You may think that intravenous (IV) therapy is a recent invention, but the basic idea of using veins to introduce fluids into the body has been around since the 1660s, when we have the first record of an attempted blood transfusion.
The trauma that defined the two world wars in the 20th century necessitated the development of modern IV therapy; however, the greatest advances in equipment, medication, and technique have occurred in just the past 25 years.
Board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Aleksander J. Bodnar of Viva Health in Clifton and Clark, New Jersey, offers many types of IV therapy. From basic hydration to an energy boost to help for a sagging libido, he improves his patients’ overall health and well-being.
Basic IV fluid infusion
At their most fundamental level, IV infusions treat or prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. The human body is composed of about 60% water, and you can become seriously dehydrated when you:
- Vomit
- Have diarrhea
- Exercise strenuously without hydrating
- Spend time in the sun without hydrating
- Have a serious injury or suffer burns
Doctors use IVs to quickly and effectively deliver essential hydration to the body. There are two basic types of intravenous infusions:
1. Crystalloid solutions
Crystalloids are the most common type of IV solution. They contain small, dissolved molecules that move easily from the bloodstream into the body’s tissues. These include normal saline, simply salt in water, and D5W, which contains the sugar dextrose in water.
Lactated Ringer’s is also common. It’s composed of sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, and lactate and offers aggressive fluid replacement.
2. Colloids
These solutions contain large molecules that don’t readily pass through cell membranes, such as albumin and hetastarch.
The value of using an IV infusion is that it bypasses the digestive tract. Digestion not only slows down nutrient absorption but also breaks down many substances before the body can use them, rendering them less effective.
Development of the Myers’ cocktail
In the 1960s, Dr. John Myers, a Baltimore physician, pioneered the use of IV-administered vitamins and minerals as part of a patient’s overall treatment. In 2002, Dr. Alan R. Gaby documented and published Myers’ treatment, naming it the Myers’ cocktail.
Both doctors used the cocktail to treat a wide range of conditions, including migraine, chronic fatigue, acute muscle spasm, fibromyalgia, upper respiratory tract infections, depression, seasonal allergic rhinitis, and cardiovascular disease.
The modified Myers’ cocktail that doctors use today contains magnesium, calcium, B vitamins, and vitamin C. Providers add to Myers’ recipe to target their patients’ specific conditions.
Boosting your health with IV therapy
IV therapy sports many benefits. These include:
- Treats a wide range of conditions
- Provides a quick way to give your body a boost of energy
- Takes only 20-60 minutes per treatment
- Requires no downtime
- Can be tailored to your needs
- Can be done as often as you need it
Dr. Bodnar also uses IV therapy to help boost your libido and improve your sex life, important parts of your overall wellness.
IV therapy and your sex life
Aging and stress can dampen your libido, but IV therapy enhances your performance on a cellular level. The antioxidants, B vitamins, vitamin C, and amino acids all work to improve your sexual health.
B complex vitamins improve blood flow — important for achieving an erection and enjoying heightened sensation. They also boost energy levels and lower stress. Vitamin C helps make sex hormones, including androgen, estrogen, and progesterone, critical to a healthy sex life.
For men, Dr. Bodnar adds carnitine to the IV, which improves blood flow and increases sperm production. And adding taurine can help increase testosterone levels and boost overall mood.
Are you feeling run-down or listless and looking for a way to boost your health? Then IV therapy might be right for you. Call Viva Health at either location to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Bodnar, or book your appointment online.