When you think of “IV drip” or “intravenous therapy,” you probably think of a hospital, an emergency room, or a medical facility. But IV therapy is often used by an acupuncturist or naturopath outside of a hospital setting. When it comes to administering intravenous drip, there are specific rules that must be followed to ensure safety and efficacy. This article will help you understand when it’s appropriate to administer an IV drip and what kind of fluids can be administered intravenously.
Potassium
It is a mineral that helps your body maintain normal heart rhythm, muscle contractions, and nerve function. Potassium deficiency can cause weakness, fatigue, and muscle aches.
Potassium can be given as an IV drip if your doctor has ordered it for you.
Magnesium
This is a common mineral that is found in many foods. Magnesium can treat low blood pressure, heart arrhythmias, muscle spasms, seizures, and restless leg syndrome.
If you’re considering administering an intravenous drip of magnesium, it’s vital to ensure any allergies to the substance before proceeding.
Calcium
Bones are essential for the body to function correctly. They provide strength and support for our bodies. But calcium is also required for muscle contraction and nerve function. Calcium is vital for heart function as well. Finally, this mineral is also crucial for blood clotting in case of injury or surgery so that any bleeding can be stopped quickly and safely.
Sodium
It is one of the electrolytes and minerals that help maintain water balance in the body. Sodium has several functions, including:
- Helping to regulate blood pressure and volume.
- Controlling muscle function.
If you don’t have enough sodium in your diet, you could experience symptoms like:
- Headaches or dizziness when rising from a lying position (due to decreased blood pressure).
Chloride
This mineral helps maintain the body’s electrolyte balance, keeps pH levels in your blood under check and supports muscle contractions. Chloride is used to treat dehydration, acidosis and alkalosis. It can also treat low blood pressure, hyponatremia (low sodium levels) and hypochloraemia (too much chloride in your blood).
Arginine
This is an amino acid that the body uses to make proteins. It is also one of the body’s primary sources of nitrogen, which helps build muscle mass and repair tissues.
Arginine is often used in IV therapy to boost someone’s immune system after being sick or injured. It can be given as a nutritional supplement when people are unable to eat food properly and used as a treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections (like MRSA).
Glutamine and alanine
These are amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. They are found in most foods, but some people may need extra help getting them from their diet. Glutamine is a natural fuel source for your body’s cells and helps preserve muscle mass. Alanine is used by your muscles as an energy source during exercise, helping to reduce lactic acid build-up after training sessions.
Glutamine also acts as a neurotransmitter and helps reduce the stress on your immune system, so it’s instrumental if you’re recovering from an illness or injury (or Crohn’s disease).
Growth Hormone
This hormone produced by the pituitary gland, which sits at the base of your brain, regulates how your bodies grow and mature.
In children with a growth hormone deficiency, growth hormones are not produced sufficiently to support their normal development. Adults with this condition can have short stature and weakness due to low muscle mass. Growth hormone deficiency can also occur after surgical removal of the pituitary gland (hypopituitarism). This happens when there isn’t enough growth hormone being made by the remaining parts of your body’s endocrine system that control other hormones like thyroid or adrenal cortex hormones like cortisol (a stress response hormone).
Melatonin
This hormone helps regulate the sleep cycle. It’s often used to treat insomnia and other sleep disorders like jet lag. It can also be used to treat depression and Alzheimer’s disease.
