IV Therapy ExplainedIV Therapy Explained

417 Integrative Medicine is used in a hospital setting for many reasons, including to hydrate patients who can’t drink enough, to provide medication that cannot be taken by mouth, and to support blood flow during surgery or severe illness. IVs also are used for other purposes, such as reducing nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and for people with certain medical conditions.

At a drip bar, you sit in an armchair or on a bed and a nurse inserts a sterile IV into a vein at the top of your neck or on the inside of your elbow. After cleaning the area, she puts an elastic band (tourniquet) around your upper arm to make sure all the blood flows to the same spot. She then removes the band and slides in a syringe with a long needle attached.

Beyond the Needle: Understanding the Science Behind IV Therapy

The nurse then adds a saline solution, which is a sterile mixture of water and salt, to begin the hydration process. Various other ingredients can be added to the IV fluids for a variety of health benefits. These include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and medications.

Athletes use IV drips to replenish nutrients speed up recovery from a hard workout and prevent dehydration. Some of these IVs can be customized with specific ingredients, such as antioxidants and electrolytes that help relieve hangover symptoms, or anti-nausea medications for morning sickness.

Oral supplements must pass through the digestive system to be absorbed into your body’s bloodstream, but IVs bypass this process so all the nutrients are available immediately. For example, the popular “Myers’ Cocktail” includes vitamin C, which reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, as well as B vitamins, magnesium and glutathione, which have all been shown to improve energy levels and immune health.