Dehydration is a state where the body lacks adequate fluid, which can impair many functions in the body. Many bodily functions also decline with age, compounding the adverse effects of dehydration.
Fortunately, dehydration can easily be reversed with a treatment like hydration IV therapy. If you or a loved one has a chronic condition or are recovering from an illness, you may benefit greatly from hydration therapy. This type of IV therapy replenishes cells quickly so your body can dedicate its energy to recovery.
Let’s take a closer look at IV hydration: how it helps and who benefits from the treatment.Risks of Dehydration
Every cell in your body requires water for optimal function. If you’re dehydrated by as little as 1%, you may start to experience negative effects like memory and coordination troubles, and the side effects just get worse from there. If you have a medical condition, dehydration can make you feel worse than you already do.
Inadequate liquids can cause the blood to thicken and stress the cardiovascular system. Dehydration also impairs temperature regulation, joint lubrication, and waste removal.
At first, minor dehydration might cause symptoms like fatigue and headaches, but more advanced stages of dehydration can lead to serious risks and even death.
The elderly are particularly at risk of serious complications from dehydration such as:
- Urinary tract infections
- Kidney stones
- Kidney failure
- Hyperthermia or heat exhaustion
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Seizures
The human body requires water to survive. Every system, from your circulatory to your digestive and immune systems, requires water to work properly. Any time hydration levels dip below their prime, problems can develop and progress quickly.
Dehydration is so common that researchers estimate 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. This prevalence is one reason why IV treatments are so frequent in hospitals and medical settings.
Liquid IV Hydration Review
IV therapy is so common that up to 90% of hospital patients receive an IV during their hospitalization. Liquid IV hydration therapy is the most efficient way to pump liquids into a dehydrated body, helping maintain adequate levels for regular function and healing.
During liquid IV hydration, a healthcare provider attaches a bag of liquids to a needle in one of your veins through a long, thin tube. The treatment delivers liquids to your bloodstream through a slow drip.
The liquid in an IV usually contains a sterile saline solution of sodium chloride and water. The salt helps the body absorb the water. Pain medication, anesthetics, antibiotics, electrolytes, vitamins, and other essential nutrients and medications can also be included in the liquid solution based on need.
IV Hydration Therapy Benefits
One of the main advantages of hydration IV therapy is that it provides quicker delivery of fluids than drinking them by mouth. The IV delivers fluids directly into your bloodstream, whereas drinking requires processing through the digestive system.
For those who are severely dehydrated or need medication or nutrients fast, this quick delivery method can be life-saving.
IV hydration treatment can also benefit those at long- or short-term rehabilitation facilities, as hydration aids in recovery. Hydration therapy helps maintain proper fluid levels, which helps with:
- Removing waste products
- Supporting kidney function
- Fighting infection
- Improving immune deficiencies
- Maintaining optimal blood volume
- Flushing wounds
- Increasing energy
- Reducing disease-related pain
- Correcting nutritional deficiencies
An effective healthcare team strives to give you every opportunity to recover, and proper hydration is one tool that can optimize your healing process. If your doctor determines other nutrients, medications, and blood products may also benefit your health, he or she may also include them in your IV treatment.
Who Benefits Most from Hydration IV Therapy?
As we age, our ability to sense thirst and stay hydrated may decline. The elderly, sick, and injured can be at risk for dehydration due to a number of factors such as difficulty swallowing, vomiting, or taking water pills. Dehydration is one of the main causes of hospitalization for seniors, and IV treatments can help prevent that.
Those who have a hard time staying properly hydrated may benefit from hydration therapy. Hydration IV therapy can help replace fluids lost for those who are:
- Unable to swallow or ingest water
- Too weak or ill to drink
- Unconscious or under anesthesia
- Suffering from a gastrointestinal issue
- Losing fluids through sweat, vomit, or diarrhea
An IV can keep you adequately hydrated when you aren’t able to otherwise, especially if you’re recovering from an illness or injury.
Who Administers Liquid IV Hydration?
In order to administer an IV, a registered nurse or medical professional must have specialized training in intravenous therapy. They should be skilled providing and supervising the treatment, identifying signs of concern, and minimizing risk.
Some risks of IV treatments include infection or injury at the injection site, air embolism, and blood clot. The risks of IV treatments decrease in the hands of highly skilled providers, so it’s important to find a reputable practice.
Other than hospitals, not many medical facilities have 24-hour coverage of IV nursing staff. The attentive administration at Rehab Select understands how critical IV therapy is for those staying at a rehabilitation center. They’ve arranged to have nursing staff dedicated to IV treatment on-site at all times so that you can receive treatment in the comfort of your room.
If you or a loved one require IV therapy during your stay in a rehabilitation center, you’ll find Rehab Select a preferable option across the state of Alabama. Contact the office staff online or by calling the number listed at the top of this page.
