What Is IV Therapy? A Complete Guide

There are many ways that you can take care of your body. However, when it comes to getting essential vitamins and nutrients, the fastest way to do so is by applying them directly to your veins.

To safely administer vitamins and nutrients to the body in this manner, professionals use a procedure known as IV therapy. IV therapy helps people lose weight, build muscle, and accomplish other health goals.

If you’re interested in learning more about this procedure and how it works, this IV therapy guide is for you. Let’s take a look at how IV therapy works, what it is, and so much more.

What Is IV Therapy?

IV therapy is actually a fairly straightforward procedure. It is an intravenous method of delivering fluids, vitamins, and medications to the body.

The fluid that is administered to the veins typically consists of medication or minerals. It can either be delivered as an injection or as an IV drip. Both methods allow the materials to quickly move through the body.

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How Does IV Therapy Work?

So, we know that IV therapy works by intravenously administering vitamins and minerals. However, how does the procedure actually work?

During a standard IV therapy session, your nurse will disinfect the injection site. From there, he or she will place a needle directly into your vein. The IV is most often administered into the arm, but it can occasionally be placed in different parts of the body.

After inserting your IV, the nurse will ensure that your IV’s rate of delivery is correct. An electric or manual pump monitors how quickly or slowly the fluid drips from the catheter into your body.

Since IV therapy is administered directly into the bloodstream, it allows your body to absorb the minerals or medication faster. This means that your body gets the benefits of the solution far quicker than it would if you ingested it orally.

What Are Typical IV Therapy Solutions?

Speaking of IV therapy solutions, what are they exactly? We know that they’re made up of vitamins and minerals, but what is typically included in these solutions Here are a few common solutions you’ll find in an IV therapy bag.

Saline

Saline solution is the most common ingredient found in IV bags. Saline is made up of sodium chloride and water and is used to hydrate the body and to deliver other nutrients required by your IV therapy program to your body.

Dextrose

Dextrose is a type of sugar that is good for the body and is often administered as part of IV nutritional therapy programs. This type of sugar helps normalize low blood sugar and assists the body in converting sugars into energy.

Lactated Ringers

Lactated ringers are a type of IV solution containing sodium lactate, water, calcium chloride, potassium chloride, and sodium chloride. This solution, like a saline solution, is used to deliver other ingredients and to hydrate the body.

Vitamin B

In naturopathic medicine, vitamin B complex is often delivered as part of an IV therapy program to assist in weight loss. These vitamins help the body to speed up metabolism and improve nerve function.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is another vitamin commonly used in IV therapy. It helps support immune function and aids in preventing sickness, colds, and the flu.

Magnesium

As much as 20% of the US population is estimated to be magnesium deficient. To help prevent yourself from becoming a part of this portion of the population, you can get magnesium in IV therapy. This vitamin helps reduce inflammation, prevent migraines and cramps, and support a healthy metabolism.

Calcium

Some IV therapy programs include calcium. This mineral helps build strong teeth and bones and helps prevent osteoporosis and other effects of aging.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are famous for being a superfood that can help protect our body’s cells and prevent diseases. Common antioxidants used in IV therapy include vitamins E, C, and A as well as glutathione.

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What Is IV Therapy Commonly Used for?

IV therapy is used for numerous ailments and health goals. Let’s take a look at a few of the most common reasons why people use IV therapy.

Hangover Relief

After spending a night overindulging in alcohol, it’s not uncommon to wake up with a roaring hangover. And, if you’re looking for a hangover cure that offers relief from these uncomfortable symptoms, IV therapy is a great choice.

IV therapy offers rehydrating fluids and vitamins that help you feel your best even after spending the night drowning in drinks. Plus, hangover IV therapy also includes pain medication that helps calm your digestive system and get rid of your headache.

Athletic Performance

Whether you’re an athlete or you simply enjoy pushing yourself during your workouts, IV therapy can help you combat uncomfortable feelings of being sore and drained from your workout. Recovery IV therapy for athletics helps you recover after overexerting your body.

In these types of IV sessions, you’ll refill your body with hydrating fluids. At the same time, your nurse will include amino acids, vitamins, and antioxidants in your IV bag to help boost your energy and repair tissue and muscle damage.

Immune System Support

It’s always good to have a healthy immune system. One way to help prevent yourself from getting sick during cold and flu season is to get IV therapy.

IV therapy for immune support is designed to naturally boost and bolster your immune system. It includes minerals and vitamins that make you less likely to get sick.

Cold and Flu Prevention and Relief

If you’ve already caught the flu, getting well again can be a challenge. However, IV therapy can make your recovery timeline far shorter and can help your body fight off the bug.

IV therapy helps you stay hydrated by putting water back into your body. On top of that, it contains minerals and vitamins that help kick-start your immune system and help your body fend off viruses and other bugs.

Alleviation from Pregnancy Symptoms

During pregnancy, it’s not uncommon to struggle with morning sickness and other unwanted symptoms, such as swollen ankles and headaches. While these symptoms typically go away after you’ve been pregnant for a while, they can make the process uncomfortable.

IV therapy can help women who struggle with morning sickness find relief from their symptoms. It helps rehydrate women and provides vitamins and medicine that reduce nausea and keep young moms feeling their best.

Migraine and Headache Relief

People who suffer from migraines and frequent headaches often turn to IV therapy to help them do away with their symptoms. IV therapy provides the body with medication and vitamins that reduce inflammation and help you manage pain.

On top of that, for those who experience nausea with their migraines, IV therapy can help ease an upset tummy. Nurses can add anti-nausea medications and vitamins to your IV bag to help you feel better if you suffer from extreme migraines.

IV Therapy Benefits

There are many different potential benefits of IV therapy. A few of the most common benefits that people may enjoy after an IV therapy session include:

• Better athletic performance
• Improved immune health
• Better energy levels
• Reduced depression and anxiety symptoms
• Better cognitive function and mental clarity
• Fewer migraines
• Improved allergies and asthma symptoms
• Less fatigue
• Faster wound healing
• Support for addiction recovery
• Fewer free radicals
• Slower aging
• Stronger eyes, nails, skin, and air
• Brighter skin
• Fewer skin blemishes
• Reduced wrinkles and fine lines
• Boosted metabolism
• Weight loss

These are just a few of the many reasons why people choose to undergo IV therapy. Because of that, it’s no wonder that this has become a popular treatment!

How Long Does an IV Therapy Session Last?

When you go in for IV therapy, you can expect the procedure to take between 45 minutes to an hour. However, the exact duration of your procedure will fluctuate depending on the reason for your IV therapy. Some treatments take longer than others due to the nature of the treatment.

Because IV therapy is fast-acting, you’ll generally feel the effects of your treatment immediately. Typically, effects last up to a few days following your procedure.

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Transform Your Health With IV Therapy

Now that you’ve read all the IV therapy advice Get in touch with us at The Center for Health & Wellbeing and we’ll help you schedule an appointment.