IV therapy is a form of medical treatment that involves the use of an intravenous catheter and the infusion of fluids or medications. IV therapy can treat various conditions, including infections, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance. You can deliver these substances into your bloodstream by yourself or with the help of your doctor. It is important to note that you can also use IV infusion therapy even when healthy because it can help boost your energy levels and immunity. If you are looking for the fastest way to deliver nutrients, hydration, or medication, consider a Southlake IV therapy procedure. Let us look at five common types of IV fluids you may get during your treatment.
1. Saline
Saline is a sterile salt solution used in IV infusion therapy. It contains sodium chloride (NaCl), which is the same as table salt and has a unique taste, but it also includes other ingredients like water and dextrose. The saline concentration can vary from 0-500 mEq/L (milliequivalents per liter).
Saline solutions dissolve NaCl in water, another liquid, or medication. It helps treat dehydration caused by vomiting, diarrhea, trauma, or burn injuries. However, patients with renal impairment and heart failure should avoid using this IV fluid due to the high sodium content to avoid the risk of volume overload.
2. Lactated Ringer’s
Lactated Ringer’s (LR) fluids contain sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, and lactate solutions. LR helps with fluid resuscitation and electrolyte replacement. It also provides an osmolarity similar to plasma that can help monitor blood glucose levels or other laboratory tests.
LR comes in bags containing either 4 or 8 liters of solution, depending on your needs. Your doctor may administer it as an IV bolus or continuous infusion over time. This solution may be right for you if you suffer from acute blood loss, burn injuries, and fluid loss in the lower gastrointestinal tract.
3. Dextrose
Dextrose is the most commonly used fluid for intravenous therapy. It consists of three main versions that help treat hypoglycemia, electrolyte imbalances, and dehydration. They include dextrose in water, saline, and Lactated Ringer.
These different versions of dextrose solutions help treat different health cases in patients. However, dextrose solutions should be avoided by patients with renal or cardiac complications to prevent the risk of pulmonary edema and heart failure.
4. Albumin-Saline (Albumin-based Fluid)
Albumin-based fluids often help prevent fluid loss in patients with low blood pressure, pancreatitis, or trauma. They may also be appropriate in patients with burns or trauma because albumin is an effective treatment for hypovolemic shock. It commonly treats hypovolemic shock because it can help restore normal electrolytes and other nutrients your body needs to function normally.
5. Half-Normal Saline
Half-normal saline is quite similar to saline IV fluids. However, it is a hypotonic solution containing half the sodium chloride concentration. If you have diabetes and can not handle extra glucose in your body, your doctor might recommend infusing half-normal saline IV fluids through your vein into your bloodstream.
However, it is best to avoid using this solution if you have burn injuries, liver disease, or severe trauma. This is because a half-normal saline solution can dangerously deplete your intravascular fluids. Therefore, consult your doctor before self-administering this IV solution into your bloodstream.
IV infusion therapy is an ideal and effective way of administering intravenous fluids, medication, and blood products into your body. It is a relatively short procedure that takes one or two hours, depending on the fluid intake and the type of solution infused.
Before your IV infusion procedure, avoid shaving the area of the site, as it could lead to abrasion during infusion. Also, share any past medical treatments with your doctor before treatment. Doing this will help your doctor determine which IV fluid is right for you.
