Intravenous, or IV, fluids are used to treat people of all ages who are sick, injured, dehydrated, or are undergoing surgery. Rehydration is a common use for IV fluids, and in addition, they can be used to treat:

• Malnutrition by administering lost nutrients intravenously
• Infections using antibiotics
• Emergency situations where blood transfusions or medication may be needed
• The effects of excessive alcohol consumption

Crystalloid solutions are the most common types of IV fluid in use due to their cost-effectiveness and wide availability; of these the most commonly used is regular saline, a solution of sodium chloride at 0.9% concentration. It is estimated that more than 200 million liters of crystalloid solutions are administered each year in the U.S. alone and are the recommended first treatment option for fluid replacement in patients with common critical illnesses such as sepsis, hemorrhagic shock, and cardiac arrest.

Crystalloid solutions contain water-soluble electrolytes that are able to pass easily from the bloodstream to the cells and tissues. There are three types of solution with varying levels of tonicity (the ability to cause water to move through cell membranes via osmosis) and because of this, they are tailored for use in different situations.

The three types of crystalloid solutions are:

• Hypotonic: When the fluid outside the cells has a lower sodium chloride concentration (in the case of saline) than the fluid in the cells; water will flow from outside the cells to inside. Examples of hypotonic solutions are lactated Ringer’s (also known as Ringer’s lactate) and Ringer’s acetate and are commonly used in patients who have suffered significant burns.

• Hypertonic: When the fluid outside the cells has a higher sodium chloride concentration (in the case of saline) than the fluid in the cells causing water to flow out of the cells.

• Isotonic: Both the extracellular and intracellular fluids have the same concentrations, so there is no movement of water between them

There are several reasons why patients might need IV fluids, and treatment for some conditions relies on the solutions being delivered intravenously such as:

• Rehydration following illness or overexertion
• Treatment of infection using antibiotics
• Cancer treatment through chemotherapy drugs
• Management of pain using certain medications

Solutions for these treatments consist of water with added electrolytes, sugar, or medication, the quantities of which are based on the individual patient’s need.

An IV solution of vitamins and minerals was developed as a hangover cure in the1960s, and IV therapy is also used to counteract the effects of excessive alcohol consumption by replacing lost electrolytes and vitamins.

IV fluids can be used to help elderly patients who may be prone to dehydration due to decreased kidney function, certain medications, or simply forgetting to drink enough fluids as their cognitive ability declines. The chronically ill are also often treated with IV fluids if they are not able to eat or drink on their own.

The three main indications for IV fluid therapy are resuscitation, replacement, and maintenance. 

• Resuscitation fluids are used to replace fluids lost through diarrhea or vomiting and in some cases heatstroke.
• Replacement solutions are used to replace lost fluids when drinking alone is not enough.
• Maintenance solutions are used for patients who are otherwise stable but can’t or are not allowed to, drink in order to meet their daily requirements of water and electrolytes. 

If you would like to know more about IV hydration treatment at Florida MedCare Clinic and Urgent Care contact us today! We know that many people may be anxious about the needle, but don’t let that put you off! Our board-certified physicians will ensure that the initial discomfort from the needle is over in a flash so that you can receive all the benefits of an IV treatment with none of the worry! We serve patients from Celebration FL, Campbell FL, Four Corners FL, Bay Lake FL, Williamsburg FL, Hunters Creek FL, and Loughman FL.