We’ve all been waiting for that moment.. the moment we can can step back into a cantina and feast on tacos and margaritas.  Much debate surrounds the reopening of America, so here’s what you need to know:

Phasing Process

President Trump and the CDC have issued guidance on how states are to reopen and the conditions under which they can do so.

First, states must show a slowing rate of reported Influenza and COVID symptoms and documented cases. In addition, states must have a strategic and robust plan to treat patients, healthcare workers, and provide antibody testing.

Robust plans include adequate and accessible screening mechanisms, tracing contacts within positive cases and surveillance of high-risk and/or minority populations (elderly, chronically ill, etc.).  Sufficient medical supplies must be available to healthcare workers, such as PPE, and the ability to expand ICU capacity should positive cases accelerate.

In addition, states must have adequate protocols with local businesses and education programs in place to ensure successful social distancing.  Use of safety masks in public remains at the state’s discretion, but is highly encouraged.

Phase 1

Continue social distancing, with high-risk populations and those who work with high-risk populations remaining at home or sheltering in place.  Avoid gatherings of 10 or more people.  Minimize non-essential travel wherever possible.  Businesses are to continue telework programs, and phase workers back into the workplace if appropriate.  Unfortunately, certain businesses shall remain closed, while others must adhere to stringent guidelines:

Closed:

• Bars

• Schools/Daycares

• Large Venues

Open with Restrictions:

• Gyms

• Elective Surgeries

Phase 2

Should states not experience any rebound in reported cases, they are eligible to move to Phase 2.  Gatherings can expand up to 50 people and people can resume non-essential travel, while both are still unadvised.  Businesses should continue to offer telework opportunities and restrict any common areas where gatherings may take place.  High-risk populations and those who work with them should continue to stay at home or shelter in place.

Schools and bars can begin to reopen, but restrictions on the size and duration of gatherings should be controlled.

Phase 3

Finally, if states are able to make it through Phase 2 without any rebound in cases, they can move to Phase 3.  While social distancing protocols and heightened sanitation procedures remain in force, all businesses are eligible to reopen and staff can return to work.  High-risk populations may reenter the public settings, but are encouraged to limit their exposure and minimize the time spent in public gatherings.  Gatherings may expand to 100 people and large venues, such as concert halls, churches and other facilities may reopen with physical distancing protocols in place.

If at any time an expansion of reported cases occurs, states must pull back to an earlier phase.

Reopening Tennessee

Each city has different underlying conditions, and thus different plans for reopening.  At this time, Nashville will follow the CDC’s guidelines in four phases, each lasting a minimum of 14 days.

Phase 1

Retail and other commercial businesses may reopen at half capacity, with safety measures in place, such as screening workers, strict hygiene requirements and use of face masks.

Bars and restaurants serving food may reopen at half capacity, with safety measures in place, such as screening workers, strict hygiene requirements and use of face masks.  Bar areas are to remain closed and live music/entertainment prohibited.  Food and condiment stations are to be inaccessible to patrons.

Phase 2

Retail, restaurants and other commercial businesses may open up to ¾ capacity, with safety measures in place, such as screening workers, strict hygiene requirements and use of face masks.

Elective surgeries and outpatient settings may recommence with adequate screening and sanitation procedures.

Gatherings may expand to 50 people, with public parks reopening.

Phase 3

Retail, restaurants and other commercial businesses may open up to full capacity, with safety measures in place, such as screening workers, strict hygiene requirements and use of face masks.  Bars are to stay at ½ capacity, with no standing at the bar.  Live music can resume, but public food stations will remain prohibited.  Take-out alcohol sales will remain to limit gatherings in these places.

Gyms and fitness centers may reopen with strict hygiene and sanitation policies in place.

Gatherings may increase to 100 people with physical distancing still in force.

Phase 4

All businesses may reopen, including large venues of greater than 100 people.  Physical distancing will remain in force and screening procedures and safety measures from previous phases intact for all employees.

In medicine, safety is everything.  This statement rings exceptionally true when it comes to any kind of invasive procedure.  Infusion Therapy, done improperly or carelessly, can be dangerous for any recipient.  So, this begs the question: Is my IV therapist doing it right?

Safety Precautions

Infusion Therapy can be, in many ways, similar to surgery.  Safety protocols and regulations stipulate strict guidelines on the appropriate use of all medical equipment and how the procedure is to be conducted.  Nurses wash their hands, wear sterile gloves, disinfect all working areas and carefully handle all equipment before and during use.  Only the finest quality of equipment is used from reputable manufacturers and clinical staff is trained vehemently on how to conduct the procedure.  All protocols and procedures should ultimately be directed by a licensed physician.  After all, an IV requires you to penetrate the skin to infuse vitamins and minerals directly into your bloodstream.  Room for error can be great, but with a proper plan, executed perfectly, the risk can be nearly non-existent.

Proper Screening

In addition to the handling of equipment and the procedure, itself, the vitamins and minerals you infuse can be equally dangerous.  If the right preventive steps are not taken, you increase the likelihood of an adverse outcome.  Patients should receive a full set of vitals.  Allergies and current medications should be reviewed.  A review of past medical and surgical history should be taken.  All of these things should ultimately be reviewed by a licensed physician.  If, at any point, a contraindication or concern is recognized during the screening process, steps are taken to either alter the procedure or discontinue completely.  Every step done to ensure whatever is put into your body is safe and appropriate.

Drip Nashville takes patient safety extraordinarily careful.  Our team is not only the most experienced and well-trained clinicians, but we adhere to safety regulations and guidelines ruthlessly.  Your vitals will always be taken, a health history will always be procured, and any concerns discussed beforehand.  All equipment is handled with extreme care.  Our vitamins and medications are ordered from a reputable pharmacy, and our process is meticulous.  While some IV companies may throw caution to the wind, we don’t believe in shortcuts.  We ensure every medication and vitamin, every instrument, and every step we take is safe during every one of our sessions.

Leveraging Technology

We are so attentive to safety that every one of our new patients will receive a physical exam by a real physician right there on site.  Despite being mobile, we are still able to carry out these evaluations by leveraging technology to ensure your IV session goes flawlessly.  Our team utilizes TeleMedicine, a virtual meeting between physician and patient, to complete an evaluation with the assistance of our nurse. Not only is this technology awesome, but it is required by law.  Our team has visited other IV providers and this step is often omitted.  Your safety is our top priority and we guarantee you every precaution and every rule is properly obeyed.  We omit nothing, so you can receive everything.

Oftentimes we underestimate the complexity of the human body.  We are, far and away, the most complex creatures on this earth.  So extraordinary is the human body that it takes the smartest, most brilliant people on this earth to understand how our bodies operate.  When it comes to delivering powerful change in the way our body operates or feels, you should only trust the best.  Drip Nashville is operated by the most qualified clinical team.  Founded and directed by a physician, our clients receive only the best.

Being radical isn’t necessarily a bad thing – maybe that’s supporting a cause with unmatched zeal, or it’s wearing your hotdog costume on Broadway in mid-May despite the humidity. Regardless, being radical has changed many lives over the course of history.  Scientists might argue it’s changed EVERYONE’s life at some point – let’s examine. 

Free Radicals

While we might feel radical inside, there are real things called Free Radicals that actually do exist in each one of us.  By definition, a Free Radical is an uncharged particle or molecule and they are highly reactive.  Free Radicals are kleptomaniacs and steal atomic elements from their neighboring molecules. Like a vicious game of tag, when a Free Radical tags, or steals, an electron from his neighbor, it becomes stable while destabilizing the other.  As this process continues, the overall cell is slowly damaged, interrupting cellular processes and causing more free radicals to accumulate.  Now, let’s not vilify Free Radicals completely.  Free Radicals are beneficial in adequate amounts, as they help fight off nasty pathogens that would otherwise do greater harm.

The overall destabilization process occurs over the course of our life and is a lead contributor to the natural effects of aging.  The gradual but increasing rate of free radical build up causes our bodies to slowly deteriorate and is known as Oxidation.  Though we cannot prevent the formation of Free Radicals from stopping, we can help neutralize their effect.  Our white knights in the war against Free Radicals are called Antioxidants. 

Antioxidants

Their name denotes their existence.  Antioxidants prevent or slow down oxidation.  As such, they track down and neutralize Free Radicals with incredible success. These molecules provide the Free Radicals with the particles they need to stabilize, without becoming destabilized themselves. 

Antioxidants are found in many of the foods we eat.  For example, fruits, vegetables, eggs, dark chocolate, and green tea are all common sources of Antioxidants.  Our bodies are able to make certain Antioxidants, as well.  We’ve all been told eating sufficient fruits and vegetables help prevent such things as heart disease, cancer and other serious diseases.  The Antioxidant properties of many fruits and vegetables are part of the reason.  Without sufficient Antioxidant intake, our bodies are at risk of Oxidative Stress.  Prime examples of Antioxidants are Vitamin C, found in many of the fruits and vegetables we eat, and Glutathione, a naturally self-made Antioxidant.

Vitamin C

Due to its natural makeup, Vitamin C is an electron donor, neutralizing those Free Radicals.  This property gives Vitamin C its powerful characteristics.  Studies show that Oxidative Stress contributes to vascular disease and some cancers, making Vitamin C a champion in helping prevent both.  Vitamin C reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, increases longevity, protects against high blood pressure and general disease.  Vitamin C cannot be synthesized by the body and must be consumed through the foods we eat, such as pineapple, strawberries, kiwi, tomatoes, bell peppers and broccoli.  

Glutathione

This impressive antioxidant is synthesized by the liver, but not in sufficient amounts.  Made up of up three Amino Acids, Glutathione is touted for having many health benefits.  In addition to being an Antioxidant, Glutathione supports a healthy memory, prevents the progression of cancer, reduces liver cell damage and supports cellular function.  Men can also use Glutathione to treat male infertility and enhance sperm cell generation.

Oxidative Stress

With every breath we take, Free Radicals form, making their existence completely natural.  But, certain habits help contribute to their formation. Activities such as smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, fried food intake or even excessive exercise all contribute to an overabundance of Free Radicals.  When there are more Free Radicals than Antioxidants, our body experiences something called Oxidative Stress.  At these times, Free Radicals begin to target our DNA, body tissue and other proteins, creating chain reactions that can lead to more serious issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and more. 

As a general rule: don’t partake in unhealthy habits.  As a general observation: we are all prone to unhealthy habits.  Many enjoyable activities carry negative side-effects, so it is our responsibility to balance the good and the bad.  To do so, make sure to eat well, exercise, and if that’s is too hard, Drip Nashville can help to balance the scales.  We combine Vitamin C and Glutathione in our Radiant Drip to help protect against the effects of aging.  In addition, Glutathione is present in our Immunity Drip due to its contribution to a healthy balance of Free Radicals to ward off disease. 

Take an active part in maintaining a healthy, balanced life.

Here’s a simple tip – if you don’t want a hangover, don’t drink.

But that’s no fun.

Here, we explain the science of a hangover – why they happen and what you can do to avoid and relieve them.

Afterall, we deserve a little fun, right?

First, let’s define what alcohol is so we can understand why it causes a nasty morning-after. Alcohol’s primary ingredient, the cause of reckless abandon, is ethyl alcohol (or ethanol). Ethanol is a product of yeast fermentation. More simply put, it is when yeast breaks down sugars in various products. Where the sugar is derived is what gives the alcohol its unique characteristic.

Grapes > Wine
Barley > Beer
Wheat/Corn/Rye > Whiskey/Gin
Potato > Vodka
Sugarcane > Rum

The Science

Ethanol

Ethanol acts on your brain in the same manner it acts on your behavior – slowing down its reaction time. During alcohol consumption, the ethanol enters the blood stream, elevating your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). As that alcoholic blood stream enters the brain, the ethanol is able to pass through the blood brain barrier and directly affect the neurons in your head. Once the ethanol begins to interact with your brain cells, the neurons become increasingly suppressed, dampening their ability to rapidly fire signals to one another. Results are obvious: slurred speech, slow reaction time, disoriented thinking, impaired vision, etc.

Along with its depressant nature, ethanol is also a diuretic. Fancy word for a substance that causes you to evacuate water – or urinate. Once you break the seal, the alcohol will frequently remind you of your need for a lavatory. Unfortunately, the main substance you are ridding is water, not alcohol. Frequent bathroom breaks during a night of drinking pushes your body closer and closer to dehydration.

As we’ve mentioned in previous posts, our bodies require sufficient fluid levels to regulate and promote adequate cellular and organ function. Without sufficient fluid and electrolyte levels, our cells and organs are unable to communicate with one another efficiently. Dehydration contributes to your headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, confusion and irritability. Proper hydration is essential to maintaining body function and avoiding the nasty side-effects.

Congeners

Another element many are unfamiliar with is congeners. These molecules are a byproduct of the fermentation mentioned earlier and can be just as nasty as the ethanol itself. Congener quantity has a direct relationship with the color, or darkness of the alcohol. Bourbons, red wines and other darker colored alcohols contain congeners in much higher abundance than their lighter colored kin. Congeners contribute to the color of the liquor, as well as the severity of your hangover. This toxic substance may be found in smaller quantities but plays sidekick to ethanol in this Batman-and-Robin beat down on your brain cells. As a preventive measure, choosing your alcohol can be a significant factor in influencing the severity of your hangover. Though, excessive consumption, regardless of the color, will inevitably lead to a wrenching hangover.

Alcohol’s first stop in its tour through your body is the stomach. Upon arrival, it begins interacting with the lining of the stomach wall, irritating and forcing the production of vile stomach acids. One of the most common side effects of excessive drinking is the nausea and vomiting the next morning. Blame this excessive acid production when the stomach and alcohol meet. Many are driven to eat food before hitting the sheets, effectively neutralizing some of the acid sloshing around your stomach. Unfortunately, this does not always prevent the next day’s nausea, stomach pain and vomiting. Worst of all, the best cure is a solid meal, but with an irritated stomach, it can be hard to hold food down.

Lastly, though you might pass out immediately as your head hits the pillow, you certainly won’t sleep well. If you’re unfamiliar with Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, let’s catch you up. Adequate sleep is essential to bodily recovery, as your body rotates between non-REM and REM sleep, repairing tissue, building bone and muscle and building the immune system. REM sleep only occurs every 1-2 hours in adults and lasts 10 minutes or so. Humans rotate into and out of REM sleep 3-5 times every night.

Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol robs our body of needed REM time. A result of this lack of quality sleep hours is lack of concentration, memory problems, drowsiness and fatigue. Whereas there are preventive measures one can take to reduce the severity of their hangover, there is little prevention for a lack of sleep.

Relief Starts Here

Drip’s proven hangover cure, The Drip, has been repeatedly tested and found to alleviate all the major side effects of excessive consumption. Our carefully blended remedy solves all the major ailments of a hangover: headache, nausea, and pain relief, boosted energy and concentration, and increased appetite. Nothing provides a better pick-me-up than The Drip. While most IV clinics will simply provide rehydration, our cocktail is physician recommended and mega-powerful.

Not drinking is a solution, but so is Drip Nashville. Go drink, get a drip, and feel recovered.

What is Infusion Therapy?

WITH so many IV clinics springing up everywhere, it begs the question. What is IV therapy and why do I need it?,

Infusion therapy, commonly referred to as IV therapy, is the intravenous (IV) infusion of various fluids directly into the blood stream. As opposed to oral medications and vitamins, IV infusion allows for larger doses to be given.  If consumed orally, equivalent doses would cause digestive and intestinal issues.  Intravenous infusion also strengthens the ability of the nutrients to do their job and allows them to act instantly, providing immediate benefits and relief. For example, ibuprofen (commonly known as Advil) takes 1-2 hours to reach peak effect, whereas the contents of an IV are effective immediately.

In addition to supplying vital nutrients and medications, IVs provide pure hydration. We require sufficient fluid levels to maintain critical cellular and organ function.  Electrolytes within our body allow the transmission of signals across our nervous system, necessary for muscle contraction and impulses. Electrolytes come in a variety of forms. Common electrolytes include calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium.  If a coach ever gave you a banana before a game, it’s because bananas are packed with potassium.  If out of balance or empty, our bodies will seize up, most familiar as cramping.  Muscle cramps, however, are not limited to our arms and legs.  Every organ in our body is a muscle.  If electrolyte levels are out of balance, consequences include irregular heart rhythms, seizures, nausea/vomiting, lethargy, fatigue, weakness, confusion and cardiac arrest.

Why the difference?

Most medications and vitamins, when ingested orally, take 30 minutes to dissolve and reach your blood stream. If taken intravenously, those compounds are direct-injected into the blood stream. Once there, they travel throughout your entire circulator system in less than 1 minute. Talk about efficient.

While vitamin shops have a plethora of supplements to support a healthy lifestyle, you may be losing many of their benefits by taking them by mouth. Many factors influence the way the body digests and absorbs nutrients, such as age, weight, gender, time taken and even level of stress. To add insult to injury, medications and vitamins often lose potency before they ever reach your blood stream. After taking, you might even experience a host of side-effects before ever experiencing their benefits.  Effects such as nausea, constipation/diarrhea, and heartburn are common in oral medications and supplements. On the other hand, IV fluids circumvent the body’s digestive system and reduce the likelihood these side-effects occur.

Benefits

When one hears “IV”, most people imagine a cold hospital setting and masked nurses, but reality is much different. Modern IV therapy is a very relaxing and enjoyable experience, and you don’t even have to be sick to reap its benefits. IV therapy can provide a host of benefits, such as:

• Nausea relief
• Pain relief
• Enhanced clarity and focus
• Increased memory
• Stronger immune system
• Increased energy
• Improved skin health
• Healthier hair and nails
• Reduced cramps
• Migraine relief
• And more

No one wants to feel the aches and pains of a workout, the morning-after nausea and fatigue of last night’s party, or the coughing and stuffiness after plane travel. Whether born of pleasure or pain, IV therapy is a potent solution to whatever is ailing you. We all  strive to be and feel our best. Each day is a gift, don’t squander it in recovery-mode. A quick IV session will get you back on your feet and ready to tackle the day.

Drip Wellness adds another layer of comfort and relief – mobile therapy. Whether you’re at the office, home, hotel room or venue, our team will meet you on your time, at your location. Regardless if you’re hungover, tired, recovering from illness or trying to avoid it, traveling to a clinic is never been the ideal place to start. Our well-being is heavily influenced by our environment. Choosing one that is right for you is the very first step in wellness.

The Process

Generally, IV therapy takes 20-45 minutes, depending on a variety of factors, such as the amount of fluids, size of the person and level of dehydration. But, with the help of special tools, this time can be as little as 5 minutes.

To begin, a trained and qualified professional (such as a Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner or Physician) begins by identifying and cleaning the selected area. With the help of a tourniquet (fancy for big rubber band), the provider makes the vein available to ensure a simple, painless entry. The IV catheter is inserted into the vein with the help of a small needle and is taped to the body. Don’t worry – the needle doesn’t stay in your arm.  All that is left is a flexible rubber sheath that bends and contorts with your movements.

Once in place, IV tubing will be attached to the catheter, connecting you to your personalized drip. The provider will simply open the tube’s regulator and let the drip flow. Because the bag is at room temperature, it is common for your arm to feel a slight chill – totally normal. The chilling effect of infusing room temperature fluids into a 98.6^oF body kickstarts your hypothalamus.  Your hypothalamus is responsible for regulating body temperature and hunger. During your IV, you may experience slight shivering, as a result, and an increased appetite. Both positive effects of the IV, as your body consumes fat stores to supply energy for muscle contraction, and increased appetite is healthy if being treated for nausea. Dripping and burning calories!

There are a multitude of benefits that IV therapy provides. If you’re traveling, training for a competition or trying to recover from a late night, IV therapy is a powerful solution to staying well. In the end, our actions, thoughts and mood are influenced by the way we feel. Take an active part in maintaining a well-balanced mind and body – crucial to sustaining a happy, healthy life.