There could be times when you would not be able to consume anything orally, be it fluids, medications, or nutrients. IV infusion helps you overcome this challenge by administering everything directly into your vein.
Houston, TX emergency room physicians and trained nursing staff provide IV infusion services to deliver medications, nutrients, or fluids into your bloodstream to enable quick absorption.
An insight into IV infusions
IV infusion is a mode of delivering essential nutrients, fluids, and medicines directly into your bloodstream when oral consumption is not favorable or possible. Your doctor can administer IV fluids, or IV antibiotics depending on your individual health needs.
During an IV infusion, a needle with a catheter is inserted into your vein. Then a tube attached to an IV bag is inserted into one end of the catheter that slowly delivers the desired drugs or fluid.
Potential benefits of IV infusions
The benefits of IV infusion include:
- Quick absorption
- Provides better hydration
- Improves energy by replenishing the lost electrolytes quickly
- Facilitates quick pain relief
- Fast absorption
- Reduced nausea
- Improved healing
- Minimal risk of complications
Indications of IV infusions
IV infusions are most often recommended for the following conditions:
- Severe dehydration
- Infections
- Nutritional deficiency
- When oral administration is not possible due to persistent nausea and vomiting
- Ongoing pain
- Serious injury or burns
- During surgical intervention when you are unconscious
Being an ideal candidate for IV infusions
To determine if you need an IV infusion, your doctor will review your medical history and evaluate the severity of your symptoms. Your vitals like BP, temperature, pulse, heart rate, and respiratory rate are recorded.
Furthermore, your doctor will perform a physical exam and run a few diagnostic tests like:
- Blood analysis
- Urine tests
- Imaging procedures like X-rays, ultrasound scans, or MRIs
Based on the diagnostic findings, your doctor can customize a treatment plan that best suits your health needs.
IV infusion procedure
When you come in for an IV infusion you will be made to lie comfortably on a table or a reclining chair. Your doctor will check for an appropriate vein to gently insert the needle into your arm or handle and infuse fluids, medicines, nutrients, or other substances into your bloodstream.
The infusions last for about 15 to 90 minutes based on your unique health needs. You may require one or more than one infusion to achieve optimal health with minimal risk of complications.
There is absolutely no downtime, thus you can resume your routine activities right away.
Takeaway
IV infusions are an easy and effective way of delivering medications, fluids, or nutrients into the bloodstream directly via your veins. This offers fast absorption thereby providing quick symptomatic relief from dehydration, pain, and other medical issues.
