The Role of IV Solutions in Hydration Therapy
In hospitalized patients, fluid and electrolyte imbalance is common. This can either be because of their disease state or the medications which may also cause an altered homeostatic state. As a result, the levels of necessary electrolytes, minerals, as well as water in the bloodstream fall. For their replenishment, hydration therapy is given. Being a method based on the infusion of IV solutions in hydration therapy, the technique works in many ways, especially in patients dealing with chronic disorders.
The employment of IV solutions in hydration therapy is extensive
In this article, let us evaluate the benefits of IV solutions in hydration therapy in terms of the management of acute and chronic medical conditions.
What is Hydration Therapy?
Hydration therapy is a procedure in which the depleted electrolytes in the body are replenished by administering IV solutions. The technique is particularly helpful in cases when the patient is unable to drink water such as because of being unconscious or after a major gut surgery, etc. IV hydration therapy is also termed intravenous rehydration as it is extremely useful for the management of severe dehydration.
IV Fluids for Rehydration
IV solutions in hydration therapy are the ideal choice because of are rich in salts, minerals, and electrolytes. In addition, vitamins as well as other nutrients can also be added into IV solutions. Therefore, owing to their composition, these solutions help restore the body’s electrolyte balance.
Once the electrolyte concentration in the blood becomes normal, it automatically restricts the excretion of water. This way, more water is kept inside the body which causes the body to rehydrate.
How is IV Therapy for Hydration Conducted?
For the injection of IV solutions in hydration therapy, the needle of the drip set is inserted in the vein and the IV solution is administered at a controlled rate over the specified time. It is a 15 to 45-minute long procedure which is simple to conduct and the patient remains comfortable.
IV solutions are administered in almost 80% to 90% of the hospitalized patients
Who Needs an IV Fluid for Hydration Therapy?
Hydration IV therapy is particularly helpful for the management of the following conditions:
Dehydration
Acute or chronic illnesses along with limited fluid intake often push the patients towards a dehydrated state. In this condition, the body not only has less water but an electrolyte imbalance is also significant. Therefore, IV solutions in hydration therapy can replenish both and provide the body with the necessary hydration. If you have the following symptoms, the chances are that your body is dehydrated and needs management:
- Dry mouth
- Weakness
- Thirst
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Concentrated urine with a dark yellow color
- Decreased urinary output i.e. less volume of urine
Digestive Problems
Issues of the digestive tract such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting also tend to decrease the water level in the body. All of these conditions are associated with fluid and electrolyte loss which needs to be managed. At the initial stages, the use of oral rehydrating solutions (ORS) can do the job but if the condition worsens, IV fluids for hydration therapy need to be done.
Migraines
When a person is dehydrated, the risk of headaches is elevated. Similarly, such individuals are also more prone to having migraine episodes. By replenishing electrolytes and water through IV solutions in hydration therapy, acute migraine attacks can be managed.
Infections
IV hydration therapy provides a number of benefits for patients who have infectious diseases. For instance, these provide necessary nutrients to the body and can also deliver medications if needed. With proper hydration, the body becomes able to effectively fight the pathogens and heal itself faster. As the drugs reach the body quickly when given via intravenous route, the recovery period becomes short.
The administration of IV solutions in hydration therapy is the best option during the following conditions:
IV solutions can also provide rejuvenation and nutrients for wellbeing
Importance of IV Hydration in Chronic Conditions
In addition to the above-mentioned conditions, IV hydration therapy also finds applications in the management of chronic disease conditions. This works in the following way:
IV Hydration Therapy and Kidney Disorders
Our kidneys have a job to regulate the levels of electrolytes as well as water in the bloodstream. These keep the concentration of every ion in check by maintaining a delicate balance. All of this is done by producing either concentrated or dilute urine along with deciding which electrolytes to keep and which ones to excrete.
However, when a person has dysfunctional kidneys due to kidney failure, the electrolyte balance of the body is disturbed. As a result, the body gets depleted of the minerals and ions it requires for proper functioning. To address the problem, healthcare providers administered IV fluids to such patients. This IV hydration therapy provides the body with necessary electrolytes as well as clean water which is free from urea and other metabolic waste materials.
Another role the IV hydration therapy plays is that it increases the blood supply to the kidneys. This way, the kidneys get more oxygen and nutrients to keep the kidney cells called nephrons alive. This also increases the glomerular filtration rate, often called GFR, which means more blood is filtered through the kidneys and urine is produced thus removing waste from the body.
Despite its effectiveness in patients with kidney disorders, IV hydration therapy can increase the damage to the kidneys if the levels of electrolytes in the solution for IV treatment are miscalculated. Therefore, care needs to be taken during the process.
IV Hydration Therapy in Heart Failure
In addition to kidney disorders, IV hydration therapy is also employed during heart failure. The purpose of such an approach is to achieve the following benefits:
Maintenance of Blood Volume
IV hydration therapy rehydrates the body by providing the necessary electrolytes as well as water which maintains the blood volume.
Cardiac Decongestion
The overall cardiac performance is also improved by giving IV hydration therapy as it reduces the pressure on the heart and helps decongest.
Increased Urine Output
IV solutions in hydration therapy also increase urine output which releases more water out of the body. As a result, blood volume is lowered and hypertension is relieved.
Management of Edema
Swelling in the body is often associated with heart failure. This happens because of poor blood circulation which leads to edema, a state in which water moves from the blood to the tissues causing swelling and puffiness. The use of IV solutions in hydration therapy manages the condition by allowing this water to come out of the tissues and get excreted.
IV hydration therapy provides the moist environment in the tissues necessary during surgery
Types of IV Solutions at Health Supply 770: Features and Specifications
IV solutions in hydration therapy are administered for the purpose of rehydrating the body as well as to fulfill the needs of electrolytes which often go into imbalance whenever a person is battling with a disease.
Keeping in view the extensive applications of IV solutions in hydration therapy for the management of a number of medical conditions, several manufacturers market intravenous fluids. Some of these intravenous fluids are available at Health Supply 770 and have been detailed below along with their features and purchase links:
B. Braun L8000 Replacement Preparation Sodium Chloride, Preservative Free 0.9% IV Solution Flexible Bag 1,000 mL 12 EA/CA
US$529.88
Product Details
Braun L8000 replacement preparation is an IV solution that is composed of 0.9% sodium chloride in sterile water for injection as its vehicle. Because of its percentage strength, it is often called normal saline because it matches the salinity of our blood.
The product is manufactured without the addition of any preservatives as well as additives followed by packaging. In this regard, the plastic-based packaging material used is flexible and non-toxic. Normal saline can be either administered on its own or can carry medications as well as nutrients. Moreover, the role of these IV solutions in hydration therapy is also significant owing to their replenishment properties.
B. Braun L5101 Dextrose Water 5% IV Solution Flexible Bag 500 mL CS/24
US$377.88
Product Details
Braun L5101 dextrose water 5% IV solution (D5W) is a caloric IV preparation that is administered for the purpose of giving some energy to the patient’s body. This is due to the presence of dextrose (another name for glucose) which can be metabolized and used by the body. Each 1000 ml of the B. Braun L5101 dextrose water 5% IV solution contains 5 grams of dextrose.
The packaging material of the product is safe to carry IV solutions as it does not leach out contents into the products. As a result, there is no associated risk of irritation. B. Braun L5101 dextrose water 5% IV solutions in hydration therapy are particularly employed for patients who have extremely low blood sugar. In addition, these products are also useful for managing dehydration.
B. Braun L7500: Lactated Ringer’s Solution IV 1000 mL CS/12
US$533.33
Product Details
Braun L7500 lactated Ringer’s solution is used for several medical conditions. It is formulated with a combination of sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and sodium lactate in sterile water for injection. The product is completely sterile and provides a number of electrolytes to the patients. The B. Braun L7500 lactated Ringer’s solution can also provide hydration therapy.
Ringer’s lactate solution finds applications in gynecological procedures as it helps dilate uterine muscles. Moreover, these IV solutions in hydration therapy are also useful for the management of dehydration as they act as an electrolyte replenisher. Patients with trauma or burns also require lactated Ringer’s solution. Overall, the product is not only extremely useful but also has vast applications in different medical conditions.
Grifols 729620 IV Injection Solution Sodium Chloride 0.9% 500mL Bag 20 EA/CS
US$579.88
Product Details
Grifols 729620 IV injection solution is composed of sodium chloride in sterile water for injection in a percentage concentration of 0.9%. The use of these IV solutions in hydration therapy is common and they come in fully sterile packaging without any kind of added preservatives.
The product comes in a non-PVC based flexible packaging which is safe to be used for medical supplies. In addition, the company also ensures the absence of Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate or DEHP in the packets which is a toxic chemical substance often found in plastics.
Moreover, neither the product nor the packaging has natural rubber latex in it which makes it safe for use even in individuals who have sensitive skin. Hence, the employment of IV solutions in hydration therapy does not pose any risk to the patients.
*Note: The prices mentioned in the article are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. They may vary over time.
Hydration therapy is essential for patients with kidney and heart failure
The different types of IV solutions in hydration therapy mentioned in the article, along with many other medical supplies, can be ordered from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the link given in the article to check out the wide range of IV solutions.
Bottom Line
Hydration therapy is a method of administering IV solutions into the body to relieve certain health conditions. In this technique, the water and electrolytes are provided to the blood which replenishes the lost minerals and thus helps in rehydration.
These are of particular importance for the management of dehydration, burns, traumatic injuries, migraines, digestive issues, as well as chronic illnesses of severe nature such as kidney and cardiac failure.
Considering their importance, it is best to stock IV solutions to meet the extensive needs of the patients. Therefore, for purchasing the different types of useful IV solutions in hydration therapy, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.
PhD Scholar (Pharmaceutics), MPhil (Pharmaceutics), Pharm D, B. Sc.
Uzma Zafar is a dedicated and highly motivated pharmaceutical professional currently pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutics at the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab. With a comprehensive academic and research background, Uzma has consistently excelled in her studies, securing first division throughout her educational journey.
Uzma’s passion for the pharmaceutical field is evident from her active engagement during her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, where she not only mastered industrial techniques and clinical case studies but also delved into marketing strategies and management skills.
