Could IV Therapy Help Keep You Healthier?

These days, people are looking for all sorts of ways to boost their health, look younger and feel better. From cryotherapy to float spas, wellness trends are popping up across the country. One of the newer options is intravenous therapy. This treatment method involves inserting an IV into a patient’s vein and pumping fluids into the bloodstream. These fluids contain minerals, vitamins and essential nutrients that replenish and hydrate the body.

IV therapy typically delivers results faster than oral administration. Within an hour, most patients will begin to feel the IV drip’s results. Depending on the treatment, they may continue to enjoy these effects for a few days after the session.

There are several ways IV therapy can keep you healthier and improve your quality of life.

1. Hangover Relief

Whether you had a little too much fun Friday night or accidentally drank a whole bottle of wine binging Netflix, odds are you’ve experienced a hangover at least once in your life. Symptoms include headaches, gastrointestinal irritation and poor sleep, which are a result of dehydration and inflammation of internal organs.

You can fast track recovery and find relief with IV therapy. Hangover-specific therapies contain electrolytes, vitamins and anti-nausea medication to rehydrate your body and relieve symptoms.

2. Hair and Skin Health

Unlike topical treatments like lotions and serums, IV therapy can enhance beauty from the inside out. Typically, the fluid contains antioxidants that cleanse cells of free radicals that contribute to tissue damage, wrinkles and other signs of aging.

In addition to slowing the aging process, IV therapy also promotes healthy hair and nails. An infusion of vitamins and minerals strengthens and hydrates hair, eyes, skin and nails. Plus, it restores hydration and vital nutrients to give you a youthful glow you may not get just by drinking water.

3. Athletic Performance

Athletes need hydration after a workout to decrease muscle soreness, repair tissue damage and aid in recovery so they can return to the gym the following day. Thus, many athletes rely on an IV formula containing amino acids to decrease muscle loss and prevent the buildup of free radicals.

Many athletic recovery IV therapies also include saline and electrolytes to regulate the balance of fluids in the body and replenish salt lost through sweat. Saline also helps your body absorb other nutrients and vitamins in your IV therapy so you can recover quicker and perform better.

4. Addiction Recovery

In 2017 alone, 19.7 million Americans over age 12 were battling a substance abuse disorder. Whether they abuse cocaine, heroin, prescription drugs or alcohol, addicts across the nation are looking for ways to overcome their dependence on these substances.

While cognitive and behavioral therapies may effectively treat addiction, IV therapy may also aid in recovery and complement a full recovery program. Most therapists will administer nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide treatments to those battling substance abuse. This natural enzyme helps reduce withdrawal symptoms, detoxify the body of free radicals, repair neurotransmitters and restore cognitive function to help them recover quicker and more fully.

5. Immune System Support

IV drip therapy can also improve immune health. Most formulas contain a blend of minerals, antioxidants and vitamins like A, C and E, which support proper immune system function and prevent you from feeling or becoming sick. In case of an infection, you can also receive antibiotics through IV therapy.

The hydration that IV therapies provide can also help maintain a healthy immune system. By pumping water into your body, you can detoxify pathways, increase lymphatic drainage and clean out waste. Plus, you’ll add more water to your bloodstream, which is responsible for transporting nutrients to each organ to ward off illnesses and keep them healthy.

6. Pregnancy Symptom Alleviation

During pregnancy, the female body undergoes massive changes and tremendous amounts of stress. As a result, many suffer from morning sickness, which causes an upset stomach and vomiting during the earlier stages of pregnancy. These symptoms can disrupt daily life and distract women from eating or drinking water to stay hydrated.

Fortunately, IV therapy can minimize these unpleasant side effects and replenish vitamins, electrolytes and fluids to help both mother and child. Some treatments may even contain medications to manage nausea, vomiting and inflammation.

7. Weight Loss Aid

Taking the time to focus on your health and hydrate your body with IV therapy may remind you of your fitness goals and motivate you to get back in the gym. However, some people want a more noticeable motivation boost. Thus, many therapy locations offer special IV formulas to accelerate calorie burn, allowing patients to see results faster.

These formulations often contain lipotropics, which are fat-burning compounds that help the liver process fats more efficiently and naturally. Amino acids like methionine, inositol and choline also promote the natural breakdown of fats to help patients shed and keep off weight. These therapies are generally more effective when you pair them with a healthy diet and exercise regimen.

Investing In Your Health

IV therapy can be beneficial for many people depending on their physical and mental health. However, all medical treatments come with a price, and IV therapy is no exception. Most insurance policies don’t cover intravenous vitamin therapy, which means patients must pay out of pocket. Depending on the size and type of treatment, packages can cost a few hundred dollars, and the effects only last for up to a few days.

Thus, while IV therapy may temporarily boost your health, they can’t replace a healthy lifestyle. If you truly want to feel your best, eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly. Doing so may take more time and willpower, but the benefits will be worth it.