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 98.6oF 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.
