Over the years IV therapy has become more popular and is an excellent way for people to keep their health up. Traditionally, IV therapy has been used in hospitals to help patients stay hydrated and restore nutrients lost due to a condition or the treatment they were receiving. Now it is much more accessible to the general public and there are numerous benefits to getting this treatment.
What Exactly is IV Therapy?
IV therapy is an efficient method for delivering fluids, nutrients, and/or medications to the body. IV stands for intravenous and involves having a needle injected directly into a vein to deliver the fluids. IV vitamin therapy is a complementary medicine approach to healing and boosting the immune system.
It is specifically designed to be incorporated into a person’s health regimen by providing a cocktail of vitamins and minerals that the body needs to function at its best. IV therapy can also help treat a number of medical conditions and is always administered by a healthcare professional. Having fluids injected through an IV means that they hit the bloodstream immediately and take effect much more quickly than medication that is taken orally.
Receiving IV therapy is fairly simple and your healthcare provider can answer any questions you may have about the procedure. Generally, you will be seated in a chair and the site of the injection will be cleaned with alcohol or a disinfectant solution. The IV will then be inserted into the vein and should be given somewhere in the arm, usually with you being allowed to choose which arm it is administered to.
Some of the most common types of fluids, nutrients, or medications given through IV therapy are saline, magnesium, vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, antioxidants, antibiotics, dextrose, and zinc. The vitamin solution should only take about 20-30 minutes to fully enter the body and begin to take effect and can be done once or twice a week, depending on the reason the patient is having the IV therapy.
Conditions IV Therapy Can Help With
Everyone wants to be healthy and it can be difficult to keep up with a health regimen that keeps people feeling their best at all times. Having a medical condition can be especially complicated to deal with and having that extra boost can make a difference. IV therapy can help treat several conditions and provide the following:
- Asthma Attack Relief: IV therapy can provide vitamin B12, which aids in helping the body absorb iron better. This allows oxygen to be delivered to the body in a more efficient way, which is good for the lungs during asthma attacks.
- Migraine Relief: If you suffer from migraines then IV therapy may help with symptoms and reduce the frequency they occur. The extra hydration can help with nausea and any sensitivity to light or sound. Magnesium also contributes to easing migraines and how often they appear.
- Chronic Fatigue Relief: Since IV therapy boosts energy levels in the body, this can alleviate some of the worst of the fatigue you may be experiencing.
- Fibromyalgia Relief: Vitamins and minerals in IV therapy support muscle health by allowing better delivery of oxygen in the body and stabilizing nerves to mitigate pain.
- Drug and Alcohol Dependence NAD+ IV Therapy: NAD+ IV therapy has been used since the 1960’s as a medical treatment that supports the body’s functioning and significantly reduces withdrawal symptoms from numerous types of drugs and alcohol.
IV Therapy Benefits
With IV therapy containing a mixture of several vitamins and minerals that support immune functioning, there are so many benefits for a person’s health. These are just some of those benefits.
Boosting Energy Levels: IV therapy is known for helping to boost energy levels, especially for those who struggle to find the energy to complete daily tasks and accomplish everything they need to in the day. The extra fluids that the body gets from the drip IV provide more hydration for the cells to absorb and allow them to function more efficiently. This gives the patient more energy on its own, but there is the addition of vitamins and nutrients, which can include vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin D, amino acids, and magnesium. These extra nutrients also rev up energy levels and the type of vitamins a patient receives can be customized to fit their specific needs. If a person is suffering from chronic fatigue, depression, and/or anxiety, or simply has a common cold then IV therapy can make a difference in how energized they feel. It can also reduce the need for dependency on caffeinated drinks such as coffee, red bulls, and other sodas that are full of unnecessary sugar and leave you with that afternoon crash.
Nourish and Replenish Skin: People feel their best when they look their best and this includes having clear and healthy-looking skin. IV therapy provides vitamins and antioxidants that fight against free radicals and promotes healthier skin that appears younger. Vitamin B, specifically Biotin, plays a huge part in strengthening and encouraging faster growth of hair and nails and also gives skin a more even texture with faster cell turnover. Vitamin C can be included in the mixture as well and is great for the production of collagen. Collagen is a protein found in the body’s connective tissues and is found a lot in the skin and aids in elasticity.
Reduce Inflammation in the Body: While inflammation is a natural part of the healing process, it is a response that can sometimes continue even after the body is done healing. Chronic inflammation can be harmful to the body and lead to a number of issues. Vitamin C, which is in certain kinds of IV therapy, has been shown in studies to have the ability to reduce inflammation by providing antioxidants that combat free radicals. Free radicals cause oxidative damage to the cells and tissue, which then triggers an inflammatory response. Issues that can be exacerbated by inflammation, like stomach problems, autoimmune disorders, heart disease, etc. can potentially improve by reducing inflammation.
Builds Up the Immune System: IV therapy is predominantly intended for supporting the immune system so the body can better fight off illness and bounce back easier. When the body is properly nourished and hydrated then it has a much better chance of staying healthy or managing a long-term condition, leaving the patient feeling less worn down by the condition and potentially seeing fewer symptoms. IV therapy can serve as a form of preventative medicine, which can mean fewer doctors visits and lower medical costs. Some chronic illnesses that can be improved with IV therapy are irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and cystic fibrosis, just to name a few.
Supports Athletic Performance: A really nice benefit of IV therapy that many may not think about is its ability to improve athletic performance and aid in recovery time. Endurance levels can also go up as a result of being hydrated and receiving the proper vitamins. Partaking in regular exercise and sports, either recreational or at a professional level, can be rough on the body, and overdoing it can easily lead to injury. Incorporating IV therapy in a regular health regimen can be a great way to maintain peak performance by supporting muscles and tissue.
Flushes Out Toxins: Toxins and pollutants are all in the environment and in the air we breathe on a daily basis, especially in cities with large populations. Free radicals found in the environment and the air can cause damage to the cells and lead to premature aging along with a slew of health problems, such as different types of cancers. IV therapy is full of antioxidants, which actively work against toxins and free radicals and can work to slow down the aging process. Vitamin C, glutathione, and alpha-lipoic acid are common vitamins found in IV drip therapy that produce antioxidants.
The list of benefits of IV therapy is ongoing, as they are continuing to be discovered, but most importantly it can improve a person’s quality of life in a noticeable way.
Don’t Forget to Check Us Out
If you are interested in integrative medicine, which combines conventional medicine and holistic therapies, and healthcare that focuses on your individual needs call Shakthi Health and Wellness Center today! Dr. Jyothi Rao is a highly skilled and experienced physician who can effectively evaluate your symptoms and optimize your body’s vitality. Call (301) 703 – 5067 and speak to our concierge staff to schedule your appointment today.