Quality Life Services Home Health Care Blog

The fastest way to restore fluid and electrolyte balance is by intravenous (IV) drip infusions. People may receive IV therapy for pain relief or to improve their health by replenishing the body with fluids, minerals, and vitamins.

At Quality Life Services Home Health, we offer intravenous (IV) therapy for home health patients. This article will discuss why IV therapy is beneficial, how long these IV fluids stay in your system, and what you can do if infiltration occurs.

What Is IV Therapy?

IV therapy is a means of administering fluids and medication. The term “IV” stands for intravenous, meaning the fluid is delivered through the veins. The fluid containing vitamins, minerals, or drugs is administered into the vein through an IV drip or injection, allowing the therapy to flow swiftly through your system. 

Medication is usually delivered faster through an IV than via oral delivery. A healthcare professional, generally a nurse, administers IV therapy for various reasons, from dehydration to medical emergencies. The flu, morning sickness, and hangovers are among the conditions that may benefit from IV therapy.

How Does IV Therapy Work?

The administration of IV treatment is a straightforward process. The approach is consistent regardless of the sort of IV treatment you receive. The nurse will sterilize the injection site before inserting a needle into a vein. 

The IV is typically inserted in the arm but can be placed elsewhere. The arm is a popular insertion point since it is easily accessible. Furthermore, the arm is a low-risk entry route compared to others, such as the neck or thigh, and its proximity to the heart allows drugs to arrive faster.

After inserting the IV, a manual or electronic pump will administer the fluid into an IV bag. The nurse will assess the pump to ensure the correct delivery rate. The fluid drips from the bag into your bloodstream via the catheter. Avoid disturbing or dislodging the catheter.

IV Therapy Benefits

IV treatment can be beneficial for a variety of reasons. Two of the most significant benefits for anyone considering IV treatment are:

Convenience and ease:

If you’re sick, you generally don’t want to go to the hospital or your doctor’s office until it’s critical. IV treatment is a simple and convenient choice for many common ailments—you don’t even have to leave your house. The IV insertion is relatively painless, and you should experience little discomfort after it is inserted. While you watch TV, read, or work on your device, the IV drip will do its thing.

Health and well-being: 

IV treatment is commonly used to enhance health and wellness. Fluid, vitamin, and mineral infusions can help maintain a healthy immune system, promote healthy skin, and keep you hydrated. The optimal balance of minerals and vitamins in the body can also assist in boosting energy levels.

How Long Do IV Fluids Stay in Your System?

IV fluids often remain in the body for a few hours after absorption. However, the nutrients, minerals, and medication in the fluids may stay in your body for days, weeks, or even months. This is very dependent on your body’s requirements and the sort of IV infusion you receive. Several key aspects and biological processes influence the length of time IV fluid remains in your body. 

They are as follows:

• Hydration level

Your baseline hydration level determines the length of time your body retains fluid from an IV infusion. When you are well hydrated, your body excretes the extra IV fluids it does not require more rapidly. If you are dehydrated and have an IV fluid infusion, your body will retain most of the IV fluid.

• Illness

The length of time IV fluid stays in your body is affected by biological processes and illnesses. Dehydration occurs when a large amount of water is lost in a short period due to conditions such as renal failure, diarrhea, vomiting, and excessive perspiration. You may also get dehydrated if you take diuretic drugs.

When you are dehydrated and receive an IV fluid infusion, your body will retain most of the IV fluid since it only passes what it doesn’t require. The positive benefits of the fluid’s electrolytes and minerals last long after your body excretes it.

• Metabolic rate

Your basal metabolic rate (BMR) is simply the number of calories you burn while performing your body’s essential life-sustaining processes. The BMR of most Americans falls between 1400 and 2000. This indicates that they only need to consume 1400 to 2000 calories daily to sustain their body’s basic functions when at rest.

Your BMR  influences how quickly your body absorbs nutrients from fluids. It also affects how quickly extra fluids flow through your system. People with a high metabolic rate take nutrients from IV fluids more quickly. They also expel them more rapidly than people with low metabolic rates.

You may excrete IV fluids more slowly if you have a low metabolic rate due to old age or weight gain.

What Happens After IV Fluids Are Removed From Your Body?

IV treatment slowly supplies water, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, or other medications. The treatment typically only takes 45 minutes to an hour. However, the procedure may be quicker or longer, depending on the reason why you received IV treatment.

The effects typically take effect quickly but may take longer if you are dehydrated. The effects of the injection might last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Even after the IV fluids have left your body, the electrolytes and minerals in the fluid continue to benefit you.

Is it Possible to Retain Too Much Water After an IV Treatment?

Your body usually excretes extra fluids once it has taken what it requires. Too much IV fluid in your system might cause hypervolemia, especially if you have other underlying disorders. 

It should be noted, however, that hypervolemia can only occur during the infusion procedure. Following that, all extra fluids exit your body via natural metabolic processes.

How Long Does it Generally Take For Swelling to Subside?

Swelling happens when IV fluid escapes into the surrounding soft tissue from the vein (called infiltration). Inflammation, soreness around the IV site, and skin tightness are frequent symptoms of IV fluid leaking. The swelling should decrease within a couple of days if the site is not infected.

If you swell after receiving an IV fluid infusion, you can alleviate the swelling by:

• Elevating the IV site to the greatest possible extent. This helps the fluid disperse faster, minimizing swelling.
• Apply a cold or warm compress for 30 minutes every two to three hours following the infusion.
• If the IV fluid is vesicant (irritates the tissues), your doctor may advise you to take the medication within 24 hours after the infusion.

Is There a Difference Between Drinking Fluids and IV fluids?

IV fluids are retained and passed through your body differently from fluids obtained by ingesting. An IV drip infusion accomplishes the following tasks:

• It delivers water, critical nutrients, and medication straight to your circulation, allowing them to reach your organs and body cells easily.
• IV drip infusions, unlike drinking, do not push water through your digestive tract. This means you keep the nutrients and electrolytes that would otherwise be lost during digestion.

IV drip treatment can help with pain management, immune system support, and gut health enhancement. Although IV fluids are only in your body for a few hours, the effects continue long after the fluids are removed. They also provide a more efficient method of rehydrating.

IV Therapy in Cincinnati, Ohio

Quality Life Services Home Health (QLS) provides home health patients with specialized services such as intravenous (IV) therapy. We use highly skilled and caring private nurses who have received extensive training in infusion drug administration and line maintenance.

If you or a loved one requires home health care, you can reach us at (513) 860-1481. You may also request additional information by filling out this online form.