Question

Patients suffering from cholera are given a saline drip because

• A. $Na^{+}$ ions help in stopping nerve impulses and hence, sensation of pain
• B. $Na^{+}$ ions help in the retention of water in the body tissues
• C. $NaCl$ is an important component of energy supply
• D. $NaCl$ furnishes mot of the fuel required for cellular activity

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

$Na^{+}$ ions help in the retention of water in the body tissues

Answer 2

Severe diarrhoea, vomitting, watery stools are the chief symptoms of cholera. All these lead to dehydration. Actually, cholera toxin secreted by Vibrio cholerae causes, through a series of metabolic reactions, the continuous activation of adenylate cyclase of intestinal epithelial cells. The resultant high concentration of c-AMP triggers continuous secretion of $Cl ^{-}, HCO _{3}^{-}$and water into the lumen of the intestine. Administration of saline not only supports the sodium-potassium pump through which water in cell is restored, but glucose is also symported along with sodium.