IV Infusion Therapy

IV infusion therapy guide

IV Infusion Therapy is rapidly growing in popularity because it is one of the fastest and most effective ways for the body to absorb the vital nutrients and liquids it needs to maintain optimum health. This incredible new treatment option allows patients to receive higher concentrations of the vitamins and minerals they would otherwise take by mouth, which ultimately lose their potency once they pass through the stomach.

While infusion therapy has been used for generations to deliver medications to those with chronic illnesses, this new form of IV therapy involves delivering essential vitamins and minerals directly into the body, bypassing the body’s digestive system, so they can be fully utilized.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about IV Infusion Therapy and how it can help you reach your health and wellness goals.

Table of Contents:

 

What is IV Infusion Therapy?

IV Infusion Therapy involves administering vitamins and other nutrients intravenously. This type of therapy allows for much more efficient treatment of various health conditions since it delivers nutrients, medications, as well as hydration, directly into the bloodstream. This provides a higher nutrient absorption rate along with essential hydration, which together allows the patient to obtain relief faster.

How Do IV Infusions Work?

IV Infusions work because the nutrients are absorbed quickly through the body’s circulatory system. Unlike vitamins that are administered orally, IV vitamins are not broken down by the body’s gastric system, which can greatly reduce the potency of such nutrients by as much as 50%.In truth, several factors can affect the body’s ability to absorb nutrients once they reach the stomach, including:

  • Age
  • Metabolism
  • State of one’s health
  • Genetics
  • Interactions with other food, supplements, and medications
  • Physical and chemical makeup of the nutritional supplement or food

IV Therapy FAQs

IV Vitamin Therapy is a popular trend among celebrities, athletes, and social media influencers, many of whom tout the treatment for its unique health-boosting abilities, which include helping them perform better, look and feel healthier, improve their skin and hair health, and even improve their sexual function.

However as this is a medical treatment, it is important for patients to fully understand what the treatment is and get the answers they need to make the best decisions for their health and wellness. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about IV Therapy.

Is Vitamin Infusion Safe?

Yes. IV infusions are very safe when they are administered in a clean environment by a trained professional using sterile needles. Because these infusions tend to include high concentrations of certain vitamins and minerals, it is important to discuss your treatment needs with your doctor as some people with certain health issues can have unwanted effects should they receive too much of one or more vitamins.

The biggest risk associated with this type of treatment is infection, as it is administered directly into the bloodstream. This method bypasses the body’s first line of defense against bacteria, the skin. Of course, the risk of infection is rare when the treatment is administered by a trained professional in a clean setting. Other more serious risks can include allergic reactions, blood clots, vein irritation and inflammation, hematoma, air embolisms, cellulitis, electrolyte imbalance, skin necrosis, abscess development, and fluid overload, but these are also exceedingly rare.

Are There Any Side Effects?

IV Vitamin Infusion is safe, effective, and very well tolerated by most patients, but in some cases, side effects may present themselves. The most commonly reported side effects tend to involve the injection site and include:

  • Swelling and/or itching at the injection site
  • Bleeding from the injection site
  • Bruising at the injection site
  • Inflammation of the veins (if the IV is present for a long time)
  • Damage to the blood vessels

Other possible side effects can include dizziness, nausea, muscle stiffness, and headache.

 

How Long Does an IV Infusion Take?

A typical IV Vitamin Infusion takes about 45 minutes from start to finish, but the duration of each session ultimately depends on the individual’s specific needs. Most medical centers have dedicated spaces where patients can receive their infusions in a comfortable environment. Once the IV is connected and flowing, the patient can spend their time how they wish, be it taking a nap, reading a book, surfing the web, listening to music, knitting, or watching a movie. Most facilities provide comfortable reclining chairs and blankets.

What Vitamins are Commonly Included in IV Therapy Treatments?

IV Therapy treatments can be used to deliver a wide range of vitamins and minerals, but one of the most common combinations used is known as Myers’ Cocktail. This mixture includes high doses of Vitamins B and C, Calcium, and Magnesium, which are diluted in an IV bag filled with sterile water.

There are also IV therapies designed to help treat specific health issues, such as Vitamin C infusions for people with cancer, Selenium infusions for people with acute respiratory distress syndrome, Magnesium Sulfate infusions for people with acute asthma, and others. Some IV Infusions may also contain amino acids or antioxidants, such as glutathione.

How Long Does It Take for IV Infusions to Work?

When vitamins and minerals are administered into the body through an IV, their effects will be felt quicker than if the person consumed them orally. And since the vitamins are water-soluble and administered along with fluids, any vitamins that aren’t absorbed and used by the body are excreted through the kidneys where they exit the body naturally through urine. Ultimately how fast an IV Infusion works, and how long the vitamins stay in the body, can differ by the individual.

What are the Main Benefits of IV Infusion Therapy?

There are three primary benefits of using IV Infusion Therapy:

  • Speed: Through this method, medications, nutrients, and fluids are administered directly into the vein, where they can get immediately to work and help a patient recover quickly. This is especially useful in cases where the person needs fluids or electrolytes quickly, such as someone suffering from severe dehydration.
  • Efficiency: IV therapy is a highly efficient means of getting fluids, medications, and nutrients into the body because it bypasses the gastric system. This allows treatment professionals to target specific organs more effectively.
  • Convenience: If an individual is being hospitalized or being treated at home for several days at a time, the IV can remain in the cannula. This allows the treatment professionals to provide regular infusions without requiring a new needle to be inserted every time.

IV Infusion Therapy is also an excellent preventive therapy that can help reduce an individual’s reliance on pills. Vitamin infusions have also been shown to help users look and feel younger, increase their energy, get better quality sleep, balance their hormones, and prevent certain health problems like constipation, kidney stones, and muscle damage.

IV Vitamin Therapy is also a popular treatment option used to:

  • Relieve stress
  • Remove toxins from the body
  • Encourage post-exercise recovery
  • Reduce hangover symptoms
  • Manage migraines
  • Control muscle spasms
  • Alleviate allergy symptoms
  • Reduce the risk of sinus and respiratory tract infections
  • Treat fibromyalgia
  • Treat chronic fatigue syndrome

 

Can I Self-Administer My IV Therapy?

While some services offer IV Vitamin Infusions at home, a person should have the procedure performed in a medical setting by trained medical professionals when they need it. Due to the sensitive nature of IV therapies, they should never be performed by the patient or someone with limited experience. A person should always consult their doctor or other healthcare professional before they schedule an at-home IV Infusion.

How is IV Therapy Administered?

IV infusion therapy guide

Most typical IV Therapy Treatments follow the same procedure, which includes the following steps:

  1. Before starting the procedure, a medical professional will examine the patient’s arm to choose the vein where they will insert the cannula. Common sites include the forearm, wrist, the back of the hand, or the top of the foot.
  2. Once a vein is chosen, the medical professional will sanitize the area with an alcohol wipe before inserting a fine needle attached to the cannula. Adhesive tape is usually used to secure the cannula in place, so it doesn’t accidentally fall out.
  3. Once the cannula is secured, the medical professional will connect it to the IV start the infusion set the drip frequency.
  4. As the infusion progresses, the medical professional will regularly check the cannula to ensure that the IV is flowing properly and that the patient is not experiencing pain or swelling in the area.
  5. Once the IV Vitamin Therapy is complete, the medical professional will disconnect the cannula from the IV tubing and remove the needle from the vein (unless the patient requires ongoing IV treatments).
  6. Pressure is then applied over the insertion wound to help slow any bleeding, followed by the wound being dressed with a cotton ball and adhesive tape or a band-aid.

 

How Often Will I Need Infusion Treatment?

The frequency in which someone receives Infusion Treatment depends on a range of factors, the most common of which include the condition they are being treated for and the state of their health. For instance, people who suffer from gastric disorders which prevent them from absorbing vitamins and minerals from food or supplements will need more frequent treatments compared to someone who wants an IV Vitamin Infusion to help them overcome a hangover.

What Other Health Benefits Does Vitamin Infusion Provide?

IV Infusions can be used to help treat a variety of health concerns besides simply getting the body the nutrients it needs in the fastest manner possible. Doctors often rely on this treatment to help treat:

  • Chronic or severe pain
  • Blood loss
  • Malnutrition
  • Severe dehydration
  • Post-operative recovery
  • Sluggish immune systems

Is IV Infusion Therapy Covered by Insurance?

When IV Infusion Therapy is administered in a medical setting by healthcare professionals to treat certain health conditions, it is generally covered under most insurance. But when the treatment is used for other non-medical reasons, like as a hangover remedy or as part of a beauty regimen, then insurance will usually not cover it. Therefore, it is always recommended that the person speak with their insurance provider to find out whether they cover the treatment.

Who is the Ideal Candidate for IV Vitamin Therapy?

Infusion Vitamin Therapy is suitable for a broad range of people, from those suffering from chronic conditions to those simply wanting to improve their health and wellness by maximizing their nutrient intake and absorption. This treatment is highly effective at helping patients suffering from fatigue, the common cold, the flu, and other conditions that can take a toll on the immune system. It is particularly beneficial to those who find it difficult, uncomfortable, or impossible to take pills orally as well as those who have been unresponsive to oral vitamins or medications.

Who Manufactures Vitamin Infusions?

Quality matters when it comes to Intravenous Vitamin Infusions, so you want to ensure that you are being administered a solution that is manufactured by a company that takes its product’s quality very seriously.

National Medical Resources, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of Intravenous Vitamin Infusions. We strive to provide the highest quality medical products and services available, and our partnered pharmacies practice quality assurance measures that are designed to ensure that all ingredients utilized in the production of our solutions are from the highest standard raw material sourcing available on the market. As a result, our pharmacies meet or exceed national standards for sterile products.

Where to Buy IV Infusion Therapy

National Medical Resources, Inc. makes it easy to buy Vitamin Infusions in bulk and at wholesale prices for your medical office, clinic, Wellness Center, Weight Loss Clinic, or MedSpa. If you are located in or around Birmingham, Alabama, you can call our local phone number at 205-421-9702. Or if you are outside of Birmingham, then you can use toll-free at 1-877-262-0836. We are licensed to ship to most states.

You can also submit an online contact form by clicking here, and one of our sales representatives will contact you directly. When filling out the contact form, please indicate what state you’re ordering from, so our representative can send you the proper ordering information for your state.

Summary

To recap, IV Vitamin Therapy is a safe and highly efficient way of administering nutrients, medications, and other fluids directly into the bloodstream through a person’s veins. This process allows medical professionals to restore a patient’s fluids quickly and get them the nutrients and medications they need to treat a wide variety of conditions, from the common cold to cancer.

Although IV Therapy is extremely common, it is still an invasive procedure that comes with certain risks and the potential for side effects, like bruising, bleeding, and swelling at the needle insertion site. As a result, it is recommended to receive IV Therapy in a hospital setting via trained medical professionals. This procedure can also be administered at home, but when choosing an at-home provider, make sure you do your due diligence to ensure that they follow all standards for a safe and sterile application.

We hope this guide to IV Vitamin Therapy has provided you with the information you need to make the best decision for your health and wellness goals. Or, if you’re a healthcare provider or medical professional who is looking to offer their patients the latest health-boosting solutions, then contact us today to get on board. We can even help you establish your program.