The pharmaceutical market has been flooded with multiple ORS variants. However, doctors have stated that there have been a high number of cases that get worse due to the duplicate ORS. This week, The Pioneer gets into detail about this as we interact with the experts to understand and provide a detailed analysis of the same.
Tejal Sinha
With summer in full swing, people are making every effort to stay cool. Our bodies attempt to adapt as the temperature rises. It occasionally cannot withstand intense heat and has various illnesses as a result. One of them is diarrhea and vomiting. You feel so uncomfortable when you have an upset stomach that you would much rather stay in instead of going out.
During this time, you look for is to keep yourself hydrated with liquids, and ORS tops the list. Oflate, there have been immense amounts of cases where having ORS has led to making the patient’s condition even worse. Yes, you read it, right? But is ORS a problem? Certainly not, because one might not be having the right ORS and just a normal fruit drink with a high sugar intake!
Before we move forward, let’s quickly understand what an ORS is:
Dehydration can be treated with oral rehydration therapy. It entails consuming a liquid that contains sugar, potassium, and sodium as electrolytes. Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) is the name of the beverage. Repleasing dehydration by mouth is the aim of oral rehydration therapy. It is usually applied to moderate cases of dehydration brought on by vomiting, diarrhea, or other ailments.
“ORS is specially formulated to replace lost fluids and electrolytes during bouts of severe diarrhea, vomiting, or even excessive sweating,” highlights Sanchi Tiwari, nutritionist at Lord’s Mark Biotech. “ORS should not be perceived as an energy drink. Rather, there are cases where people have confused ORS with stimulants with a high level of sugar and caffeine. ORS is a precise balance of salts and electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and glucose. These help in rehydration and restoring the body’s electrolyte balance more effectively than energy drinks. Also, inclusion of glucose in ORS solutions enhances fluid absorption in the GI tract, making it particularly effective for rehydration.”
Meanwhile, Aman Duggal, nutrition and exercise coach and founder of Aman Duggal University, shared that the main difference between other energy drinks and ORS lies in their purpose. “ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) is designed specifically to replenish electrolytes, whereas energy drinks aim to replenish carbohydrate stores or provide glucose to the body. Both contain electrolytes like sodium and potassium, as well as some form of carbohydrate source, typically glucose or dextrose. However, the glucose content in sports drinks is significantly higher than in ORS, as sports drinks prioritise supplying carbohydrates. Similarly, the sodium and potassium content in ORS is much higher compared to sports drinks, with ORS providing essential electrolytes in greater amounts.”
Why ORS?
ORS is preferred for dehydration, diarrhea, vomiting, and similar cases because it helps replace lost fluids and essential salts in the body. “When we’re dehydrated from diarrhea or vomiting, our bodies lose water and important minerals like sodium and potassium. ORS contains the right balance of water, sugar, and salts to help our bodies absorb these nutrients effectively. It’s like giving our bodies a special drink that helps us recover faster by replenishing what we’ve lost. Plus, since it’s taken orally, it’s easy and safe for most people, even kids, to use,” explains Garima Dev Verman, another nutritionist from The Healthy Indian Project (THIP).
The tetra packs, on the other hand, mention in small font: ‘electrolyte drink is not an ORS’ or ‘not recommended to be consumed for diarrhea’. But they are often missed by the patients. In such cases, Dr. Nihar Parekh, a well-seasoned pediatrician and founder of Cheers Child Care and Lead Doctor at SOCC (Second Opinion Online Consultations for Children), emphasises, “It is crucial to emphasise the distinction between electrolyte drinks and ORS on tetra pack labels to prevent misuse, especially in cases of diarrhea. Clear and prominent labeling stating “Not recommended for diarrhea” or “Electrolyte drink, not an ORS” can help patients make informed choices. Additionally, healthcare providers should educate patients about the importance of using ORS specifically for treating dehydration and diarrhea. It is essential for both patients and healthcare professionals to understand the proper use of ORS in managing dehydration effectively.”
To solve the problem, Dr. Subrata Das, HOD, Internal Medicine and Diabetology, Sakra World Hospital, shares that we need to make warning messages on electrolyte drink packs clearer and easier to see. “We can use bold text and put it in obvious places on the packaging. People should also be encouraged to read labels and ask questions about what’s in the drink. Many people don’t realize that too much electrolyte and sugar can be harmful, especially for certain groups. By improving labels and educating consumers, we can prevent health issues from overusing electrolyte drinks.”
Beverage or fake ORS has a lot of sugar and less sodium, which is not recommended for sugar patients, which can do more harm to their health than help.
Electrolyte imbalance: Electrolyte drinks may not contain the optimal balance of electrolytes required to replenish those lost during diarrhea. This can lead to electrolyte imbalances, such as low sodium (hyponatremia) or low potassium (hypokalemia), which can have serious health consequences.
Delayed rehydration: Electrolyte drinks may not be as effective as ORS in promoting rapid rehydration. ORS is specifically formulated to replace lost fluids and electrolytes efficiently, whereas electrolyte drinks may lack the precise composition needed for effective rehydration.
Incomplete nutritional support: ORS not only helps with rehydration but also provides some essential nutrients like glucose and electrolytes. Electrolyte drinks, especially those with high sugar content, may lack these essential nutrients, leading to incomplete nutritional support during dehydration.
Gastrointestinal distress: Some electrolyte drinks contain high levels of sugar or artificial additives that can exacerbate gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, bloating, and cramping, especially in individuals with sensitive stomachs or underlying digestive issues.
Risk of complications: Consuming electrolyte drinks instead of ORS may prolong dehydration and increase the risk of complications associated with severe dehydration, such as kidney problems, fainting, or heat-related illnesses.
In addition to ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution), Garima and other experts share that patients can also consume other fluids and foods to help rehydrate and replenish electrolytes lost due to dehydration. Some options include:
Clear broths: Chicken or vegetable broth can provide both fluids and some essential electrolytes.
Sports drinks: Commercially available sports drinks like Gatorade or Powerade contain electrolytes such as sodium and potassium, which can help replenish those lost during dehydration.
Coconut water: Coconut water is naturally rich in electrolytes, particularly potassium, making it a good option for rehydration.
Diluted fruit juices: Fruit juices diluted with water can provide some fluids and a small amount of essential nutrients and electrolytes. Opt for clear juices, like apple juice, and dilute them to reduce their sugar content.
Water-rich fruits and vegetables: Foods with high water content, such as watermelon, cucumber, and oranges, can contribute to hydration.
It’s important for patients to choose fluids and foods that are easily digestible and gentle on the stomach. If dehydration is severe or prolonged, medical attention may be necessary.
Diabetes, diarrhea, and ORS
People (adults and children) with diabetes are consuming loads and loads of these high-sugar drinks called ORSL and RebalanzVitORS in the summer without realising that the same drinks are dehydrating them more and putting them in danger rather than helping them with the correction of dehydration.
“Dehydration is dangerous, and when it comes to people with diabetes, it is even more dangerous! The high sugar content pulls water from the cells into the blood vessels and increases urination and dehydration. In addition to this, high-sugar drinks worsen diarrhea and vomiting. High sugar increases the osmolar load in the gut, pulls out water into the gut, and increases diarrhea-related complications like dehydration, kidney failure, stroke, intestinal paralysis, and death. Increased blood sugar in patients with diabetes puts them at risk of the life-threatening complication of diabetic ketoacidosis,” explains Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh, a pediatrician, and first aid trainer.
Disclaimers can’t protect dubious labels when the labels are continuing to mislead parents and patients to buy them, and when pharmacies sell these drinks as ORS.
The WHO-recommended formula doesn’t pose this risk because of the low (ideal) sugar content along with the ideal content of sodium and potassium. Drink only the WHO-recommended formula, ORS, please!
