Preface.

This special issue of the "Journal of the Association of Physicians of India" focuses on an underappreciated aspect of patient care: dehydration in nondiarrheal illnesses, particularly in diabetic nondiabetic, adult, and elderly populations as well as highlight ways to enhance oral rehydration therapy utilization in India.¹ Dehydration in acute nondiarrheal diseases, often resulting from reduced intake or increased fluid losses, can lead to critical deficits in fluid, electrolytes, and energy (FEE).^2,3 Oral FEE supplementation, when used as an adjuvant to standard care, has shown clinical benefits in improving hydration and energy levels in earlier small studies, particularly in patients with fever, general weakness, and metabolic conditions such as diabetes.^2-6 The reported studies in this issue delve into the clinical consequences of dehydration, its underrecognition in certain populations, and the therapeutic role of oral FEE solutions like ORSL® in supporting patient recovery, especially in diabetic and elderly individuals.