Some people need to have boundless energy that can sustain their daily activities. However, even though some of them take all the vitamins they can fill their mouths with, they still feel tired and exhausted at the end of the day.
Are you feeling a little dehydrated? You may be tempted to reach for a sports drink or juice, but did you know that you can also receive rehydration through an IV? In this post, we’ll explore the benefits of IV rehydration and how it can help you feel your best again. Keep reading to learn more.
IV Rehydration Explained
The purpose of IV fluids is to restore the electrolytes and fluid volume lost through dehydration. The fluid administered is often transparent and has minerals added to it for better absorption. This liquid contains low sodium, potassium, and chloride (electrolytes).
A standard saline solution contains about 0.9% sodium chloride and 5% dextrose (a sugar) in water in equal amounts by weight. It also contains some additives such as lactate and citrate buffer solutions that keep the pH at 7.4-7.45 so that it doesn’t affect the blood chemistry too much when it enters your body through an IV line (intravenous access).
Doctors typically recommend IV rehydration for those who cannot drink fluids by mouth or are at risk for severe dehydration. This can include people who have:
- a fever
- vomiting or diarrhea
- excessive sweating
- burns
- certain types of heart conditions
Rehydrating with an IV has several advantages over drinking fluids by mouth. It allows the body to absorb fluids and electrolytes more quickly. When you are dehydrated, your body’s cells cannot function correctly, which can lead to serious health problems.
Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in and cannot replace them adequately. This can happen due to illness (vomiting or diarrhea), excessive sweating, or not drinking enough fluids. The symptoms of dehydration include:
- thirst
- dry mouth
- tiredness
- decreased urine output
- dark-colored urine
- dizziness
- headache
If dehydration is left untreated, it can lead to more severe problems such as heat stroke, kidney failure, or seizures.
IV Rehydration fluids can help rehydrate the body quickly and effectively and are often recommended for those dehydrated or at risk for severe dehydration.
Types of IV Vitamins
Here is a list of different types of IV Vitamins:
Vitamin B12
It is one of essential vitamins to treat anemia caused by low levels of red blood cells in the body. The symptoms include fatigue, weakness, appetite loss, and tiredness.
This vitamin can also help treat nerve damage caused by diabetes or other medical conditions such as anemia or pernicious anemia. It is given as an injection that helps supply oxygen to all body parts, including the brain and spinal cord.
Folic Acid
This type of vitamin is used to treat anemia caused due to low levels of folic acid in the body. It helps in preventing congenital disabilities like neural tube defects (NTDs). Folic acid can also reduce risk factors for heart disease, like high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and high homocysteine levels in the bloodstream.
Vitamin C
This type of vitamin helps boost the immune system and can help treat colds, flu, and other infections. It is also an antioxidant that helps in protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Vitamin D
This vitamin is essential for bone health and can help treat conditions like osteoporosis and rickets. It is also essential for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the body.
Vitamin K
This type of vitamin is essential for blood clotting and can help treat conditions like osteoporosis and bleeding disorders.
B-Complex Vitamins
These vitamins are a group of water-soluble vitamins essential for the body’s metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. They are also crucial for the health of the nerves, skin, and red blood cells.
How IV Rehydration Works
The first thing you need to do in a standard IV rehydration process is to cleanse your skin with an antiseptic solution. This helps to prevent infection. A sterile dressing is then placed over the area where the needle will be inserted. A small needle is inserted into a vein, usually in the arm, and taped. The tape secures the needle and keeps it from moving around.
Once the needle is in place, a tube is attached, and the rehydration fluids are slowly dripped into the vein. The fluids help replenish the body’s fluids and electrolytes and provide nutrients such as vitamins and minerals.
The IV rehydration process usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour, and you will likely feel better soon after it is completed. Drinking plenty of fluids during the next few hours after the IV rehydration is essential, as this will help prevent dehydration from occurring again.
Benefits of IV Vitamins
One of the significant benefits mentioned earlier is the faster absorption of vitamins and minerals compared to oral supplements. Taking vitamins orally has to go through the digestive system, where they can be broken down or absorbed poorly.
However, when vitamins are injected directly into the bloodstream, they bypass the digestive system. They are immediately available for use by the body.
Another benefit of IV vitamins is that they can help to treat deficiencies that are difficult to correct with oral supplements. For example, if you have a malabsorption disorder that prevents you from absorbing nutrients properly, IV vitamins can help to correct the deficiency.
IV vitamins can also treat deficiencies caused by other medical conditions, such as cancer or chronic kidney disease.
Finally, IV vitamins can also be used to treat people who cannot take oral supplements due to nausea or vomiting.
Risks of IV Vitamins
Although IV vitamins are generally safe, there are a few potential risks that you should be aware of.
One of the most common side effects is pain or discomfort at the injection site. This is usually mild and goes away quickly. There is also a risk of infection at the injection site, although this is rare. The risk can be reduced by using sterile techniques and keeping the area clean.
Another potential complication is inflammation of the veins (phlebitis), which can occur if the needle is not inserted correctly. This can usually be treated with a warm compress and anti-inflammatory medication.
There is also a minimal risk of more severe complications such as pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs) or air bubbles in the blood (embolism). These complications are rare and usually only occur if the IV rehydration is not done correctly.
Overall, IV vitamins are safe for most people. However, if you have any concerns or medical conditions, it is always best to speak to your doctor before starting any new supplement or treatment.
Conclusion
IV rehydration is considered a fast-track process in taking your daily dose of vitamins and minerals, as it directly enters the bloodstream for immediate use by the body. This is especially useful for those who have difficulty taking oral supplements due to nausea or vomiting or those with malabsorption disorders. Although there are a few potential risks, IV vitamins are generally safe for most people.
Now that you know how excellent IV rehydration can be, the next step is looking for a registered clinic to help you with your needs. On that note, High Country Infusion & Wellness Center can provide all your IV needs without worrying about safety and security. With their team of trained experts, you can have peace of mind while getting re-energized.
