What is IV Drip Nutrition Therapy?
IV Drip nutrition therapy is an elective, adjunctive treatment in which the micro nutrients, macro nutrients, vitamins, minerals, amino-acids and antioxidants are delivered by way of the intravenous route also known as an IV DRIP under medical supervision in a clinical setting.
What is the theory behind IV Drip Nutrition Therapy?
To deliver nutrients in high concentrations to the body tissues and cells.
Hypothesis : Some chronic and ill-defined illnesses and medical conditions are associated with or exacerbated by the low or deficient levels of vitamins, minerals, amino-acids and antioxidants in the “interstitial fluid” or “extracellular matrix”.
It’s been proposed that a harmless mixture of key nutritional supplements might be given in a single intravenous infusion to literally flooding each cell in the body with nutrients to perhaps improve their performance.
What are the conditions where IV Drip Nutrition Therapy may help?
Some possible conditions include,Inflammation, Unexplained fatigue, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, adjunct to Weight loss diets, Anorexia, Aesthenia, post Bariatric Surgery, Acute Neuropathy, Fibromyalgia, Myofascial pain, Migraine, Tension Headache, Post party Hangover, Muscle Spasms, Muscle soreness, Acute viral illnesses (common cold, URTI, Flu), Chronic Sinusitis, Allergic rhinitis, Enhancement of endurance, Oral ulcers/Aphthous ulcers, Chronic Infections, Patients on Cancer Chemotherapy, Osteoporosis, Nutritional Deficiency conditions like Anaemia, Malabsorption Syndrome, Dehydration, Hashimoto’s disease (although not proven)
How is an IV Drip Nutrition Therapy Procedure done?
Before an IV Drip Nutrition therapy a complete Clinical Assessment is done by health care professional. After that Laboratory evaluationsare done (as needed). Based upon clinical evaluation and patients’ requirements the constitution of the IV Drip is decided by the Medical Doctor. Following which the choice of fluid and the rate of infusion to be used is decided by the Medical Doctor. Once the drip is prepared and ready the IV line is secured by a trained nurse staffunder full aseptic precautions.The patient is supervised throughout the IV infusion process.
What are the most common ingredients of an IV Drip Nutrition Therapy?
Although globally various ingredients are used around the world for IV Drip nutrition therapy based upon patients needs and health goals. However most common are Glutathione, Vitamin C, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacinamide, Pyridoxine, Methylcobalamin, Dexpenthenol, L-Carnitine, Calcium, Aminoacids, Iron, Bisphosphanates togetether mixed with different types of IV Fluids like (Normal Saline, Dextrose Normal Saline, Dextrose 5%, Dextrose 10%, Ringer Lactate etc)
What are the possible side effects of IV Drip Nutrition Therapy?
Although IV Drip Nutrition therapy is a very safe treatment and delivery method under medical supervision still once may have local sensation of warmth, Irritation at injection site, some local Pain at the site of cannula insertion, very rarely patients may have symptoms of low blood pressure Hypotension , or low blood sugar Hypoglycaemia, local Rash at the insertion site, subjective feeling of Nausea and rarely Allergy to either a component of IV Drip or IV line. For which the patient is monitored throughout and managed accordingly by the supervising doctor.
When should one avoid IV Drip Nutrition Therapy?
IV Drip Nutrition therapy is not for everyone. Apart from general individual health considerations based upon clinical evaluation , medical and allergy historyparticularly History of Anaphylaxis to any ingredient of the IV Drip Nutrition therapy there are some specific conditions when IV Drip Nutrition therapy should be avoided. Namely G6PD deficiency as it may lead to haemolysis or breakdown of red blood cells.
Patients with Chronic Kidney Diseases , Congestive Heart Failure, patients with Arrhythmias
Or patients taking Digoxin as a part of cardiac treatment should avoid IV Drip Nutrition Therapy.
What is the duration of IV Drip Nutrition Therapy?
There are multiple factors that decide the duration of an IV Drip Nutrition Therapy. It depends upon the volume of the IV drip the type of the IV drip and the rate of the IV drip to be infused , sometimes even factoring the location of the cannula and the ingredients to be used in the IV drip . Keeping all these factors in mind the medical doctor decides the ideal plan for the patients’ needs that are therapeutically beneficial and comfortable. Usually a Single IV drip nutrition takes about 30 minutes to 120 minutes. The frequency of IV Drip is usually Once or twice a weekly for as long as possible.When going for less frequent dosing (like one or twice a month), then have oral supplementations in between.
Who should take IV Drip Nutrition Therapy?
Patients having:Fatigue, Lethargy, Low Energy, Low Mood, Calorie restriction (weight loss diets), Undergone Bariatric Surgery, Low exercise endurance, Anorexia, Aesthenia, Flu/Viral fever, Recovering from illness, Taking Cancer Chemotherapy, Dehydration, Hashimoto’s disease (Not proven though), Nutritional deficiencies (Vitamins/Minerals), Malabsorption syndrome, Chronic Inflammation, Nutritional deficiency Anaemia, Migraine, Chronic aches and pains, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Myalgia, Osteoporosis, Patients on ATT (Treatment for Tuberculosis), Oral ulcers/Aphthous ulcers , Acute Neuropathy - For Generalized wellbeing and wellness