What Is IV Therapy and How Does It Work?

Americans have been popping vitamins since the 1940s - and today, more than one-third of us are taking some form of vitamin or mineral dietary supplement. But in the last few years, people have been getting their vitamin fix by another means: IV therapy. 

In the celebrity world, getting hooked up to a drip for an infusion of health-boosting body-nourishing nutrients has become as standard as throwing back a green juice.

From Miley Cyrus and Madonna to Lady Gaga and Rhianna, these stars are not shy to show their love for IV therapy, often posting selfies of themselves getting treatment on their social media pages.

That said, IV therapy isn't just for the A-listers -- anyone who wants to feel and look their best can benefit from an IV infusion to reap the benefits it has to offer.

Whether you're looking for relief from a condition or just in need of a little pick-me-up, IV therapy just might be what you need to get back on your feet.

Wondering how it works and what conditions IV therapy treats? We can help. Read on as we explore this popular treatment and uncover how it can help you to feel nothing less than amazing.

What Is IV Therapy?

Intravenous (IV) therapy is a popular method of delivering fluids, medications, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients directly into one's bloodstream.

Commonly referred to as 'drips,' IVs are the most effective and quickest way to deliver these essential nutrients to your body and brain.

Despite what many people might think, when you take vitamins by mouth, the absorption of nutrients from your gut can be quite minimal. In fact, sometimes, it doesn't even matter what you eat or drink -- you may not be getting any more than a fraction of the nutrients into your bloodstream. 

When you infuse these nutrients via IV, you're getting a significantly higher percentage of the nutrients delivered straight into your bloodstream, completely bypassing the digestive system.

By using this increasingly popular method, more of the nutrients can be delivered directly to the cells throughout your entire body. This way, you can benefit from everything the nutrients have to offer -- not just what makes it through your digestive system.

What Does The Process Look Like?

IV therapy is very simple. During treatment, a Registered Nurse begins by first sanitizing the area on your skin where the needle will be in the vein. 

A very thin needle inside a catheter is then used to pierce your freshly cleaned skin and insert the catheter directly into the vein. Other than a slight pinch at insertion, it's generally painless!

Once it's in your vein, the nurse will use medical tape to help keep it in place to avoid it from falling out and needing to re-pierce your skin.

The IV line is attached to a bag of hydration that the nurse will hang on an IV pole above your head. This will allow gravity to work its magic to push the fluid down into your bloodstream.

Treatment time tends to vary a little bit from person to person, as everyone absorbs hydration at different rates. But on average, you can expect your treatment to take between 30 and 60 minutes.

Some IV treatments like ivee's NAD+ IV therapy will help support your brain's neuron function by assisting your cells in regenerating while protecting them against damage resulting in higher concentration, improved memory function, and better mental clarity -- we say the extra time is well worth it!

Why IV Therapy?

Not quite ready to give this popular treatment a try? Here are a few reasons why people all over the world love IV therapy.

Guaranteed Vitamin Absorption

Some medical issues and medications can interrupt your body's ability to properly absorb the nutrients it needs to function at its best. With IV therapy, you can rest easy knowing that the vitamins are completely and quickly absorbed directly into your bloodstream, which will allow your body to utilize them immediately.

Instant Hydration

Believe it or not, IV therapy is the most efficient way to provide your body with optimal hydration to support all vital organ functions.

Even if you're just slightly dehydrated, it can lead to a whole slew of icky side effects, including nausea, dizziness, muscle cramps, heart palpitations, and more.

IV therapy works by replenishing your body with water to keep everything in tip-top shape and in perfect working order, instantly.

Customized Treatments

The truth is that our bodies are not all the same. That being said, a one-size-fits-all approach isn't always practical because we all have different needs depending on our physical activity levels, lifestyle, and general health.

To keep yourself at peak form, you need to fuel your body with exactly what it needs -- what works for your bestie might not work for you. Since IV therapy is completely customized to your unique body, it will provide you with the perfect mix of nutrients that your body craves to perform at its best.

Immediate Results

Another reason why so many people love IV therapy is that it offers immediate results. You see, when you eat food, it can take up to two days to completely digest.

Once your food has been digested, all of the yummy nutrients will then be absorbed by your body, allowing you to reap the benefits they have to offer.

With IV therapy, on the other hand, you can start to feel the positive effects almost instantly, and within just a couple of hours, the full effects can kick in, leaving you with more energy, more mental clarity, and a much better mood.

What Conditions Can IV Therapy Help With?

So, what conditions can IV therapy help with? You might be under the impression that IV therapy is really only good for hydration purposes and kicking pesky hangovers to the curb. However, the truth is that treatment via IV can actually help with a wide range of conditions by delivering the exact nutrients your body needs to feel better.

Here are some of the most common conditions that IV therapy may help with:

• Migraines
• Dehydration
• Immune deficiencies
• Asthma
• Genetic conditions

If you're struggling with a chronic condition and want to give IV therapy a try, be sure to talk with your primary care provider first to discuss if this type of treatment is right for you.

While IV therapy can help to treat many conditions, your doctor knows your medical history best and can tell you whether or not infusion treatment is a good option to ease your symptoms.

Wrapping It Up

IV therapy is safe and simple. And the best part?

With ivee, you can get convenient, on-demand IV therapy from the comfort of your very own home.

Yup, you read that right!

This means no cold waiting rooms and no wait time. Just you on the couch with a nurse and an IV.

So what's not to love?

Ready to feel your very best? Head on over to ivee today and start feeling your best tomorrow.

Trust us - you'll be glad you did!

Sources:

Multivitamin/mineral Supplements - Health Professional Fact Sheet | NIH

8.2 Intravenous Fluid Therapy – Clinical Procedures for Safer Patient Care | Open Text BC

Top Reasons for the Popularity of IV Drips Among Celebrities | Psych Reg

Bioavailability: Using the Food We Eat In the Body We Have (Part Two) | Meridian Health