (ORS), specifically the World Health Organisation (WHO)-recommended packet.

This was shared by Dr. Apong Longchar, paediatrician at Nikos Hospital and Research Centre Dimapur.

The child specialist pointed out that there were various packets of company-made ORS available in the market but he advised to opt for the WHO-recommended ORS, which is mentioned in the packet.

Drawing attention to the ORSL, an apple drink which is available in the market, Longchar pointed out that it is not approved by the WHO and advised against using it while suffering from diarrhoea. He cautioned that ORSL is more of an ‘energy drink’ and therefore is not recommended for adults and children during sickness recovery as it contains high quantities of sodium, potassium and salt.

‘It (ORSL) gives a lot of pressure to our kidney,’ he said.

‘During diarrhoea, the intake of ORSL worsens the condition and the company also strictly and clearly warns in the ORSL packet not to use the drink during diarrhoea,’ he added.

On the intake of the solution, the paediatrician shared the amount of ORS to be given for different age groups after each loose stools — five spoons for up to two months of age; ¼ to ½ glass (50-100 ml) for two months to two years; ½ cup to 1 glass (100 to 200 ml) for two to 10 years old; and up to 2 litre per day for those over 10 years old.

“Diarrhoea in infants below two months of age could also be a feature of some serious infections and prompt medical advice should be sought from pediatricians while continuing oral rehydration and breastfeeding,” he advised.

‘To make the solution of the ORS, follow the instructions on the packet and most important tips are to use clean water and mix the whole ORS powder packet in water at one go. The bigger ORS packet is to be mixed in 1 litre water and the small packet in a glass of water. Since a child cannot finish the 1 litre of ORS in a day, the ORS can be kept up to 24 hours after preparation but not beyond 24 hours,’ he shared.

During an emergency, especially at night and where health service is not easily available, the child specialist said that the solution can be prepared at home with six spoons of sugar and half spoon of salt in 1 litre of water.