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WiRED’s Latest Release Is Module on Dehydration

BY ALLISON KOZICHAROW; EDITED BY BERNICE BORN

D

ehydration leads to 1.5 million deaths each year — mostly in young children from developing countries. The tragedy is that with simple treatment these lives could have been saved.

 

WiRED International now offers an educational course on dehydration in our Learning Center. This module, which is for general audiences, joins our already existing course for health care professionals.

 

Dehydration is the condition when the body does not have enough fluid to work properly. Anyone may become dehydrated, but young children, older adults and people with chronic illnesses are most at risk.

 

Our module describes dehydration, its causes, risk factors, symptoms, signs in children, treatment (including oral rehydration therapy) and prevention. The administration of Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS) solution to replace the water and minerals lost during diarrhea provides all that is needed in one convenient packet to treat dehydration. The solution is available from health centers and clinics or may be purchased from local stores.

 


Dr. Robert Northrup, a member of WiRED’s advisory board, was one of the medical experts involved in the development of oral rehydration therapy many years ago. USAID recognized his role in its publication, Oral Rehydration Therapy—A Revolution in Child Survival. For more on Dr. Northrup and his work, see an earlier WiRED story.

People living in regions without access to pre-packaged ORS can create their own solutions from ordinary salt, sugar and water—in carefully measured portions. This module describes how to mix the life-saving solution at home in a matter of minutes.

 

Education saves lives. WiRED continues to work towards the goal of eliminating medical and health inequality in communities worldwide.

 

All WiRED modules are peer-reviewed and free to be viewed and downloaded from anywhere.

 

 

Test your knowledge on dehydration!

 

1. On a normal day, adults need about how many glasses of water? 





2. True or False: The loss of bodily fluids, such as through diarrhea, sweating, urination, even blood loss, can lead to dehydration.



3. To make ORT solution you add how much sugar to one liter of clean water?






Show me the answers!

Question 1: The correct answer is: 8 glasses.

Question 2: The correct answer is True.

Question 3: The correct answer is: 6 teaspoons sugar.

You answered them all right!

 

Spend a few minutes going through the Dehydration training module. It's a lifesaver.

 

 

 

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