IV therapy is a broad category of medical treatment that involves the intravenous administration of nutrients and supplements. There are several reasons that a person might need IV therapy. In addition, some people choose to seek IV therapy as an alternative treatment to address fatigue and other issues. But if you’re planning to have regular treatments, you might be wondering: Can I give myself IV therapy? There are benefits to administering IV therapy yourself, especially if you need it to manage a medical condition. It can save you a lot of time, since you don’t have to commute to appointments at a clinic. That’s especially true for people who need IV therapy one or more times per week. In addition, administering IV therapy at home might be more comfortable. You can do it while sitting on your couch watching your favorite TV show or curling up with a book. You have the ability to create the exact environment that reduces your stress the most.
However, not everyone will want to give themselves IV therapy. It might seem like a daunting task, especially if you don’t have a medical background. You should never administer at-home IV therapy without being explicitly instructed by your doctor. The professionals at IV therapy clinics can show you how to administer your own treatments and answer questions about the process. In addition to evaluating your health history and personal circumstances, the experts will do an assessment of your living space. This is to make sure that your home has a clean space where you can safely administer your own treatment. Some people choose to have one of their friends or family members do the treatment instead, since it’s easier with two hands free. In this case, your healthcare professional can also teach them about the steps involved. Intravenous therapy allows nutrients to bypass the digestive system. Instead of taking vitamins orally, they flow from a catheter into a vein in your arm. You gain the benefits of the nutrients right away without needing to worry about digestive issues decreasing your absorption. If you aren’t comfortable doing IV therapy at home, you can also go to a clinic to have your infusions done.
All About At-Home IV Therapy
There are a few different kinds of IV setups that you might use. The three most common are:
- IV inserted normally into a vein
- PICC line
- Port catheter
The one you need will depend on the condition you’re treating and the intensity of the treatment. Your specialist will explain exactly how to safely administer your treatments based on what type of IV you have. Though IV infusions are sometimes used as alternative medicine – such as the popular “hangover cure” – people will benefit more from at-home IV therapy if they have a diagnosed medical need. Some people may need nutritional supplements because their digestive systems are unable to process enough of certain vitamins and minerals. Conditions like cystic fibrosis can affect the body’s ability to digest and use vitamins. IV treatment may also be necessary for managing chronic pain or ongoing pain while healing from surgery. Another common reason for at-home IV therapy is antibiotics.
Antibiotics are prescribed to help fight infections. Not all antibiotics can be taken orally. When an infection has become resistant to certain antibiotics or has progressed to a certain point, IV antibiotics become a better choice. In addition, certain types of antibiotics have better effects through IV treatment, even if oral antibiotics haven’t been tried yet. IV therapy might be used to treat certain hormonal deficiencies as well. The exact deficiency and treatment will vary from case to case. As long as you have been taught how to safely administer your own treatment, there is no reason not to give yourself IV therapy.
It is an effective means of treating medical conditions without needing to leave the comfort of your home. You should be aware of the warning signs that something is amiss. If you notice any of the following, talk to your nurse or doctor immediately:
- Symptoms of infection like fever, redness, pain, and swelling
- A swollen vein or swelling around the IV needle
- The needle falling out unexpectedly
- Bleeding around the needle or through the catheter
These symptoms should be addressed right away to avoid potential complications. To talk about your IV therapy treatment options, give us a call at 205-352-9141.