Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) is a treatment method used to combat dehydration caused by acute diarrheal diseases. It involves the use of an oral rehydration solution (ORS), which is a mixture of clean water, salt, and sugar, specifically formulated to replace lost fluids and electrolytes in a balanced manner. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) recommend ORT as a simple and effective way to reduce the severity of dehydration and to save lives, particularly in children with diarrhea.

The ORS contains the right amounts of salt and sugar, which are crucial for the absorption of the solution in the intestines. The glucose in the ORS helps to draw water into the body, while the salt is necessary to replace what is lost through diarrhea. The therapy is administered in small, frequent sips to ensure that the body can effectively absorb the solution without causing further discomfort.

It is important to note that ORT is not a cure for the underlying cause of the diarrhea but rather a supportive treatment to manage the symptoms and prevent complications such as dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

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Oral rehydration therapy. Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) is a type of fluid replacement used to prevent and treat dehydration, especially that due to diarrhea. It involves drinking water with modest amounts of sugar and salts. ... Therapy should routinely include the use of zinc supplements.read more >>