There are many different conditions that can be treated through the use of intravenous therapy. Electrolyte fluids, nutritional fluids, medicated fluids, and blood, given to a patient through the use of an intravenous tube, are the treatments most often given. The most common conditions that are treated through the use of intravenous therapy are dehydration, blood loss, and bacterial infection, though it is common for hospitals to administer various medications through the use of an intravenous line. It is also possible to offer limited nutrition through intravenous therapy to a patient who cannot eat.
Patients who are dehydrated are often given intravenous fluids as a quick and simple treatment. With the use of intravenous fluids, a patient can be both quickly rehydrated and kept hydrated. Many medical conditions may make it difficult or impossible for a patient to drink enough water to sufficiently replenish fluids, so additional fluid is given through an intravenous line. In some cases, glucose is added to an intravenous fluid bag to give a patient’s cells some additional energy.
Blood is also commonly given to patients as a form of intravenous therapy. A patient who has lost a significant amount of blood through an accident or through surgery can receive a donation of blood from a compatible donor. Certain blood treatments may also be conducted through an intravenous line. In treatments, such as hemodialysis, blood is drawn from a patient’s body, treated, and then returned to the patient through another intravenous line.
Many different types of medication are given intravenously. Antibiotics are among the most common of these. A patient can absorb antibiotics more quickly through the blood stream than he could if the medication were taken orally, which helps ensure that the infection is fought off quickly. In cases of severe infection, this can improve a patient’s chances of survival. Patients who cannot take medication orally can also receive treatment through an intravenous line.
Treatments for some diseases may also be given intravenously. Chemotherapy, for instance, is often given in this manner. A patient suffering from a drug addiction may receive intravenous therapy to help ease the symptoms of withdrawal. This treatment is administered in a hospital setting with patients who are suffering from severe withdrawal symptoms.
