Saline (medicine)
Saline (medicine)
Saline (/ˈseɪlaɪn/ or /ˈseɪliːn/), from the Latin salinus, meaning "salty", is a general term referring to a sterile solution of sodium chloride (NaCl, also known as table salt) in water, but is often used to refer to normal saline. It is used in medicine for a variety of purposes.
Uses
Saline solutions are used in medicine for a variety of purposes, including:
- Rehydration: Saline solutions are often used to treat dehydration.
- Wound cleaning: Saline is used to clean wounds to prevent infection.
- Intravenous therapy: Normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride) is commonly used as an intravenous drip for patients who need to be rehydrated.
- Nasal irrigation: Saline solutions are used for nasal irrigation to relieve nasal congestion.
Types of Saline Solutions
There are several types of saline solutions used in medicine, including:
- Normal saline: A solution of 0.9% sodium chloride in water. It is isotonic with blood plasma and is often used for intravenous rehydration.
- Hypertonic saline: A solution with a higher concentration of sodium chloride than normal saline. It is used to treat certain medical conditions, such as hyponatremia.
- Hypotonic saline: A solution with a lower concentration of sodium chloride than normal saline. It is used less frequently due to the risk of cell lysis.
Preparation
Saline solutions are prepared by dissolving sodium chloride in sterile water. The concentration of sodium chloride can be adjusted to create normal, hypertonic, or hypotonic saline.
Safety and Risks
While saline is generally safe for medical use, there can be risks associated with its use. These can include electrolyte imbalances, particularly in patients with kidney disease or heart failure, and infection if the solution is not sterile.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Saline (medicine)
- Wikipedia's article - Saline (medicine)
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