Name: How Do Oral Rehydration Salts Work? | Healthwords
Creator: Dr Roger Henderson
Published: 2020-12-14T09:27:20.216Z

Restore hydration and replenish electrolytes. Understand how oral rehydration salts work to effectively combat dehydration. Manage your health today.

How Do Oral Rehydration Salts Work? | Healthwords

When you are losing fluid through sweat or diarrhoea, you are losing more than just water. You are losing important salts such as sodium. If you were to drink simply water, your body would lose most of it, and you would continue to lose the important salts at the same time.

When taking [O.R.S Hydration Tablets](https://www.healthwords.ai/shop/products/o-r-s-hydration-3-flavour-variety-3-x-24-soluble-tablets-health-kit!28d34ffd-0eab-443f-a768-d63205d9d2ab), the glucose helps get the sodium that is also included back into the body. This creates a path for water molecules to follow the sodium. It is a game of "follow the leader" back into the bodies cells, glucose first, then sodium, then water.

How does it work?

O.R.S Hydration Tablets - LEMON (24 Soluble Tablets)

O.R.S Hydration Tablets -  BLACKCURRANT (24 Soluble Tablets)

O.R.S Hydration Tablets - STRAWBERRY (24 Soluble Tablets)

O.R.S Hydration Tablets - BLACKCURRANT (12 Soluble Tablets) 

O.R.S Hydration Tablets - LEMON (12 Soluble Tablets)

O.R.S Hydration Tablets - STRAWBERRY (12 Soluble Tablets)

O.R.S Immune JUICY ORANGE (20 Soluble Tablets)

O.R.S Sport Hydration Tablets - MIXED BERRY (20 Soluble Tablets)

O.R.S Sport Hydration Tablets - ORANGE (20 Soluble Tablets)

Hydration in its simplest form is to supply and retain water in the body's tissues. Take in too little water and you risk dehydration, making it hard for the body to carry out essential functions. And with loss of water, you lose essential salts and minerals, causing further turmoil in your body. 

We’ve all experienced mild dehydration at times, like when the weather is hot, or we are doing a sweaty workout. Fighting a fever or a stomach bug also leaves you lacking hydration. 

But you might have overlooked the toll a flight can take on your body. An airline cabin draws air in from the upper atmosphere for us to breathe in, and this is very dry. The air cabin can be less humid than the Sahara desert, and you actually lose water through your breath. Telling signs can be a dry feeling in your nose and throat, your contact lenses feeling scratchy, and you might be passing urine less, or it’s dark and strong-smelling. 

You might feel thirsty, but this is actually a late sign, as when thirst sets in, your body is already 2% dehydrated. You need to work hard to replace this. Your body will work best if you can plan ahead to avoid dehydration, rather than playing catch-up. 

If you’re travelling with little ones, they have a higher body surface area and breathe a bit faster, so they can become dehydrated even more quickly, and salt imbalance follows. It can be tempting to let them snooze through the flight (and give you some peace), but feeling tired and sleepy can also be a sign of dehydration, so make sure they have fuelled up before nodding off. 

Dr Kandi - The hydration skin pinch test

Oral rehydration salts are a balanced formulation of electrolytes and minerals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium phosphorus, chloride, and a small proportion of glucose. They can be added to water to make a solution that’s readily absorbed by the body.

This scientifically balanced mix is absorbed through the small intestine by a process called osmosis, and get fluid back into the bloodstream up to three times faster than drinking water alone. This fast-tracks fluids to the tissues that need it, allowing you to carry on or recover from a workout. They are also the right choice for hot climates or a bout of [gastroenteritis](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/gastroenteritis!535cd91e-9344-48a5-af18-400875f74ffc), where [diarrhoea ](https://www.healthwords.ai/symptom/diarrhoea!d82b4457-2783-44f4-b5eb-7b84df6d90f4)or [vomiting ](https://www.healthwords.ai/symptom/nausea-and-vomiting!d82f7f16-4d94-4a5c-8ba8-13cddf20dbd1)causes water loss.

Dehydration is a condition characterised by an inadequate amount of fluid in the body, resulting from either insufficient fluid intake or excessive fluid loss. This imbalance disrupts the body's normal functions and can lead to a range of symptoms and health complications. Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in, causing a decrease in the volume of water and electrolytes (such as sodium, potassium, and chloride) circulating in the body. This can happen due to various factors, including excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, prolonged exposure to heat, or insufficient fluid intake. Dehydration can manifest with symptoms such as thirst, dry mouth, dark urine, fatigue, dizziness, headache, confusion, and, in severe cases, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, and loss of consciousness. Prompt recognition and treatment of dehydration are essential to restore fluid balance, prevent complications, and promote overall well-being.

Ensuring adequate [hydration](https://www.healthwords.ai/article/hydration-in-a-nutshell!36490388-dc64-488e-b903-030145b20c39) to ensure our bodies remain healthy can be a tough ask, especially in hot conditions, and during strenuous activities or exercise. Hot temperatures and increased water and salt losses can lead to dehydration. Mild dehydration may be felt as thirst, headache, mild dizziness, reduced need to urinate and dry skin. In its more severe form, dehydration can result in reduced alertness, fatigue, muscle cramps, loss of consciousness and long-term damage to your kidneys.

Dr Kandi - Skin PINCH HYDRATION TEST

All runners know that great hydration matters. When on a run, [hydration](https://www.healthwords.ai/article/hydration:-replacing-electrolytes-with-sports-drinks-and-others!21cc7fba-e8f4-48f7-a01b-68bb1128b1ba) helps because it slows the rate at which fatigue sets in. From how limber we feel, to how quickly we tire, hydration can be the difference between a sluggish run or a new personal best. Let’s take a look at how it works.

Dr Kandi - The skin pinch hydration test

Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) are a balanced formulation of [electrolytes](https://www.healthwords.ai/article/electrolyte-replacement-products!448db011-2fbc-4bec-af22-b619795b4e1c), salts, and minerals such as:

- sodium
- potassium
- magnesium
- phosphorus
- chloride
- small proportion of glucose

They can be added to water to make a solution that’s readily absorbed by the body. The electrolyte composition of ORS is carefully balanced to mimic the electrolyte concentrations found in the human body, facilitating optimal absorption and retention of fluids.

Dr Kandi - The Skin Pinch Hydration Test

Dioralyte: uses, benefits & dosage information

Dioralyte is an [oral rehydration](https://www.healthwords.ai/treatment/oral-rehydration-solution!7093f011-836c-4faa-b89f-2eca44d17b2c) therapy and contains a mix of electrolytes and minerals necessary to avoid dehydration. Often patients will take Dioralyte following bouts of exercise, diarrhoea or vomiting.

The formulation contains different essential salts such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride, disodium hydrogen citrate and a small amount of sugar in the form of glucose. The product can be added to water to make a solution that’s readily absorbed by the body.

Diarrhoea is defined as stool, or poo, that is loose or watery and you usually need to go to the toilet more often. It's very common and most cases improve by themselves within a day or two. There are many causes of diarrhoea, ranging from infection, allergy, anxiety, medication side-effects or long term conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. 

Dr Kim - Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea and vomiting – how to get through it

Diarrhoea and vomiting is something most of us have suffered at some point in our lives. For many, it is a horrible week’s worth of symptoms, and then things begin to feel better. Here, I wanted to share with you some of the common questions I get asked by my patients as a doctor and how I got through my most recent bout of D + V thanks to some questionable re-heated chicken (the fault was all mine).

Dr Karen - Diarrhoea

Is your lifestyle stressing your skin out?

We have all had that important date in the diary coming up, and a day or so before, what happens – our skin breaks out. There are many different things in our day to day life that can affect how our skin is reacting. Some in the short term, and others over the long term. Here the Healthwords medical team takes a look at some of these lifestyle factors in detail that can contribute to changes with your skin.  

How many glasses of water should you drink each day?

Dr Kandi discusses recommendations of a hydration skin pinch test

Hydration recommendations

Dr Kandi explains the pinch test, and how it can help you detect whether you're adequately hydrated.

Dr Kandi - Pinch test

Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a very rare condition that leads to an imbalance of fluid in the body because of a problem with a specific hormone. **It is not related to [diabetes mellitus](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/diabetes-mellitus!0e9c66ce-7b16-4bf8-8012-dc4f4fe48307)** – a problem with regulating blood sugars – but shares some symptoms. With DI, you will feel very thirsty and drink several litres per day, coupled with an increase in how much you’re peeing out.

Hydration: Replacing electrolytes with sports drinks and others

Hydration refers to the process of providing the body with an adequate amount of fluid, typically water, to sustain proper physiological function. It involves maintaining the body's fluid balance by replenishing lost fluids through various means, including drinking water, consuming hydrating foods, and absorbing fluids from beverages. Proper hydration is crucial for supporting vital bodily functions such as regulating body temperature, transporting nutrients and oxygen, lubricating joints, and eliminating waste products. Adequate [hydration](https://www.healthwords.ai/article/hydration-in-a-nutshell!36490388-dc64-488e-b903-030145b20c39) helps keep the body functioning optimally and promotes overall health and well-being.

Exercise uses up fluids and salts through sweating, breathing fast and hard, and making muscles work to their absolute max. There are so many products to take you beyond plain old water, the choice can be bewildering, so what’s going to fuel your gym session or get the most of your triathlon? Our pharmacist is here to cut through the big claims and let you know what’s behind the label.

Dr Roger Henderson

Chief Content Officer

Oral rehydration therapy (also known as oral rehydration salts, or solution) is used to prevent and treat dehydration. Around the world, it is used to prevent serious illness and death from diarrhoea. It has been reported to reduce the risk of death by more than 90%. It is considered so important that it is a part of the World Health Organisation's list of essential medicines.

How do oral rehydration salts work?

Doctor’s advice

How does it work?

Pharmacist recommended products

Related topics

Hydration in a nutshell

Electrolyte replacement products

Dehydration and heatstroke

Hydration – fuelling the runner

Oral rehydration solution (ORS)

Dioralyte: uses, benefits & dosage information

Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea and vomiting – how to get through it

Is your lifestyle stressing your skin out?

How many glasses of water should you drink each day?

Hydrated skin and the pinch test

Diabetes insipidus

Hydration: Replacing electrolytes with sports drinks and others