Medical Saline Solution given to Cholera patients

[Rongeet Banerjee]

TL;DR Summary

Function of Na+ ions in saline drip

Does Na+ions prevent water loss from body?

 

[shjacks45]

Human body is big bag of saline solution. But diarrhea causes fluid and salt loss and human enzymes need minimum salt level. Normally the saline has some glucose to speed absorption. Some of the food poisoning (diarrhea) bacteria interfere with chloride metabolism. Although Sodium is the highest concentration electrolyte, Potassium is required by heart and nervous system.

 

[Rongeet Banerjee]

Human body is big bag of saline solution. But diarrhea causes fluid and salt loss and human enzymes need minimum salt level. Normally the saline has some glucose to speed absorption. Some of the food poisoning (diarrhea) bacteria interfere with chloride metabolism. Although Sodium is the highest concentration electrolyte, Potassium is required by heart and nervous system.

Sorry, but I still don't understand how does Na+ help in preventing water loss from body.

 

[Mr Green T]

Sorry, but I still don't understand how does Na+ help in preventing water loss from body.

Are you confusing with NaCl? Remember the ratio of ions is 1:1 the idea is to keep salt in the body not prevent water loss. Na+ ions can be useful to maintain cell membrane permeability among other things.

 

[atyy]

In cholera, it is not too effective to give water alone to rehydrate (sodium and glucose are also important), because factors have to be supplied that enable the body to take up the water. Historically, many people came across the correct solution, but understanding why had to wait for the discovery of the sodium-glucose symporter mechanism.

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-28564607
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_rehydration_therapy

 

[Tom.G]

Several years ago I ran across a WHO recommendation for a home Rehydration Fluid until patient can get medical attention: 1 liter water, 1 handful sugar, a pinch of salt.

Here is a link to the World Health Organization "WHO Model Formulary for Children", 2010.
Description/discussion is on pg.370 (388 in the PDF file)
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/44309/9789241599320_eng.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y17.5.1 Oral rehydration
Acute diarrhoea in children should always be treated with ORS, according to their degree of
dehydration, following one of three management plans (see Oral rehydration solution monograph).
Oral rehydration salts
ATC code: A07CA
Powder for dilution in 200 ml; 500 ml; 1 litre
Contains: glucose 13.5 g/l, sodium chloride 2.6 g/l, potassium chloride 1.5 g/l, trisodium citrate
dihydrate 2.9 g/l
Provides: glucose 75 mmol/l, sodium 75 mEq or mmol/l, chloride 65 mEq or mmol/l, potassium
20 mEq or mmol/l, citrate 10 mmol/l, osmolarity 245 mOsm/l
Special Notes: Oral rehydration salts are also referred to as ORS.
Known by the brand names Gastrolyte and Dioralyte.
Indications: Oral rehydration salts replace fluid and salts lost in acute diarrhoea.
Precautions: Renal impairment. Cheers,
Tom

 

[Rongeet Banerjee]

In cholera, it is not too effective to give water alone to rehydrate (sodium and glucose are also important), because factors have to be supplied that enable the body to take up the water. Historically, many people came across the correct solution, but understanding why had to wait for the discovery of the sodium-glucose symporter mechanism.

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-28564607
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_rehydration_therapy

Thank You.