---
title: "What Is Oral Rehydration Solution? Heat Stress and Hydration Glossary"
description: "Oral rehydration solution (ORS) is a mix of clean water, salt and sugar. Doctors use it to replace water and electrolytes lost in illnesses such as diarrhea."
url: https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/oral-rehydration-solution
publisher: JMAR Solutions
phone: +1-214-632-7780
quote: https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/contact
---

Hydration science

# Oral rehydration solution

Oral rehydration solution (ORS) is a mix of clean water, salt and sugar. Doctors use it to replace water and electrolytes lost in illnesses such as diarrhea.

Oral rehydration solution, or ORS, is a standard drink for fluid loss. The World Health Organization describes it as a mixture of clean water, salt and sugar. It replaces the water and electrolytes the body loses. WHO names diarrhea as the main use.

ORS is not the same as a workplace [electrolyte](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/electrolyte) product. It is used for fluid loss from illness such as diarrhea. Rapid Restoration Drops are a dietary supplement with no sugar. They support hydration and are not a medical treatment. For how the two compare, see [electrolyte drops vs oral rehydration solution](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/compare/electrolyte-drops-vs-oral-rehydration-solution) and our [dehydration](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/dehydration) entry.

[From JMAR SolutionsHydration programs and toolbox talks for crews](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/hydration-programs)

## Related terms

-   [Electrolyte](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/electrolyte)
-   [Dehydration](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/dehydration)
-   [Hydration](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/hydration)
-   [Sports drink](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/sports-drink)

## Sources

1.  [WHO: Diarrhoeal disease fact sheet](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diarrhoeal-disease)
2.  [WHO: Diarrhoeal disease fact sheet](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diarrhoeal-disease)

![Ironworkers silhouetted on a steel frame against a hot orange sunset](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/_astro/sunset-steel.IhAMDca0_6wk53.webp)

## See it on your crew in 15 minutes

Jennifer walks your safety team through the drops, the protocol and the numbers on a short live call.

[Book a 15-minute demo](https://calendly.com/jen-jmarsolutions/15-min-meeting)