IV Therapy – History, Benefits And Conditions
IV therapy is one of the oldest and fastest ways to administer medicine to patients. In the early 1600s, we used IV therapy to administer treatment, but the practice was abandoned due to poor hygiene. In Britain, two centuries later, in the late 1800s, intravenous technology was used to treat patients in a cholera epidemic. Saline solutions, which are the standard use of IV, were later used and published. In the middle of the 20th century, intravenous therapy was developed further and became available widely.
Today, many people seek IV therapy for different reasons, such as boosting the immune system, reducing aging, stimulating energy levels, and reducing anxiety, depression, and stress levels. Many urban professionals, athletes, and celebrities are seeking IV therapy solutions to boost their wellness. During the pandemic, many people sought IV therapy services outside hospitals because of the quicker absorption than oral drugs in treating and preventing COVID-19. There are different types of IV therapy, IV push, and IV drip. The main differences are the levels of injected fluids and the period of treatment.
The most common IV solutions administered are;
Intravenous sugar solutions
Because dextrose, a form of glucose, contains less nutrition due to high calories. It is administered to help in recovery after surgery, resuscitation, renal and cardiac conditions.
Saline solutions
It can either be in solutions of 0.9% or 0.45%. 0.9% solution is administered to patients who suffer from sepsis, dehydration, hemorrhage, hypovolemia, and flush out an IV catheter. In comparison, 0.45% is administered to patients who have depleted fluid volumes from liver diseases, burns or trauma.
Lactated ringers
They are used in patients who cannot lactate with a PH of less than 7.5 and lactic acidosis. Moreover, this solution is given to patients with acute blood loss. However, special care is taken in patients with renal failure.
Intravenous treatment is prohibited for patients with heart diseases as vitamin or mineral treatment can strain the heart. Also, patients with dialysis and congestive heart failure are advised not to have IV treatment. The benefits of IV therapy treatments compared to oral treatments are:
Curing hangover
Too much alcohol depletes nutrients and dehydrates the body. The brain tissues shrink, causing muscle aches and headaches. The body generates toxins through the liver, causing discomfort. An IV treatment helps in relieving pain through anti-inflammatory ingredients in saline solutions. Proper hydration will prevent kidney and urinary problems.
Heighten beauty
IV therapy helps to cleanse the body from free radicals that cause aging and tissue damage. IV vitamins with B- complex help strengthen nails and hair. Glutathione helps in fighting physiological symptoms of oxidative stress and aging. Vitamin C helps boost collagen production in the body, making your skin radiant, healthy, and youthful.
Recovery in athletes
Fatigue causes the body to produce excess radicals that deplete nutrients and dehydration. Both amateur and professional athletes are given IV treatments with amino acids to improve metabolism and decrease muscle loss.
Prevention of illnesses
IV therapy treatment rich in vitamin C and zinc helps in fighting illnesses and stress. Vitamin B12 treatments improve the nervous system, promote healthy blood, and improve cellular repair.
Increased mental and physical wellness
Daily tasks can prevent the body from functioning properly. Some of the IV treatments to help the body’s wellness are; vitamin B and L-Carnitine to boost energy levels and vitamin A to support skin, heart, muscle, brain, and immune health.
IV treatment provides a solution for everything since the minerals and vitamins are absorbed quickly and are tailored to the patients’ needs. The treatment solutions last for days to weeks, depending on the patient’s body, health, weight, and age. Additionally, many people commercialize IV therapy as it bridges the gap between costly hospital visits and overall health. One must check the certifications of IV therapy nurses and practitioners.
