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Intravenous (IV) aka infusion is a method of administering drugs that are done directly through a vein. This therapy is usually the best choice if the patient's body condition makes it impossible to take medication orally (by mouth). Come on, find out information about intravenous therapy in this article.

Not all medical conditions need an intravenous drip

Not all diseases require infusion. Doctors usually recommend having an intravenous drip when a patient has a medical emergency that requires the drug to enter his body quickly. For example, when someone is dehydrated (dehydrated), has a heart attack, stroke, or poisoning.

When this condition occurs, taking medication by mouth will not be effective in helping to relieve the patient's condition. The reason is, oral drugs take longer to be absorbed by the bloodstream because they must be digested by the body first. In fact, the patient is in need of prompt treatment because if not, his condition could get worse.

Infusion is also important when oral medication is not possible. This can occur when the patient experiences severe vomiting, where all food and liquid that enters the mouth is immediately vomited without being digested.

Well, this is when infusion therapy is one of the best solutions. Yes, intravenous therapy, aka infusion, can help accelerate the absorption of the drug into the bloodstream, so that the drug will work more optimally to treat the patient's condition.

In general, here are the conditions that cause your doctor to infuse you:

• Severe dehydration
• Food poisoning
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Immune system disorders
• Have an infection that makes the patient unresponsive to oral antibiotics
• Using chemotherapy drugs to treat cancer
• Use of certain drugs to treat pain
• Have chronic inflammation

The provision of intervenous therapy is not limited to the above conditions. There may be other conditions that are not listed above, but which require intervention. Therefore, consult your doctor to determine whether you need intervenous therapy.

Check the types of infusions

The method of giving drugs intravenously turns out to be divided into two types, namely:

1. Manual.This method is done by involving the force of gravity so that the amount of drug remains the same over a period of time. The nurse can adjust the rate of dripping of the intravenous fluid by reducing or increasing the clamping pressure on the intravenous tube attached to the tube.
2. Pump.The rate of flow of fluids in the infusion can be adjusted with an electric pump. The nurse will program the pump so that the intravenous fluid can drip at the rate and amount that suits the patient's needs. The pump can only be used when the dosage of the drug is correct and controlled.

Regardless of the method used, nurses or medical personnel should still closely monitor your infusions. This is done so that the rate of fluid dripping from the infusion bag is well controlled. Fluid rates that are too fast or even too can make treatment not optimal.

The process of infusion

Before infusing you, the doctor, nurse, or other medical personnel must first determine the type of infusion the patient will use. Whether it's manual or electric pump,

Now, after the doctor or nurse has succeeded in determining which method is best for the patient, then the infusion can be injected through the skin. However, before inserting the needle into the vein, the nurse will usually clean the area that was injected with alcohol. This is done so that the area is clean from exposure to germs.

In adults, the most frequent infusions are the back of the hand or the crease between the upper and lower arms. While for babies, the infusion can be given through the feet, hands, or even the scalp.

You may feel some discomfort when the catheter is inserted into the vein. No need to worry, this pain is a normal reaction and generally gets better as soon as the procedure is done.

Are there any side effects after the infusion?

Every medical procedure has side effects. This includes when you are infused by medical personnel in a clinic or hospital. Side effects after the infusion can be mild or severe, depending on your body's reaction to the drug and other factors.

In general, here are some of the most common side effects of intravenous infusions:

1. Infection

In many cases, infection can occur at the injection site. Usually, these side effects occur due to improper insertion of needles and catheters, or the use of unsterile medical equipment.

This condition can cause infiltration. When infiltration occurs, the drug that is supposed to enter the bloodstream actually leaks into the surrounding tissue. Inflatration on its own can cause severe tissue damage if not treated promptly.

Usually, symptoms of infection due to injection include redness, pain, and swelling at the injection site accompanied by high fever to chills. Seek medical help immediately if you experience any of these symptoms after the infusion.

2. Air embolism

Air embolism can occur due to the presence of air in the syringe or intravenous drug bag. When the intravenous bag lines dry, air bubbles can enter the blood vessels.

These air bubbles can flow towards the heart or lungs so that blood flow to the area can be obstructed. If they persist, air embolism can cause serious problems such as a heart attack or stroke.

3. Blood clots

Intervenous therapy can also cause blood clots. This clotting blood causes blood flow to slow down, causing the blocked area to become swollen, red, and painful.

Can intravenous therapy be done alone?

Unfortunately, you cannot do infusion therapy on your own. Infusion must be done by a doctor or nurse. The reason is, the dose used in infusion therapy depends on body weight, medical history, drugs being consumed, and the patient's overall health condition.

The amount of fluid flowing from the infusion bag into the vein must also be calculated precisely. Too much or too little intravenous fluids can cause complications such as shortness of breath and high blood pressure. This condition can be dangerous, especially if it is experienced by patients with a history of chronic disease.

On the other hand, infusion must also be done carefully because the administration of drugs must be given directly into a blood vessel in a certain part of the body. If you are wrong in determining the location of the blood vessels, then infection and narrowing of the blood vessels can occur. Both of them can worsen your condition.

So, don't ever try to do this procedure yourself.