What are oral rehydration salts?

Oral rehydration salts (ORS) are a collection of salts, usually potassium, sodium, and chloride, that are combined with water and a small amount of sugar to prevent dehydration resulting from diarrhea or vomiting. Oral rehydration salts, when reconstituted, are sometimes called oral rehydration solution or oral rehydration therapy. ORS has been used by organizations such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) in developing countries to treat illnesses like Cholera that could otherwise be fatal. ORS is often used to treat Traveler's diarrhea for people who have visited areas with poor food and water sanitation. In the United States, many grocery stores and drugstores have ORS available in such forms as Pedialyte, but ORS can also be made at home with common kitchen products like salt and baking soda.