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The iv lounge

Part I: Understanding IV Fluids from our IV Therapy Toronto Lounge

POSTED BY TORONTO FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CENTRE

Have you ever wondered what’s exactly in your IV therapy in Toronto? 

Our functional medicine team is dedicated to educating patients about beneficial ingredients for IV drip treatments. This includes understanding what IV fluids are and how they’re administered in the human body to address chief health concerns. 

Here, learn what these fluids are and how they’re administered for vitamin IV therapy.

Why IV fluids are used

IV fluids are commonly used in clinical settings to prevent or treat dehydration, and they’re administered directly into the bloodstream through a vein. They’re formulated with a specific balance of electrolytes and vital nutrients to help restore and maintain fluid balance in the body. 

Fluids for IV vitamin drips offer a full absorption of nutrients and may be recommended for patients with malabsorption. This is because fluids for intravenous drips do not require use of the digestive tract. Depending on the ingredients used, this type of treatment allows patients to not experience unwanted side effects that may occur from oral supplements (i.e. stomach cramping). 

IV fluids are used in a wide range of medical situations, including in patients who are sick, injured, or undergoing surgery, as well as in athletes who may become dehydrated due to intense athletic performance/exercise or hot weather. IV nutrient therapy fluids are generally considered safe, and the risk of complications is low when administered correctly.

IV therapy may be offered for hydration purposes. Intravenous rehydration is a simple procedure that can help restore fluid balance and prevent dehydration-related complications. It is typically performed in a hospital or clinic by a trained health care provider. The specific type and therapeutic doses of IV fluids will depend on the patient’s needs and medical condition.

How IV fluids are tailored for health conditions

To most patients, IV bags can look similar – but they can have different chemical compositions and serve different purposes depending on the patient’s needs. The type and amount of IV fluid prescribed can be customized based on various factors and core components, including the patient’s age, weight, underlying medical condition (i.e. nutritional deficiency), and any ongoing treatments or medications.

For example, a patient with dehydration from vomiting or diarrhea may need a solution with electrolytes such as sodium and potassium, while a patient with low blood sugar levels may require a dextrose solution to increase glucose levels. Additionally, some patients with a chronic illness may require long-term IV therapy, which may involve specific medications or nutritional supplements delivered through the IV route.

Brief guide to IV fluid categories

IV fluids can be classified as isotonic, hypotonic, or hypertonic, based on their tonicity or concentration of dissolved particles (such as electrolytes or glucose), which are calculated in comparison to your body’s intracellular solute concentration. For IV therapy/functional medicine practitioners, this is imperative to know because each category may have a special function for your health goals. We summarize these categories below: 

  • Isotonic IV fluids have the same concentration of dissolved particles as the intracellular solute concentration, and they don’t cause any significant changes in the distribution of fluids or electrolytes in the body. These fluids are commonly used to maintain fluid balance and replace lost fluids in cases of dehydration or surgery. 
  • Hypotonic IV fluids have a lower solute concentration of dissolved particles in comparison to the inside the body’s cells, and they tend to shift fluids and electrolytes from the bloodstream into the cells. These fluids are often used to rehydrate patients with cellular dehydration, such as in cases of diabetic ketoacidosis. 
  • Hypertonic IV fluids contain a higher concentration of dissolved particles than the inside of the body’s cell; they tend to draw fluids and electrolytes from the cells into the bloodstream. These fluids are often used to correct electrolyte imbalances or increase blood volume in cases of hypovolemia or shock. 

IV therapy is an important tool for restoring and maintaining body fluid balance in a wide range of health situations. An IV therapy provider must have a thorough understanding of the physiology of body fluid balance, as well as the principles and aims of IV therapy to provide safe care.

What else should you know about IV fluids? Stay tuned for Part II, where we uncover saline solutions, dextrose, and more! In the meantime, learn about our vitamin IV lounge and the types of intravenous infusion drips we carry. 

The Toronto Functional Medicine Centre’s IV Lounge

In our clinic, we adhere to the integrative functional medicine approach. By considering your medical/family history, lifestyle and environmental surroundings, and lab tests, we offer a personalized service of health care. This includes tailoring your IV therapy drips in line with your wellness needs and integrative functional medicine. 

Our IV vitamin infusions may act as adjunct support for a treatment plan and to encourage optimal health. Selenium in IV therapy, for example, may be used for patients to support immune system function and fight oxidative stress. When combined with a healthy lifestyle and oral supplements, these drips could contribute to optimal function. They may be adapted to health concerns related to: tissue repair, athletic recovery, fertility, blood pressure regulation, immune function, lack of energy/chronic fatigue, mineral deficiencies, cellular health, skin elasticity/anti-aging effects, brain function, functioning of nerves, whole-body inflammation, acute illness, viral illness and more. 

Each intravenous therapy session is monitored by our medical doctor, naturopathic doctor or nurse practitioner – safety matters, and we only use natural ingredients! Our vitamin IV Lounge carries a mixture of vitamins and other nutrients, as well as antioxidants that contain anti-inflammatory components. Please ask us about our assortment of nutrient drips, which include vitamin A, vitamin E, folic acid, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), a medley of amino acids, glutamic acid, glutathione, major antioxidants, NAD+ IV therapy, and other key nutrients.  

When lifestyle modifications, functional medicine, and IV therapy in Toronto are combined, they could lead to a metabolism boost, much-needed energy, and other beneficial effects! Call (416) 968-6961 to book your initial consultation. 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website.

 

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