Another medical fad?
IV Lounges offer tempting quickfix solutions by injecting a super shot of electrolytes, minerals, antioxidants and vitamins directly into the bloodstream. But is such an intravenous intervention essential? Experts share their take
An intra-venous (IV) drip is, usually, prescribed when the medicine dosage is highly concentrated or when the patient can’t consume the medicines orally. However, as the latest fad indicates, it is being used as a quick fix by some doctors and fanatics.
IV lounges and clinics across some metros are offering a mega boost of wellness by injecting a super shot of electrolytes, minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins directly into the bloodstream, albeit intravenously.
Dr Chetan Goyal, Consultant, critical care medicine, Paras JK Hospital, Udaipur, agrees that IV hydration therapy and IV vitamin therapy can help restore, replenish and detoxify the body quicker than by drinking water, eating healthy or taking oral medication. “While there’s no doubt that an IV can speed up how quickly things enter the bloodstream, it is unlikely that boutique IV therapy companies can actually give the results they claim,” he states.
Wellness shot
Dr Lenny Da Costa of Rejuven8 Clinic, Mumbai, has been doing intravenous IV therapies since 2004, and treating chronic degenerative conditions; especially ageing conditions. “Being a qualified geriatric physician, it is imperative for me to help my patients in the best way possible with their ageing issues. There was no better way to give the nutrients in the right doses than IVs whenever possible. IV therapies work for chronic degenerative conditions from brain fog to dementia, from postural hypotension to heart failure, and many other conditions,” claims Dr Da Costa, who was among the first few to start IV therapiues for treatment purposes.
Dr Deepak Chaturvedi of AMAAYA Clinic in Mumbai explains how the Myers’ Cocktail, an IV infusion of vitamins and nutrients, was designed to reduce medical symptoms and give patients a a feeling of better well-being. According to him, IV infusion of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants like glutathione, work for patients with chronic alcoholism, pancreatitis, liver disorders, chronic fatigue, etc.
However, Dr Rashmi Shetty, dermatologist and founder and creator of Sol Skin Corp, calls IV infusion therapy a fad and rues the lack of ample medical research or documentation on this subject. “Infusion of vitamins has been done earlier when there is a severe deficiency of vitamins or when a person isn’t well, and the body needs much more to heal and recuperate. But now, it has become a fad, one solution for all problems: late-night harrows, hangover, or exhaustion,” Dr Shetty informs.
Avoid overindulgence
Dr Goyal warns of overdose of the IV therapy as it can have major side effects. “Some of the common side effects of vitamin IV therapy are rashes, infection at the injection site, vein inflammation and bruising, air embolism, and blood clots. Various side effects related to the injected vitamins can also erupt. It is crucial to inform the doctor about any medications or supplements you are taking orally as the combination of IV with them can be dangerous as well. It can also interfere with electrolyte balance. For example, too much potassium can cause a heart attack,” he says. “Any overindulgence can prove to dangerous in the long run,” he concludes.