IV Hydration

Is IV hydration the same as IV vitamin therapy?

IV hydration and IV vitamin therapy are both administered intravenously –– through a needle and into a vein –– but they aren’t the same thing.

IV vitamin therapy administers vitamins, minerals, and nutrients into your bloodstream for greater cell uptake. IV hydration, on the other hand, uses electrolyte solutions to treat severe dehydration or electrolyte imbalances. 

Who can benefit from IV hydration?

You might benefit from IV hydration at Xpress Med Urgent Care if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Dry, wrinkly, or blotchy skin
• Dizziness
• Dry eyes
• Fatigue
• Fast breathing
• Peeing less than four times daily
• Pee that’s dark yellow or strong smelling

It’s good to get checked out even if your symptoms are mild. Without treatment, dehydration worsens, increasing your risk of more serious health problems. 

What types of fluids are used during IV hydration?

The Xpress Med Urgent Care team uses several types of fluids for IV hydration, including the following:

Colloids

Colloids, like hetastarch and albumin, are large molecules that stay inside your blood vessels. Their bulky nature makes them less likely to pass through cells. 

Crystalloid solutions

These solutions are the most commonly used IV hydration fluid. They contain microscopic particles that easily flow through your bloodstream and pass into your tissues and cells. There are several types of crystalloid solutions, including saline (or saltwater) and lactated Ringer’s, which contain calcium, lactate, sodium, and potassium.

What happens during IV hydration?

IV hydration is an outpatient procedure that averages 45-90 minutes.

When you arrive at Xpress Med Urgent Care, your provider completes a physical exam, reviews your medical history, and orders blood work. They formulate an intravenous drip with specific nutrients if they determine that you have a fluid or electrolyte imbalance. 

Once the solution is ready, your provider transfers it to a plastic IV bag. The bag connects to a catheter that’s attached to a needle. Your provider carefully inserts the needle into a vein in your arm, and the IV solution enters your bloodstream, drip by drip. 

During treatment, your provider monitors the amount of fluid entering your body. They can speed up or slow down the drip if needed.

At the end of IV hydration therapy, your provider removes the needle, bandages your arm, and provides recovery instructions. 

Call Xpress Med Urgent Care today to schedule an IV hydration consultation, or book your appointment online.