Month: March 2022

You’re lethargic, get headaches at work, and find yourself tired and craving water. You may be experiencing symptoms of general fatigue, anxiety, or something else, but there are ways to get a fast burst of energy – namely, vitamin IV therapy. It may help you feel better, quicker than other treatments.

What is IV Vitamin Therapy?

Intravenous (IV) therapy is a delivery system that dispenses hydration, medicines, and, more recently, nutrients directly into someone’s vein. It happens when you’re hooked to an IV drip for mostly non-critical health benefits and as, some would say, a holistic treatment. IV vitamin therapy comprises a specific blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and electrolytes. The catheter, or line, is inserted into a vein in your arm or hand, and the procedure may take about an hour.

Types of conditions that benefit

People who need quick hydration may be prime candidates for IV vitamin therapy. Still, the procedure is gaining popularity for helping to foster better health and live a more balanced lifestyle. Research into its efficacy is ongoing, but many people use it to treat a variety of health-related issues, including:

• Asthma. Certain vitamins, when dispensed via IV, may significantly improve respiratory function and reduce the need for hospitalization in certain people.
• Inflammation. IV vitamin therapy may help to lower high C-reactive protein levels, an inflammation marker. 
• Certain vitamins dispensed via IV may also lower someone’s fatigue level.

Elite athletes, of course, swear by IV vitamin therapy, but it’s not just for rehydration following intense physical activity. The procedure may work for someone concerned about low energy, chronic pain relief, getting rid of a hangover, better immune system support, reducing cold and flu symptoms, and recovering faster from headaches or migraines.

Is there any danger?

IV vitamin therapy is primarily safe, with few side effects. However, side effects may happen because of antiseptic conditions or allergic reactions to some of the infusion ingredients. That’s why whoever administers the treatment should be aware of any allergies you may have before starting the procedure. Your skin may temporarily flush around your head, neck, and chest, and there may be visible but short-term redness or tenderness around the injection site.

Types of IV Vitamin Therapy

Many people interested in IV vitamin therapy invariably ask about the ingredients of the infusion liquid. Substances typically found in IV vitamin therapy may include the following: 

• Vitamin C – Studies have uncovered evidence of many benefits of IV vitamin C therapy. In some instances, it may help manage sepsis and cancer treatment,  as well as boost immunity and energy levels for people who aren’t sick. 
• Vitamin B complex and others in the group, including vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacinamide), vitamin B5 (dexpanthenol), and pyridoxine (vitamin B6). These vitamins are essential players in the function of hundreds of biological processes in the human body. 
• Vitamin B12, which also is known as cyanocobalamin. Another of many multi-functional vitamins, this one’s primary function is creating red blood cells. “Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen from your lungs to your body’s tissues. Your tissues produce energy with the oxygen and release a waste, identified as carbon dioxide.”
• Folic acid, which is also known as folate. Folic acid is similar to cyanocobalamin because it helps create red blood cells. 
• Everybody needs calcium. It’s one of the cornerstones for developing healthy and strong bones. Your heart, nerves, and muscles also require calcium to work properly. Some research proposes that calcium, plus vitamin D, may offer benefits apart from bone health – maybe as a defense against cancer, diabetes, and elevated blood pressure.
• Glutathione, is another antioxidant important for numerous processes in the human body.

Are there alternatives?

There are many alternatives to IV vitamin therapy. Some people have had success with ketamine therapy in treating low energy, anxiety, depression, and other conditions, while others loom for getting more vitamins and nutrients into their bodies naturally. This, of course, means adopting a healthy lifestyle – eating right, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and limiting caffeine and nicotine use. Try these vitamin-rich foods:

• Vitamin C: Red peppers, oranges, broccoli, strawberries, cabbage, potatoes, tomatoes.
• Vitamin B: Salmon, leafy greens, liver, eggs, milk, legumes, whole grains, meat, nuts.
• Vitamin D: Trout, salmon, tuna, mushrooms, beef, pork, chicken, turkey, and certain fortified foods.

Final thoughts

There are many kinds of IV vitamin therapy that you may benefit from, but if you’re having a discussion with your healthcare provider about ways to combat low energy, fatigue, and anxiety, ask whether ketamine therapy is a possible alternative. Leading a healthier lifestyle may be easier than you thought.

 

You spend hours a day at your computer, making the same motions with your hands over and over – often leading to stiffness and pain. But you’re getting older, so maybe that’s triggering the pain following hours of repetition. Or perhaps it’s rheumatoid arthritis, but fortunately, the symptoms can be treated.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

According to MedlinePlus, “Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a form of arthritis that causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in your joints. It can affect any joint but is common in the wrist and fingers.”

Women get it more often than women. RA usually begins during middle age and is widespread in older adults. It may only last a short time with occasional symptoms, but a more severe form could persist for a lifetime.

Facts About RA

• Rheumatoid arthritis harms more than 1.3 million people in the United States.
• It’s more than twice as likely in women as in men.
• There are more than 200,000 cases reported in the U.S. every year. 
• It usually happens in people between 20 and 50 years old, but young children and the elderly can also get RA.

According to a 2021 study by the World Health Organization, nearly 14 million people worldwide have rheumatoid arthritis.

Know The Symptoms

Pain and fatigue associated with rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can sometimes be treated with ketamine or other pain management strategies. Common symptoms may include:

• The experience of painful, warm, swollen joints
• Joint stiffness which is usually worse in the mornings or following inactivity
• Fatigue, fever, and lack of appetite

Early rheumatoid arthritis will often affect the smaller joints initially — especially the joints that connect your fingers with your hands and toes to your feet.

What Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis?

“RA is an autoimmune disease. Your immune system is supposed to attack foreigners in your body, like bacteria and viruses, by creating inflammation. The immune system mistakenly sends inflammation to your healthy tissue in autoimmune diseases. The immune system creates a lot of inflammation that is sent to your joints, causing joint pain and swelling. If the inflammation remains present for a long period, it can cause damage to the joint.”

Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Don’t ignore your pain. Some degree of soreness and stiffness is not unusual. But pain that persists longer than an hour following activity or makes joints swell means the activity was too demanding. Either alter your activity level or the way you do something to avoid causing worse pain.
• Don’t get locked into a position, such as writing, doing crafts, or driving, and loosen your grip every 10 minutes or so. The same applies to watching television or computer usage – stand and move about every 30 minutes.
• Find tools and utensils designed for someone with arthritis. This may include anti-vibration gloves, bigger barrel pens, and kitchen utensils to lower the pain triggered by grasping or pinching movements.
• Don’t waste energy. Get equal amounts of rest and activity in daylight hours,  pace yourself, and add frequent short breaks to your routine. Rest before you get too sore or tired.
• Soothe the ache by soaking hands or feet in warm or cool water to relieve joint pain and rigidity. Electrical stimulation may offer temporary pain relief for some people. 
• Your doctor can provide a referral to a physical therapist or rehabilitation specialist for this treatment.
• Ask about ketamine for RA.

Also, don’t forget the importance of getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and remaining as physically active as possible. Maintaining a healthy weight can also reduce pressure on your joints. RA sufferers who smoke are advised to quit. Talk with your medical professional for other ideas about managing your joint pain.

Diagnosis & Treatment

Getting a precise diagnosis is the first step you can take to treat RA effectively. Your primary care doctor will likely refer you to a specialist in treating arthritis (a rheumatologist), as that’s the best person to offer an accurate diagnosis, using your medical history and results of a physical examination and lab tests. You may undergo blood tests (to reveal erythrocyte sedimentation rate and rheumatoid factor) and imaging tests like an x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, or ultrasound to look for signs of erosion in bones and joints.

Managing RA often involves therapy and medicine for inflammation and swelling.

Final Thoughts

RA is a serious condition affecting the hands, knees, ankles, and even the eyes, heart, circulatory system, and lungs if not treated promptly. The symptoms are painful if ignored and can affect the quality of life without treatment. Ask your medical professional for treatment options, including newer ketamine therapy.