IV fluids are injectable liquids that are inserted directly into a patient’s veins using an intravenous tube. They are used for a plethora of reasons, however, most people looking to get one usually get 100% absorption of nutrients and have instantaneous results. This is also the reason for its increasing popularity, especially, the provision of getting IV drip therapy at home.
What Are the Uses of IV Fluids?[1]
IV fluids can be used to cure electrolyte imbalances and dehydration. Both are incredibly important for the human body, 60% of which is made up of water. Many serious diseases, viral infections, medical procedures, and kinds of external stimulation can result in serious dehydration. Dextrose or Saline drips are recommended in all of these situations:
- Feeling extreme nausea or diarrhea
- Have serious burns or blood loss
- In post-op
- After excessive exercises
- Heat exposure and low water intake
IV infusion allows your body to receive a direct and purer dose of nutrients that bypasses the digestive system. This ensures that the vitamin count does not drop or get absorbed by the digestive tract, before reaching the bloodstream, which allows 100% absorption. Given the wide range of supplements and vitamins available today, IV therapy offers a variety of health benefits. Here are just a few of them:
- Treating nutrient or vitamin deficiencies
- Speeding up weight loss processes
- Easing anxiety and tensions
- Improving cardiovascular health
- Curing hangovers or minimizing symptoms
- Detoxing the body from toxins
Let’s discuss each in detail below.
1. Treating Vitamin Deficiencies
IV vitamin therapy is used to deliver nutrients to people who are too sick to consume solid food or water. In the same manner, it can also prove effective in treating vitamin deficiencies such as vitamins C, B, and E. Moreover, it can be useful in certain conditions[2] that can induce vitamin deficiencies, such as Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, Cystic fibrosis, Short bowel syndrome, or colon cancer.
People with the aforementioned conditions are often unable to receive the vitamins they require through their diet or oral supplements. Therefore, IV therapy is incredibly effective.
2. Speeding Up Weight Loss Processes
Everybody knows how hard losing weight can be. IV therapy may help speed up the process, however, it cannot be achieved without the employment of a proper diet plan and exercise routine.
There are three main supplements that are used to improve weight loss chances.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid[3]
This is a strong antioxidant that is part of the human cell composition. It is an organic compound that works alongside mitochondria to improve metabolism, remove toxins, undo age-related oxidant damage, and prevent inflammation. While our bodies do naturally generate this nutrient, it is only in tiny amounts. Since IV infusion helps improve metabolism, that could also help with weight loss.
Carnitine[4]
This is an amino acid that converts fat into fuel. It supplies fat to the mitochondria, which is the powerhouse of the cell so that they can be broken down by it and used as energy. It is considered a nutrient that is conditionally essential and can be acquired through dietary consumption. However, some people do not have access to such foods, or they don’t consume them for various reasons. Those include vegans, people with religious constraints, medical conditions restricting meat consumption, and people who cannot afford meat.
Lipotropic Injections[5]
These are fat-burning injectable compounds. They are considered boosters, which means that they are better injected through a syringe in one go rather than via IV drip. Ingredients of Lipotropic injections can vary based on their composition.
3. Easing Anxiety and Tension
IV therapy is known to make people feel more relaxed, and calm. Research reveals that Magnesium sulfate,[6] an electrolyte, can lower blood pressure along with providing the following benefits:
- Improves sleep and circadian rhythms
- Reduces tension and feelings of anxiety
- Improves immune function
- Reduces migraines and headaches
- Relaxes muscles
4. Improving Cardiovascular Health
IV therapy can help with the maintenance of one’s cardiovascular system as well. By using any of the following four nutrients in an IV bag, one can experience improved cardiovascular function and improvement in their general health:
- Tri-Amino
- Arginine
- Magnesium Sulfate
- Calcium
Tri-amino acids and arginine allow one’s blood vessels to relax, improving and reducing blood pressure. They can potentially resolve erectile dysfunction and its symptoms. Magnesium, too, helps regulate blood pressure. Similarly, on top of being incredibly important for the formation and maintenance of strong bones, Calcium also helps regulate the contraction and dilation of blood vessels.
5. Curing Hangovers or Minimizing Their Symptoms
Hangovers can leave one feeling thirsty, achy, annoyed, low on energy, and unable to perform tasks efficiently. Most of these problems originate from the dehydration that is caused by drinking. Although, hangovers themselves cannot be cured by IV therapy,[7] rehydration can certainly help minimize the damage. Hangovers cause the following symptoms that can be alleviated by a simple IV hydration session:
- Head and muscle aches
- Reduced productivity levels
- Brain fog and lethargy
- Nausea or stomach ache
- Cottonmouth
To cure dehydration, electrolytes such as sodium chloride are added to the IV solution. One can also benefit from adding anti-nausea and anti-inflammatory medicine to limit fatigue and nausea caused by alcohol. Relief may be felt up to as early as an hour after the treatment.
6. Detoxification from Free Radicals
Drip therapy can help cleanse the body and remove free radicals and toxins. If left unchecked, free radicals and toxins can cause DNA and cell damage and fasten aging. Antioxidants are used to remove these effectively. Following are a few popular ones:
Glutathione[8]
This antioxidant helps decrease free radicals and oxidative stress while offering a range of health benefits. It has been proven to help fight symptoms of fatty liver disease and Parkinson’s disease. It also helps eradicate infection and improve liver functions.
Vitamin C[9]
Vitamin C is an antioxidant essential for one’s well-being and immunity. It neutralizes free radicals before they are given the chance to damage cells, in order to protect the body.
Conditions for Which IV Therapy May Be Recommended [10]
IV therapy, particularly Vitamin therapy, has been considered a viable and effective treatment for many different diseases of varying intensities. Some of these medical issues that IV therapy is known to help with are as follows.
- Fibromyalgia
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Fatigue
- Hangovers
- Cardiovascular disease
- Anxiety
- Migraines
- Depression
- Dehydration
The previously mentioned symptoms and conditions can be so draining and tiring to experience that at times one can’t or does not want to leave the bed or their home.
If you or a family member are in any such situation and are living in Dubai, it is now possible to get an IV drip at home in Dubai through ServiceMarket. All you have to do is, go to the website or app, and book a service for the time most convenient for you.
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[1]IV Fluids (Intravenous Fluids): Types & Uses. (n.d.-b). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21635-iv-fluids#:~:text=What%20are%20IV,eat%20or%20drink.
[2]Peters, B., MD. (2022, November 28). An Overview of Vitamin Deficiency. Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/can-vitamin-deficiency-cause-insomnia-3014720#toc-causes-of-vitamin-deficiency:~:text=Medical%20Illness,vitamin%20deficiency%20include%3A
[3]Rd, R. R. M. (2019, September 26). Alpha-Lipoic Acid: Weight Loss, Other Benefits and Side Effects. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/alpha-lipoic-acid#weight-loss:~:text=Alpha%2Dlipoic%20acid%20and%20weight%20loss
[4]Cissn, R. M. M. (2018, November 6). L-Carnitine: Benefits, Side Effects, Sources and Dosage. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/l-carnitine#:~:text=L%2Dcarnitine%20is%20a%20naturally,match%20up%20with%20the%20science.
[5]Cherney, K. (2019, March 14). Everything You Need to Know About Lipotropic Injections. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/lipotropic-injections
[6]Richardson, R. (2022, February 28). How Magnesium Infusion Improves Depression and Anxiety. Rocky Mountain IV. https://rockymountainivmedics.com/how-magnesium-infusion-improves-depression-and-anxiety/#:~:text=How%20Does%20Magnesium,warranted%20further%20research.
[7]Does IV Hydration Cure Hangovers? (2021, July 22). https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/HealthU/2021/07/22/Does-IV-Hydration-Cure-Hangovers#:~:text=Rehydrating%20with%20IV%20fluids%20won,to%20light%20or%20loud%20noises.
[8]Whelan, C. (2018, September 18). Glutathione Benefits. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/glutathione-benefits#glutathione-benefits:~:text=1.%20Reduces%20oxidative,in%20cancer%20cells.
[9]Gillespie, C. (2018, September 29). Everything You Need to Know About Doing a Vitamin C Flush. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/vitamin-c-flush
[10] 5 Benefits of IV Therapy: Balance Hormone Center: Alternative Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.balancehormoneoklahoma.com/blog/5-benefits-of-iv-therapy#:~:text=Chronic%20fatigue,Digestive%20issues
