What is intravenous (IV) nutrient therapy?
IV nutrient therapy is a method of delivering nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other substances, directly into the blood stream. This is considered a parenteral therapy, meaning it bypasses the digestive tract. At Today Integrative Health + Wellness we believe this is a powerful tool for helping our patients recover from many ailments.
What diseases and conditions can benefit from this type of treatment?
• migraines
• muscle cramps and spasm
• high blood pressure
• nutritional deficiency due to Crohn’s, colitis, celiac disease, or other cause
• anemia
• Lyme disease
• cancer
• chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia
• adrenal fatigue
• infections (cold/flu, mononucleosis, herpes, pneumonia, hepatitis)
• athletic recovery and performance
• Parkinson’s disease
• many more!
What are the advantages of IV therapy?
Digestion and absorption are bypassed, allowing the fastest delivery of nutrients to target tissues and greater bioavailability. This is especially important for people with compromised digestion, gastrointestinal disease, and poor absorption. In addition, some nutrients are irritating to the gastrointestinal tract in large amounts, but can be safely and comfortably administered into blood. Patients undergoing IV therapy at Today Integrative Health + Wellness can expect to experience more energy, increase vitality, and improved immunity from their treatments.
What are the disadvantages of IV therapy?
Because it is a more invasive therapy, IV therapy does carry some risks. More common minor adverse reactions include infection, bruising, bleeding, scarring, and pain at the infusion site. Occasionally, fainting may occur. Severe allergic reaction is a rare consequence. Very rarely, circulatory overload or embolization, a blood clot or air bubble traveling to the lungs, can occur.
If your physician at Today Integrative Health + Wellness chooses IV nutrient therapy for you, it is because she or he believes that the medical advantages outweigh the risks. You can help minimize risk by telling your physician about any allergies and medical conditions that you have, and any adverse reactions you may have had to blood draws or prior IV therapy.
Is testing required before undergoing IV therapy?
Depending on your particular treatment, your physician may require you to undergo some screening blood work to ensure that IV therapy will be safe for you. These tests evaluate kidney and liver function. An additional test may be ordered to screen for a particular enzyme deficiency. The physicians at Today have received extensive training in this modality to make sure it is safe and effective for you!
What does IV therapy feel like?
We want you to feel as comfortable as possible during your treatment. Initially, as with any injection or blood draw, there may be minor and temporary pain associated with the needle. As the fluid mixture enters your vein you may feel some pressure, burning, or discomfort. These effects can be minimized by making small adjustments to the set-up or by slowing the infusion rate. Depending on what nutrients are being infused, you may also experience flushing, a feeling of warmth, and slight lightheadedness. Your Today Integrative Health + Wellness physician will do his or her very best to make sure you feel comfortable for the duration of your treatment. Please do not hesitate to call on one of your staff members if you feel uncomfortable.
How long does a treatment take?
Depending on the volume of fluid to be infused, your treatment may last anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours.
How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments depends on your particular medical concerns, but our protocols generally involve a series of several treatments every 1-2 weeks.
At Today Integrative Health + Wellness, we believe that IV nutrient therapy is a powerful therapy that can benefit many conditions. Ask one of our naturopathic physicians if he or she thinks that IV nutrient therapy is for you!
