IV (intravenous) Therapy has been used for decades in hospitals and emergency rooms. Almost anyone who’s gone to the ER or been admitted to the hospital has had an IV. What is in a particular IV infusion varies depending on why you need it. It’s no longer restricted to the hospital, however. It’s now offered in many independent clinics and as a house-call treatment around the country.
What’s all the buzz about?
What is IV Therapy?
IV Therapy is the use of an intravenous device to deliver liquid substances directly into a vein, allowing the substance to directly enter the blood stream while bypassing the stomach and digestive system altogether.
In hospitals, it’s used for medications and fluid replacements, as it’s the fastest way to distribute those throughout the body. It can be used to correct dehydration, balance electrolytes, transfuse blood, and deliver medications.
Outside of hospitals, it’s often used in clinics to create cocktails of vitamins, minerals or other nutrients used to combat hangovers, illnesses, allergies, and improve athletic performance, among other things.
For what conditions is IV Therapy used? Why IV Therapy?
IV Therapy can be used for a variety of conditions. Some conditions that have seen improvement from IV Therapy include:
- Asthma
- Migraines
- Fatigue
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Acute muscle spasms
- Upper respiratory tract infections
- Chronic sinusitis
- Seasonal allergies
- Cardiovasular disease
People also use it to help them recover from a hangover or milder illnesses such as merely feeling “under the weather.”
The reasons for trying IV Therapy vary, but a consistent reason for use is that it allows you to infuse a specific combination of vitamins, minerals or nutrients directly into your bloodstream. This allows for faster circulation throughout the body, resulting in a faster response to the substances and feeling better faster than you might if you took a pill and had to wait for it to begin to dissolve, make its way to your digestive system and begin being absorbed by your body.
Can it be preventive?
IV Therapy has many benefits. It can boost your immune system’s function, increase energy levels, and improve many medical conditions. It can also have preventive and anti-aging benefits.
You can be proactive and have an IV infusion of a variety of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to prevent illness and boost your nutritional status. Because IV Therapy is tailored specifically to you and your needs, it can help you prevent and treat many things.
Does it have other benefits?
There are multiple benefits to IV Therapy. They include:
- It allows higher doses of the targeted supplements to be given.
- Because they’re delivered directly to the bloodstream, there is 100% absorption of the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients by your body.
- It’s the fastest way to restore optimum hydration to the body.
- It stimulates and supports the immune system.
- It replenishes the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients your body needs to stay balanced and healthy.
- Delivery is fast, which means you can squeeze an IV Therapy into your day, even if you’re busy.
- The effects are felt quickly, rather than waiting to feel them as you would with other methods.
- It boosts energy levels, which can improve your wellbeing and the rest of your life.
- Easy to monitor delivery of substances.
Are there any drawbacks?
There can be drawbacks, or disadvantages, to having IV Therapy.
You may feel slight pain when the needle is inserted, but you can ask to have the site numbed first to avoid that.
An allergic reaction is always possible, as with anything you put into your body.
If it’s not done correctly, it can be an invasive procedure that causes infection, bleeding, and other adverse side effects. It is more costly than oral or injectible forms of the same substances.
There’s also the possibility of a hematoma, a lumped up bruise caused by a swelling of clotted blood within the tissues of the IV site, if the IV isn’t inserted correctly.
An air embolism, a bubble of air in your veins, can also occur if the IV isn’t handled properly. They are rare, but they can travel to your brain, lungs or heart and cause a heart attack, stroke or respiratory failure. This is why it’s critical that you only go to a clinic that uses properly trained staff to administer IV Therapy.
What is the recovery time?
There is little to no recovery time after IV Therapy. You’ll start to feel the benefits almost immediately, and by the time you’re done, you’ll likely feel much better than you did when you began. Once the IV is removed, you’ll be free to go about your day.
It has become increasingly difficult to get all the nutrients we need through our daily diets. IV Therapy is a great way to supplement and ensure that you get all the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients you need so that you can feel healthy, vibrant and ready to take on life. It can also help when you’re not feeling up to par, giving you that extra boost you need to get you back up to speed. It’s quick, easy, and painless, and has great benefits for your health.