Honolulu IV Therapy - Doctors of Waikiki

Intravenous therapy, also known as IV therapy, is a method of delivering fluid into the body. It involves using a syringe or infusion drip to introduce medications, blood products, and other treatments for various conditions. Dehydration is one condition commonly treated by IV therapy, and it’s a standard method for carrying out blood transfusions and administering chemotherapy drugs.

The patient needs a vascular access device (VAD) inserted to carry the fluids to the veins to receive intravenous therapy. Usually, that consists of a central venous catheter (CVC) or a peripheral vascular access device (PVAD). A CVC is a tube that carries and delivers the fluid slowly over some time. It is usually inserted into the arm or chest, through the skin, and into one of the large veins. A PVAD, also known as a cannula, is a plastic tubing that goes into a peripheral vein.

IV therapy has grown in popularity since its instructions in the 1960s. Most hospital patients receive some form of IV therapy during their stay. The move toward outpatient services instead of expensive inpatient stays encouraged the development of ways to administer IV therapy in the home or clinic setting, especially for chronic conditions. Cellulitis and urinary tract infections are two conditions commonly treated in the home with IV therapy that once would have required hospitalization.

An IV therapist is a medical professional, usually a licensed practical nurse or a registered nurse, specially trained to provide IV therapy. Most states require these medical professionals to obtain a certification in IV therapy and IV administration. They learn how to insert the needle, set up the IV, calculate the correct medication and IV fluid dosage, monitor the patient for allergic reactions, and ensure the IV doesn’t come out. Professionally trained IV therapists know how to deal with problems at the injection site and any emergencies that may arise.

While you may hear the terms used interchangeably, there are differences between the two. IV therapy introduces fluids and medications into the venous system. Infusion therapy involves introducing fluids using an infusion device. The IV solution may enter many parts of the body, including the membranes around the spine, the arteries, the bone marrow, the subcutaneous skin, or the veins.

The Myers Cocktail is a blend of vitamins administered through IV therapy at Doctors of Waikiki. The formula includes medical-grade nutrients fed to the body through an intravenous drip so they don’t go through the normal digestion pathways, diminishing the nutrition derived from food. Instead, the vitamins go directly into the blood and circulate to the organs. Each treatment center may administer a slightly different combination, but here are some of the vitamins and nutrition compounds commonly included in a Myers Cocktail:

• Magnesium chloride: supports the immune system, fights inflammation, and may help fight asthma, high blood pressure, and migraines
• B complex: helps fight stress and memory loss and contributes to healthier hair and skin
• Calcium gluconate: builds strong bones and helps improve calcium levels in the blood
• Vitamin C: an antioxidant with cancer-fighting properties

People choose the Myers Cocktail for many reasons. It is popular with people who travel frequently and those routinely exposed to germ-filled environments such as schools and hospitals. Athletes may get a Myers Cocktail before a big event to boost performance; some clients believe it helps with a hangover. Patients with cold symptoms may opt for a Myers Cocktail to ward off sickness.

When you arrive for your IV therapy session, a staff member will do a brief medical review with you. The medication is mixed onsite and administered via a syringe, usually into the forearm. The process takes anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes. Some patients report feeling a flush over the chest and body, a warm feeling, or a metallic taste. We recommend drinking plenty of water and eating before treatment to prevent dizziness or fainting. While the procedure can take place in various settings, the ideal environment is calm and relaxing.

The Myers Cocktail gives some patients a feeling of improved vision, more energy, tighter skin on the face, and overall health. A typical schedule for the process is one treatment each week for four weeks and then monthly or bimonthly. Your personalized frequency is something you work out with your doctor based on your symptoms and what you want to achieve.