Introduction:
Intravenous (IV) therapy is a treatment that delivers molecules through liquid vectors directly into the bloodstream. It is undoubtedly the fastest way to administer molecules to the human body because the blood circulation receives and carries them allowing them to act often almost instantaneously by reaching their target organs and receptors.
The human diet must provide some basic nutrients, however due to chronic stress, unbalanced lifestyle, immune disorders (eg flu or cold), our nutritional status is often not optimal and the nutritional needs of the human body are not respected. Intravenous therapy can be used to correct many pathological situations by administrating beneficial and therapeutic molecules.
Intravenous therapy was developed from 1831 onwards after the work of Thomas Latta. This revolutionary pharmaceutical form at the time can nourish, moisturize, purify, and serve as a vehicle for multiple active ingredients. It has had a considerable development because of its success in many serious pathologies (such as tetanus and cholera) and because it allowed the emergence of reanimation and intensive care. The first intravenous injections of sugar are reported in 1872 by Moutard-Martin and Riche.
Today, this therapy is growing even more because of the many benefits it provides to health. The purpose of this article will be to expose these benefits.
Currently, this therapy is the fastest and easiest way to instantly provide our body with the nutrients it needs to function optimally.
In pharmacology, it is undoubtedly the fastest method of administration. It is also the most reliable method concerning the doses administered since it circumvents the individual variations related to the digestive tract of individuals. It allows, among other things, the prevention of illnesses, the management of acute or chronic health problems, while causing a state of well-being that counteracts the stress linked to these pathologies.
Why IV therapy?
Intravenous therapy is a unique and powerful treatment that is very useful in many conditions by its quick and effective action.
Whether for boosting your energy, improving your health, treating acute or chronic medical conditions, or simply maintaining optimal health for future conditions, IV therapy delivers the nutrients you need your body needs for optimal health.
Through this mode of administration, the nutrients are provided for your organism in a very fast way, whereas the traditional ways (through the food) are often confronted with obstacles related to the digestion and the ‘absorption. These processes are often hindered in case of stress or inter-related pathologies (such as ulcers, flu…).
Hospitals nowadays use IV for almost all hospitalized patients. This therapy is used to treat people who are dehydrated or too sick to eat properly. It also rehydrates, supplements the intake of vitamins and essential components despite the precarious condition of patients.
Here are the main benefits of IV therapy:
Integral absorption of nutrients :
Several drugs and diseases interrupt the ability of your digestive tract to properly absorb the nutrients that the human body needs to function optimally. With intravenous therapy, you can be sure that nutrients are fully absorbed into your body, enabling them to act quickly and efficiently.
Boost of energy :
Intravenous therapy is very beneficial in cases of stress, anxiety, depression, or intercurrent illnesses like colds or flu. It allows a quick revival of energy and boosts the immunity to facilitate the healing process
Instant rehydration :
Rehydration is a basic need for the body. IV Therapy is undoubtedly the fastest way to rehydrate effectively. Effective rehydration eases almost all the chemical reactions in our body. It avoids kidney stones, muscle injuries and protein catabolism. Rehydration also promotes an optimal cognitive state (especially for hangovers or intoxicated patients).
Fast treatment administration:
While conventional dietary supplements are prescribed as long-term treatments, IV therapy is characterized by sessions. The intake of nutrients, vitamins and others is done in one session and spares you the chore to take your daily supplementation.
Reduced dependency on pills :
Beyond the rapidity compared to conventional treatments, IV therapy also frees patients from the habit of taking pills and the psychological state of depression associated with long-term medication, which optimizes the associated psychological state of patients.
Ideal preventive therapy :
Many scientific studies confirm the effectiveness of certain vitamins and minerals in the fight against cancer, such as vitamin E and C and zinc. Unfortunately, the occidental lifestyle often includes a diet that doesn’t respect the needs for these three elements found at an adequate dose through therapy IV.
Immediate results :
Beyond all these benefits, therapy IV stands out above all by the fact that its results are instantaneous. This is an important point in acute pathological states such as sudden onset influenza, panic attack or hangover.
Great choice for athletes :
Intensive sport practise is a major source of dehydration, which is why a large number of sportsmen opt for IV therapy to recover the amount of water lost and optimize their intake of vitamins and amino acids to improve their protein anabolism.
Combat the oxidative stress of your body :
The polluting environment of our western societies exposes us to various pollutants with pro-inflammatory properties. Intravenous therapy provides the body with enough antioxidants to counter the oxidative stress associated with these pollutants.
Customized treatments:
One of the many benefits of IV therapy is the ability to customize the treatment. We thus find different associations of molecules according to the patients’ pathologies and their metabolic needs:
- To boost immunity, we find solutions enriched in magnesium, calcium, vitamin B-12, B-5, thiamine, vitamin C, glutathione, zinc, essential minerals and trace elements that have the property of strengthening the immune system.
- To improve cognitive properties, particularly in the case of examinations or stress at work, the solutions are enriched with nootropic peptides, glutathione, inositol, and B complex. These molecules promote neuronal functioning
- To improve your mood, especially during seasonal transitions or during stressful events, IV solutions are enriched in nootropic peptides, phenyl GABA, taurine, glutathione and essential minerals that improve the synthesis of serotonin and help balance your mood.
- Some preparations are designed for athletes to improve their sports performance without being considered doping. They contain glutathione, lipotropic peptides, B-complex, calcium and essential minerals for the health of muscles and bones.
- Intravenous therapy is also highly recommended in hangovers, containing antioxidants and moisturizers to help the body eliminate excess alcohol. They also contain glucose to optimize cerebral functioning. The main ingredients are magnesium, thiamine, B-complex, glutathione, essential minerals, analgesics and anti-emetics.
- Some solutions are recommended for the general population in order to fill the deficits in various vitamins, they contain in particular the complex B, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin K, zinc, calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, molybdenum, riboflavin, and other essential minerals for cellular regeneration.
- Other solutions with different composition can also be proposed depending on the case, especially for people suffering from jetlag, chronic fatigue or migraines.
After detailing the benefits of IV therapy, it’s important to highlight some precautions to promote a safe use of this therapy:
Concerning the risks:
Intravenous therapy can be dangerous for some people. People with congestive heart failure, for example, should be cautious because excess fluid in the blood can cause pulmonary edema in some patients. Report any pathology you have to the health care professional responsible for the infusion.
Also, remember that every time you puncture your skin, even during a standard blood test, there is a risk of infection. A poorly delivered or misplaced IV needle can also lead to complications, including infiltration (when the fluid enters the tissues), hematoma (when the blood enters the tissues).
It should be noted, however, that if the infusion is delivered by qualified personnel in a specialized center, these risks are close to 0%.
Manage expectations:
Whatever the reason that motivates you to opt for intravenous therapy, it must always be kept in mind that the human body usually heals gradually, and that intravenous therapy, although revolutionary, is not a miracle cure.
Health and well-being are thoughtful and slow processes, and you often have to be patient with your body, and give it the necessary time to adapt and overcome the pathological situations.
To conclude, intravenous therapy has multiple benefits that make it an increasingly used treatment today. Its instantaneous results and its scientifically proven efficiency make it even more essential in many cases. However, it must take into account that there are few risks, and above all it’s important to get treated by professionals to enjoy all the benefits of this treatment at least risk.
