IV Hydration - What Are the Benefits?

IV Hydration is a treatment that delivers fluids and nutrients directly into the bloodstream. It's used in hospitals to treat severe dehydration and to promote rehydration following illness or intense athletic activity. It is also widely available at "hydration bars" and clinics that specialize in IV therapy. These businesses offer a wide variety of treatments, including vitamins, amino acids and electrolytes in addition to basic hydration.

Despite the hype surrounding these centers, there is no scientific evidence to support their claims that IV therapy has any health benefits other than basic hydration. The companies themselves are careful to point out that their services are not a hangover cure or a way to prevent illness, and they do not offer medical advice or diagnoses IV Hydration.

Most of the time, IVs are used to deliver medication and vitamins that cannot be easily absorbed by the intestines or stomach. Many people with chronic illnesses, like heart disease and diabetes, have problems with absorbing important vitamins and nutrients from their food and medications. For these individuals, IVs are a great way to get the nutrition they need.

When you are dehydrated, the cells that make up your skin become prone to drying and wrinkling. You may also feel a loss of energy and find that your muscle cells are not functioning properly. Dehydration also causes the brain to slow down and makes it difficult for you to process information.

Drinking water is often insufficient to deliver this amount of fluid to tissue and hydrate the kidneys and liver well. This can lead to a buildup of toxins in the body. IV hydration ensures an optimal supply of fluids to the kidney and liver, allowing them to function normally.

The fluids used in an IV are saline solutions that are made up of water and sodium chloride, or sugar-containing solutions (glucose, dextrose or levulose). These solutions mimic the physiologic fluid found in our bodies. They are injected into the vein, usually in the arm. Some of these solutions may contain other ingredients, such as an anti-nausea drug or a pain reliever. Some are enriched with antioxidants, such as vitamin C, which can help protect the immune system. Others are infused with B vitamins, which contribute to many important bodily functions.