IV therapy is a treatment that delivers fluids and medications directly into the bloodstream. It impacts and improves several body systems.
Hydration is a main benefit of IV treatments. Often, the saline solution included in an IV package refreshes and hydrates in minutes. Some IV packages also include a blend of vitamins and amino acids to address various health concerns.
Vitamin and Nutrient Infusions
Vitamin IV therapy has become a popular way to boost hydration, improve energy levels and boost immunity. The treatment can also be used to treat conditions such as fibromyalgia, migraines and chronic pain syndrome. These treatments are often offered at IV lounges and drip bars that offer a variety of options for different purposes. Celebrities including Adele, Gwyneth Paltrow and Chrissy Teigen have been known to use the IV treatment as a part of their wellness routines.
IV nutrient infusions are water soluble and pass quickly through your bloodstream. You can get a general IV infusion to help relieve stress, detoxify, rehydrate and improve circulation or you can have a cocktail of vitamins and minerals that are used to treat specific conditions.
For example, a combination called Myers’ Cocktail (named after the doctor who first developed it) can be used to treat colds and flu. It contains B vitamins, magnesium and calcium as well as the antioxidant glutathione. The infusion can also be used to combat chronic fatigue, help fight infections and reduce the symptoms of cancer.
You can get a more personalized IV cocktail to treat specific conditions by consulting with your healthcare provider. The ingredients can be tailored to your specific needs and may include amino acids like arginine and ornithine which aid in controlling how your body’s blood vessels constrict and relax. Some of the other ingredients in these types of cocktails can reduce neuropathic pain, prevent migraines and help with insomnia and depression.
While these infusions are generally safe, there is a risk that the needle could puncture your vein and cause infection. You may also experience some discomfort and swelling around the injection site. It is important to consult with a medical professional before receiving an IV infusion if you have a condition that increases your risk of complications such as hemophilia, diabetes or high blood pressure.
You should also avoid IV therapy if you have a blood-clotting disorder such as von Willebrand disease or are taking anticoagulants. IV drips can also be dangerous if you have severe liver or kidney disease.
Electrolyte Infusions
Getting a fluid IV treatment infusion is a quick way to replenish your body’s supply of water, vitamins and electrolytes. The infusions work to restore a healthy balance of body fluids, which can be depleted by chronic illness, intense exercise or even a hangover.
A healthcare professional will sanitize the area before inserting the IV, usually in a vein in the forearm, wrist or back of the hand. If they are having trouble finding a vein, they can use ultrasound to help. They may use a catheter or a needleless connector to attach tubing to the cannula, which is then run through the vein until it reaches the bloodstream.
The two main categories of IV fluids are colloids and crystalloids. Colloid solutions have large molecules that cannot pass through semi-permeable cellular membranes, but they do expand intravascular volume by drawing fluid into the interstitial space via high osmotic pressure. Examples of these fluids include albumin, dextrans and hydroxyethyl starches (Crawford & Harris, 2011). Crystalloids, on the other hand, have small molecules that easily pass through cellular membranes. These fluids are typically sterile saline or sodium chloride, which can be augmented with different nutrients and medications.
IV fluids maintain the balance of fluid levels inside and outside cells. They can be hypotonic, hypertonic or isotonic. An isotonic solution has a concentration close to that of the body’s blood plasma, which helps prevent the accumulation of excess fluid that can lead to edemas and dilution of electrolyte levels.
Some IV fluids can be used to boost energy, while others can promote weight loss and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Some IV fluid packages contain antioxidants, which help flush toxins from the body that can contribute to premature aging. Others contain amino acids, which can help speed up muscle recovery after a workout. If you are an athlete or travel often, scheduling a session with an IV bar or concierge service like Mobile IV Medics before a big race can give you the extra edge you need to perform at your best.
Medication Infusions
Patients with severe, chronic illnesses, including cancers and serious infections that require antibiotics, may require infusions of medication. These drugs are administered through a sterile needle or catheter inserted into a vein (intravenous) or directly under the skin (subcutaneous).
When administered intravenously, medication is released into the bloodstream without having to pass through the stomach, where it can be degraded by acid. This helps ensure the drug is being effectively absorbed by the body.
Medications that can be given by infusion include antibiotics such as ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin and tetracycline; antifungal medications such as micafungin or caspofungin for invasive candidiasis; and chemotherapeutic agents, such as bleomycin and vinblastine, to treat some cancers. Medications to manage pain, such as lidocaine or tetracaine, are also available for injection or infusion.
Another advantage of medication infusions is that they can be delivered on a schedule. This is particularly important for conditions like chronic pain, when taking medication on a consistent basis is critical.
A person who receives a prescription infusion will often have an indwelling port temporarily implanted, which allows the medication to be administered over an extended period of time. This is usually not an option for people with a history of clots in their veins or those who have had surgery or other medical procedures that leave their veins susceptible to damage. For these patients, a healthcare professional can insert a new IV each treatment session to minimize the risk of complications.
Some infusion treatments require patients to sit for up to two hours. During this time, healthcare professionals regularly check the infusion site to make sure the cannula is properly positioned and that the patient is comfortable. They can apply pressure over the insertion site to help slow any bleeding.
At ID Care, our goal is to help make the infusion process as pleasant as possible. That is why we provide comfortable reclining chairs, flat-screen TVs and free WIFI during infusions, bathrooms that are accessible throughout the process, and a highly trained, friendly nursing staff. In addition to this, we adhere to strict infection control protocols and follow the appropriate cleaning procedures for each treatment.
Specialty Infusions
Infusions are not only useful for treating medical conditions, but also to enhance wellness and preventative care. IV infusions can be used to deliver a variety of vitamins and minerals directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system and allowing the body to absorb these vital nutrients much more quickly. These infusions can be administered at home or in a hospital-style infusion suite by nurses trained in the administration of specialty medications.
The first step in the IV therapy process is to find a suitable vein for the injection, which healthcare professionals will usually do by sanitizing an area on the arm, wrist or back of hand, using ultrasound or even by pricking the skin with a sterile needle attached to a tubing line called a cannula. After finding a suitable vein, they’ll insert a small tube into the vein called a catheter and attach it to a small plastic bag.
Once the cannula is in place, it’s connected to a pump and tubing which will be attached to the medication or fluids. The cannula will stay in the vein for several days to administer treatment continuously without requiring repeated needle sticks.
Patients with respiratory disorders like severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or pulmonary arterial hypertension may benefit from specialty injectables that help manage symptoms and slow down disease progression. Other medical conditions that may be treated with these infusions include neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease, and rare genetic diseases like Gaucher disease or Fabry disease.
A popular use of IV therapy is the Vitamin Cocktail drip, which contains a mix of vitamins and minerals, often with a saline base to help prevent complications such as allergic reactions. Common ingredients found in a Vitamin Cocktail drip include Vitamin C, B vitamins, magnesium and calcium. These drips are commonly offered in a doctor’s office or by mobile infusion providers, and some people book regular appointments to keep up their nutrient intake.
These types of infusions are typically provided by a nurse, and the best ones have advanced training in the management of adverse events such as allergic or anaphylactic reactions. Specialty infusion nurses have standard RN licensure plus additional qualifications, including the Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI) program that includes extensive infusion-related training.