The simple answer is that IV fluids hydrate you faster and better than drinking water, that's why over 60% of people who come through hospital emergency rooms are treated with IV. But…
Of course, with IV fluids you begin to be hydrated immediately. The fluids go directly into your blood stream, increasing your body's fluid volume right away.
Several studies have shown that rehydration is more rapid with IV fluid. However, the benefits are generally transient and only small differences to markers of hydration status are seen when comparing IV and oral rehydration.
In general, you can expect any fluids from an IV drip infusion to remain in your body for a couple hours after absorption. If you are well hydrated and haven't urinated recently, you may pass some fluids more quickly than if the reverse is true (keeping in mind most people are dehydrated and many do not even know it).
In those situations where IV therapy is utilized to promote your overall wellness, one infusion every two weeks is both ideal and adequate for most people since nutrient levels are elevated for a couple of weeks following an infusion.
If you simply haven't drunk as much water as you should or you've had a few drinks too many, you might not need IV hydration. But if you're exhausted after a physical activity or you can't keep fluids down, IV therapy is probably a good idea.
Normal sterile saline is regarded as the most appropriate and preferred cleansing solution because it is a nontoxic, isotonic solution that does not damage healing tissues. Tap water is commonly used and is therefore of interest as a cleansing solution.
Hydration IV therapy flushes your body with clean fluids and helps improve the functioning of your vital organs. IV therapy allows your liver and kidneys to do their jobs more efficiently. Your kidneys and liver work to filter out toxins in your body and then eliminate those toxins.
Research shows that milk is one of the best beverages for hydration, even better than water or sports drinks. Researchers credit milk's natural electrolytes, carbohydrates, and protein for its effectiveness.
Just one stick of Hydration Multiplier in 16 oz. of water provides the same hydration as (and is more effective than) drinking 2-3 bottles of water! When compared to traditional sports drinks, Liquid IV also packs 3x more electrolytes and 5 essential vitamins.
"More concerningly, an improperly administered IV drip can come with fairly serious complications, such as clotting, inflammation, a bloodstream infection and electrolyte imbalance," warns Dr. Septimus.
If you're dehydrated, you may feel sleepy after receiving IV fluids. This is because IV fluids help to rehydrate your body and can also contain medications that can make you drowsy.
You may wonder how many IV bags you need: it depends on your body size. Plan on two tablespoons (30 mL) per 2.2 pounds of body weight (or 1 kg). Plan on the administration to take about an hour. For a 130-pound woman, that would be about two-liter bags of treatment for complete dehydration therapy.
The simplest approach is to replace dehydration losses with 0.9% saline. This ensures that the administered fluid remains in the extracellular (intravascular) compartment, where it will do the most good to support blood pressure and peripheral perfusion.
IV fluids generally remain in your body for a couple of hours after absorption. That said, the nutrients and minerals present in the fluids may remain in your body for days, weeks, or even months. This significantly depends on your body's needs and the type of IV infusion you receive.
Approximately 30,000-35,000 people in the U.S. rely solely on intravenous fluids (IV) to meet their caloric and nutritional needs. It's not a diet trend by any means. It is a prescribed treatment for people with certain illnesses to get the essential nutrition they need.
IV fluids are specially formulated liquids that are injected into a vein to prevent or treat dehydration. They are used in people of all ages who are sick, injured, dehydrated from exercise or heat, or undergoing surgery. Intravenous rehydration is a simple, safe and common procedure with a low risk of complications.
We recommend one serving per day for healthy adults and children over the age of 4.
The takeaway
Although IV drips are low risk for most healthy people, medical experts generally recommend against them — mostly because they're expensive and unnecessary.
Sports drinks have a lot of extras you don't need.
So, while the electrolytes may help with recovery, that sugar and sodium are going to do more harm than good. With IV Hydration, you only get what you need, delivered directly into your body. So no sugars, no salt, and no extra calories.
Generally, you'll want your IV therapy sessions to happen one to two times a week or at least once every two weeks. If you're taking IV therapy for specific ailments, maintain the routine your doctor lays out for you.
IV therapy is an excellent option for people with stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, insomnia, migraines or muscle tension. In conjunction with other medical interventions, IV therapy can help alleviate some anxiety symptoms, while supporting your physical and mental well-being.