Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT)

Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) has saved millions of lives worldwide, particularly in low-resource settings where dehydration from diarrhea is a leading cause of death among young children. ORT’s simplicity and effectiveness have made it one of the most powerful public health interventions, preventing severe dehydration and complications that would otherwise require intravenous treatment.

The Discovery and Invention of ORT in Bangladesh

ORT’s development is largely credited to research conducted in the 1960s by Dr. Norbert Hirschhorn, Dr. David Nalin, and Dr. Richard Cash at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B), also known as the Cholera Research Laboratory in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Their work demonstrated that a solution of salt, sugar, and water could rehydrate patients effectively, without the need for IV fluids.

During a cholera epidemic in the 1970s in refugee camps in Bangladesh, this therapy proved transformative. Faced with limited access to medical supplies and a rapidly spreading disease, the researchers administered ORS, which turned out to be as effective as IV treatment. This marked the beginning of ORT’s widespread adoption.

ORT’s Life-Saving Impact

• Significant Reduction in Mortality: Since the introduction of ORT, the death rate from diarrheal diseases has drastically dropped, saving an estimated 50 million lives globally.
• WHO and UNICEF Endorsement: In the 1980s, both organizations began promoting ORT on a global scale, especially in regions with high rates of diarrheal disease.
• Accessible and Scalable Solution: The low cost, ease of preparation, and effectiveness of ORT made it suitable for use at home, transforming healthcare in remote and underserved communities.
• Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) is a simple, cost-effective treatment for dehydration, particularly due to diarrhea, which is a common cause of dehydration in children and adults globally. The therapy involves the administration of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), a mixture of clean water, salt, and sugar, designed to replenish lost fluids and electrolytes.
  

  Key Components of ORS:

  1. Clean Water: The primary component, ensuring hydration.
  2. Salt (Sodium and Potassium): Essential for electrolyte balance, helping to prevent dehydration and muscle cramps.
  3. Sugar (Glucose): Aids in the absorption of salt and water in the intestines, making rehydration more effective.

  How ORT Works?

  • Absorption: The glucose in ORS facilitates the uptake of sodium (and hence water) in the intestines, enabling rapid rehydration.
  • Electrolyte Replacement: ORT helps replace electrolytes lost during dehydration, preventing complications associated with electrolyte imbalance.

  How to Use ORT

  1. Mixing ORS: Mix one packet of ORS with the recommended amount of clean water (usually one liter).
  2. Administration: Sip the solution slowly, especially after each episode of diarrhea or vomiting.
  3. Frequency: Continue to drink ORS as needed, especially in cases of frequent fluid loss.

  Benefits of ORT:

  • Prevention of Severe Dehydration: ORT can prevent mild dehydration from progressing to severe stages.
  • Reduction in Mortality: Effective in reducing death rates from dehydration, especially among children in low-resource settings.
  • Accessibility: ORT is inexpensive, easy to prepare, and can be used at home, reducing the need for hospitalization.