What Is IV Nutritional Therapy? Benefits, Risks, Celebs, More

When Mara Landis came down with the flu in 2017, no remedy seemed to work. The founder of the wellness website Nutmeg Aspirin says she tried vitamin C supplements as well as a few natural options, such as elderberry and manuka honey. After about 10 days of sticking out a fever, headaches, and sore throat, she turned to an IV drip, which is an intravenous infusion of medicine, vitamins, electrolytes, and amino acids that promises to fix whatever’s ailing you.

Some people rely on these treatments when they’re in a pinch — say, when they’re feeling under the weather, battling jet lag, or fighting off illness. Others frequent IV clinics as part of their wellness routine, and choose options purportedly designed to combat aging, boost brainpower, control stress, or even treat medical conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and chronic pain.

Landis tried the IV drip as a last-ditch effort to bounce back from the flu. She visited an integrative ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist, and received a Myers’ cocktail, which is a mix of water-soluble vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, B vitamins, and magnesium.

It did the trick. “Literally I was fine the next day,” Landis says. “It was unbelievable how much it shifted what was going on in my body.” She sent her then 16-year-old son to receive a treatment a few weeks later, and he felt good enough to return to school the next day.

RELATED: 7 Ways to Keep Your Immune System Healthy

What Is IV Nutritional Therapy? And Why Is It Trendy Now?

These IV treatments aren’t exactly new — they’ve traditionally been used in hospitals to help patients rehydrate or restore nutrient deficiencies — but they’re popular now because they’re a quick fix that’s been made available to the masses. Companies have set up brick-and-mortar clinics in many cities, and others offer concierge-style services where they bring needles and infusions straight to a client’s home or office.

IV drips have also seen a boost in popularity thanks to a celebrity following. Chrissy Teigen posted a shot of herself receiving a drip on Instagram, Ariana Grande cited them as part of her treatment plan when she had to cancel a concert in November 2019, and Adele reportedly receives a $220 concoction meant to keep her vocal chords healthy. Other celebrities who’ve also reportedly jumped on the trend include Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, John Legend, Jane Fonda, Cindy Crawford, Simon Cowell, and Real Housewife Lisa Rinna. 

The Proposed Benefits of Nutritional IV Therapy

These celebs and others who swear by IV therapy turn to it as a way to deliver nutrients to the body. Natalya Fazylova, a New York–based holistic health and wellness specialist at ReBalance NYC, has been administering IV treatments since 2014. She says that when we take vitamins orally, they travel to the stomach and intestines, but they don’t get absorbed entirely. With IV drips, on the other hand, Fazylova says, the vitamins go directly to the bloodstream, leading to “better results. ” Most IV sessions cost between $150 and $400 and take about 20 minutes to complete, though some of the more intensive ones can take up to three hours, Fazylova says.

Some popular options include vitamin C, B12, and, increasingly, vitamin D, with Onus iV in the Denver area, Vive IV Therapy in Dubuque, Iowa, and IV Vitamin Therapy in Los Angeles among those offering vitamin D3 drips. Vitamin D, sometimes called the “sunshine vitamin” because it can be obtained through sun exposure, helps the body absorb calcium, according to the National Institutes of Health. Some people may be turning to drips of the vitamin because they aren’t getting their share of sunshine this time of year and because COVID-19 lockdowns have people spending more time indoors than usual.

“It’s an essential vitamin we’ve always needed, and it’s grown in popularity since it’s been linked to helping to build a strong immune system,” says Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist based in New York City and author of Read It Before You Eat It: Taking You From Label to Table. There’s even some preliminary research that shows having adequate levels of vitamin D may help people who’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19. According to an article published January 2021 in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the research so far is mixed — with one study linking a vitamin D deficiency with a greater risk of testing positive for COVID-19 and others finding no connection at all. More studies are needed.

Vitamin D3 is the version to go for since the body absorbs it better than vitamin D2, Taub-Dix says. But she advises against getting your vitamin D from an IV and instead shop for an oral supplement, since it’s readily available on pharmacy and grocery store shelves and is easy to take by mouth. It’s safe to take at dosages of up to 4,000 international units (IU).

RELATED: 11 Vitamin D Myths and Facts

Does Getting Nutrients Through an IV Drip Work?

Taub-Dix warns this isn’t the best way to get your nutrient fix.  “If someone is looking to get nutrients or make the most out of what they can put into their body, if I have a choice, I always prefer using my mouth rather than my veins,” she says. “[IV drips] represent a dramatic, costly, risky means of obtaining vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants we can otherwise obtain from safer sources.” The oral route may be safer because the body contains filters that work as a sort of safety net to keep it from absorbing too much of a particular vitamin, according to Cedars Sinai.

Current research also doesn’t support the purported benefits of IV therapy. One study examined the effect of two months of weekly infusions to treat fibromyalgia syndrome. The researchers found both those who received the IV treatment and those who received a placebo felt better over the course of the study, but there weren’t statistically significant differences between the two groups.

That study suggests there’s a placebo effect at work. After all, if you shell out $250 for a treatment, you may be more willing to believe you’re feeling better so you don’t feel like it was a waste of money. Or the reason you feel better could be because your hydration levels have been restored, according to Cedars Sinai.

Keep that in mind to manage your expectations, and don’t expect IV therapies to be cure-alls. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2018 charged a business selling IV therapy for making misleading claims that its “cocktails” could treat diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, and congestive heart failure. The FTC found the business did not have sufficient scientific evidence to back up those claims.

RELATED: What to Know Before You Try a Detox Cleanse

The Risks Associated With Nutritional IV Therapy

There are also a few risks to be aware of. For one, these clinics aren’t regulated, so there may be differences in quality and cleanliness from clinic to clinic. There’s also the possibility that you’ll be given vitamins and nutrients in too-high concentrations, which can be dangerous. Compared with oral vitamins, this can happen more easily with IV drips, as none of the vitamins are lost during the absorption process or excreted through urine. It’s difficult to predict how your body will respond. Supermodel Kendall Jenner was hospitalized in 2018 after having a bad reaction to an IV drip (though no word on why her body reacted that way).

Taking in too much vitamin C, for instance, can lead to stomach issues, including cramps and diarrhea, according to the Mayo Clinic. And a previous study found taking in high doses of certain supplements may increase your risk for certain types of cancer. (Interestingly, on the flip side, high doses of vitamin C are also used as a treatment for certain types of cancer in complementary medicine, according to the National Cancer Institute.) Vitamin D toxicity, though rare, could lead to a buildup of calcium in your blood, which may bring on nausea, weakness, and increased urination, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Fazylova says people with allergies should be careful and need to know all the ingredients before the IV is administered. She also advises people with heart conditions to be extra cautious because taking in too many extra electrolytes can lead to heart arrhythmias. (The Mayo Clinic points out similar evidence.) If you are managing kidney disease, ask your doctor before trying IV nutritional therapy, as you may need to monitor intake of minerals, including sodium, potassium, and phosphorus.

Make sure that whatever is in the IV solution won’t interact negatively with any medication you’re taking, Taub-Dix recommends. “If you have medical conditions or are on other vitamin supplements or medications, then you really need to check with your healthcare provider to be sure you’re not going to get anything that will interact with something you’re already taking,” she says.

There’s also a risk of infection simply from having a needle inserted into your body. “Anytime you make a hole in your skin, you’re leaving yourself open to infection,” Taub-Dix says. It could become infected, or, though uncommon, the vein could be inflamed or a blood clot could develop, according to Harvard Health Publishing.

RELATED: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency?

A Final Word on Nutrient IV Drips and What to Know Before Trying Them

A Cedars Sinai article says the main outcome of IV drips is “expensive urine,” but they’re not likely to cause harm. “If it’s a one-shot deal and that works for you, great, but I wouldn’t have it be something you rely on,” Taub-Dix says. She says a better plan would be to adjust your diet or consider oral supplements that can help you feel better long term.

Risks and lack of evidence surrounding IV drips aside, Landis is still a fan. “I know that I felt one way the day before and another way the next day,” she says. “I trust myself to know how I feel and decide for myself whether or not something works. I know for myself and I have spoken to many others, and I know that this works.”

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What is IV Nutrition Therapy and What Settings Use It?

If you or your family’s individualized care plan involves IV nutrition therapy (IVNT), you might be curious to know more about the treatment. Let’s talk about how IVNT works, how it helps, and who benefits from the treatment so you can arm yourself with knowledge.

IV Nutrition Therapy is a form of IV treatment that supplies the body with necessary vitamins and minerals to replenish deficiencies or aid in healing. The nutrients get delivered through a liquid solution from an IV line, PICC line, or port.

The IV drip delivers nutrients directly to the bloodstream. This process bypasses digestion to provide quicker delivery to the cells that need it.

If you’re unable to get the right nutrients through your diet or your body has a difficult time absorbing vitamins and minerals, your doctor may recommend IV nutrition therapy.

TPN vs. IVNT

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is not the same as IV nutrition therapy. The differences between the two types of IV therapy are the contents of the IV and the purpose of the treatments.

TPN provides comprehensive nutrition, including macronutrients, electrolytes, and other nutrients to replace food. IVNT supplies specific nutrients to the body, but doesn’t contain protein, fat, and carbohydrates like TPN.

The purpose of TPN is to provide an alternate source of nutrition when a person is unable to eat or absorb nutrients, such as during surgery or incapacitation. IVNT is designed to help with healing or enhance levels of insufficient vitamins and minerals in your body, not replace food like TPN.

Benefits of IVNT

IVNT offers a number of benefits that make it so prevalent and advantageous in healthcare. These benefits include:

• Direct delivery of nutrients
• Correcting fluids, vitamin, and mineral deficiencies
• Preventing dehydration
• Low risk of complications
• Decreasing inflammation and pain
• Boosting immune function
• Preventing cell damage
• Promotes healing

These benefits make IVNT therapy popular in a variety of long- and short-term settings.

Settings Where IV Nutrition Therapy is Common

Elderly patients are much more likely to have a nutritional deficiency or experience dehydration than other populations. Many factors, including the natural decline in body functions, compromised immune function, and weakness contribute to these deficiencies, so older adults often benefit most from IVNT.

The types of settings where IVNT is common include:

• Short- and long-term rehabilitation centers
• Hospitals
• Long-term nursing centers
• Home hospice care
• Home palliative care

Up to 80% of hospital patients receive some form of IV therapy, so it’s very common in hospitals. IVNT can be life-saving in emergencies when immediate nutrient delivery is critical.

IVNT is also particularly useful in long-term rehabilitation settings to prevent hospitalization and to help manage the conditions that prompted care. If the care facility doesn’t offer IVNT, you have to return to the hospital whenever IV treatment is needed. Long-term treatment centers must have the specialized supervision and equipment required to help stabilize chronic conditions through IVNT in order to offer it.

Conditions that Benefit from IV Nutrition Therapy

The settings above are often associated with situations that require IVNT. Some of the conditions that lead many older adults to require this type of treatment include dementia, wounds, and conditions that require surgery.

Dementia

Men and women with dementia or Alzheimer’s may have a hard time staying hydrated as their capacity for self-care and memory decline. Dehydration and nutrient deficiencies can further impair cognitive ability and other functions, so it’s important to replace those bodily essentials. IV nutrition therapy helps fill in nutritional gaps your loved one may experience as a result of cognitive and motor decline.

Wound Care

IVNT is an integral part of the wound care process. Your body needs optimal levels of certain nutrients to support immune function, collagen production, and wound tensile strength, which all impact wound healing. For example, too little levels of vitamin C in your body can interfere with collagen synthesis, which impairs wound healing. IVNT may be one component of your individualized treatment plan for diabetic ulcers, surgical incisions, and other wounds.

Surgery

Surgery usually causes trauma to the body and may increase the body’s need for certain nutrients. IVNT can deliver those nutrients, such as antioxidants, to stabilize your body’s reactions, reduce oxidation, reduce swelling and inflammation, support the immune system, and enhance healing.

If you think about it, you’re usually told to fast and stop taking certain medications and supplements before surgery, which sets you up for nutrient deficiencies before you even enter the operating room. IVNT helps replace these lost nutrients for better surgical outcomes.

Pain

Pain is often associated with inflammation and swelling, which IVNT can help address. Your provider can use an IV infusion to deliver nutrients that provide relief for conditions like fibromyalgia, neuropathy, cancer, migraine, arthritis, and spinal cord injury. Depending on your condition, some vitamins and anti-inflammatory nutrients can address factors that contribute to pain.

In addition to these situations, IVNT can also benefit autoimmune disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, thyroid disorders, asthma, respiratory infections, and many more, making it a common treatment modality.

IV Nutrition Therapy Training

In order to administer IVNT, your nurse or provider has to have specialized education and training in the treatment. Supervision by a trained professional helps ensure the treatment is done properly, prevent complications, monitor reactions, and maintain nutrient balance.

Many long-term care centers aren’t able to offer the rigorous protocol required for IV therapy, so patients have to return to the hospital for every IV treatment. This can be rather costly, agitating, and inconvenient.

However, some treatment centers, like Rehab Select, offer a high level of multidisciplinary care in-house, including IV nutrition therapy. The facility has a nurse available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to supervise IV treatments, making Rehab Select a preferred provider in situations where IVNT is required.

If you or a loved one need comprehensive in-house care for an illness or injury, consider Rehab Select. Contact the customer service department to inquire about intake by calling or contacting us online.

Parenteral nutrition – together by St. Jude

What is parenteral nutrition?

Parenteral nutrition (PN) is intravenous nutrition given through a catheter placed in a vein. It is used when the patient is unable to obtain all the necessary nutrients orally or through an enteral feeding tube. Parenteral nutrition is administered as a liquid directly into the bloodstream. It provides the necessary calories and nutrients to the patient’s body.

Parenteral nutrition is used for partial or complete nutritional support. Complete nutritional support is called total parenteral nutrition (TPN).

Various types of intravenous catheters can be used for parenteral nutrition. These include:

• Peripheral venous catheter. For short-term parenteral nutrition, a catheter is placed in a vein in the arm. This method of installation is called intravenous or peripheral intravenous.
• Central venous catheter. The surgeon may place a catheter in a large vein leading directly to the heart. Central venous catheters include PVCC, central catheters and port systems. Many children with cancer have a central venous catheter for procedures so that they can receive nutrients through the lumen of the catheter. Central venous catheters are the preferred option for long-term parenteral nutrition.

Whenever possible, feeding is best done in the usual way (orally) or through a tube. In this case, digestion occurs in a more natural way. For children with cancer, this is not always possible. Parenteral nutrition may be required in the following cases:

• The child’s digestive system is unable to properly absorb nutrients.
• The child underwent an operation on the digestive system.
• The child has intestinal obstruction.
• The child has severe vomiting or diarrhea.
• The child has problems with enteral feeding (feeding through a tube).

Nutrients in solution for parenteral nutrition

Solutions for parenteral nutrition are prepared in a pharmacy. It is a sterile liquid containing a mixture of essential nutrients. The composition is selected individually, taking into account the needs of a particular patient – his age, body weight and health status.

Parenteral nutrition solution is a sterile liquid containing a mixture of essential nutrients tailored to the needs of the patient.

Carbohydrates, proteins and fats are the 3 main types of nutrients that provide energy to the body and are used by it to perform various functions.

• Carbohydrates are the body’s source of energy. In PN, carbohydrates are supplied in the form of glucose (dextrose).
• Protein is important for building muscle, healing tissue, fighting infection, and cellular function, and is also the body’s source of energy. Proteins are made up of amino acids. Some amino acids are synthesized by the body, while others must be ingested with food.
• Fats (lipids) provide calories and energy and are used to support a variety of cell functions. Fats in PN are important in preventing essential fatty acid deficiencies. Fats serve to protect the organs, help keep the body warm, and provide a supply of certain vitamins that the body can absorb.

PP also provides:

• Electrolytes that are critical for bone, nerve, organ and muscle function. The composition of PP may include substances such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, chloride and acetate ions.
• Vitamins to help your child grow and stay healthy. DAAs typically contain multivitamins containing vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K.
• Minerals and trace elements that are important for the growth and functioning of the body. These include zinc, iron, copper, chromium, manganese and selenium.
• Water that provides the right amount of fluid to prevent dehydration.

How parenteral nutrition is done

Generally, parenteral nutrition is started in the hospital. A doctor, pharmacist, and registered dietitian work together to formulate nutrition based on the amount of calories and nutrients a patient needs each day. A blood test is performed to check the response to PP. If necessary, the mixture for PP is adjusted.

The patient usually receives one packet of PN solution per day. PP is available as a 2 in 1 solution (dextrose and amino acids) and 3 in 1 solution (dextrose, amino acids, lipids). If the solution contains lipids, then there will be two separate chambers in the bag. The nutrients are mixed together by removing the separating strip and gently kneading the bag just prior to infusion. To deliver the solution, the bag is attached to the patient’s intravenous or central catheter and an infusion pump is used. The pump is configured to supply the solution on a schedule.

Permanent PM is carried out continuously. This method is used at the very beginning of PP. This allows the body to adjust and allows doctors to make sure the body is getting all the nutrients it needs.

Cyclic PM is carried out during certain periods (not around the clock). The pump is set to a PV cycle that includes a certain number of hours, such as 20, 16 or 12 hours. As the cycle time decreases, the feed rate increases so that the total amount of PP remains constant.

Benefits of cyclic PN:

• The patient has the ability to disconnect from the pump to do things or just move around.
• Cyclic PN allows the patient to experience hunger. With continuous PN, the patient does not have time to get hungry, and this can make it difficult to switch to oral nutrition.
• In cyclic PN, the patient’s body may release hormones more naturally, as it does with a normal diet.
• Reduces the risk of PN-induced cholestasis, a condition in which bile flow decreases or stops.

Most patients receive cyclic PN at night so that they can do their normal activities for several hours during the day. If the design of the device allows, the infusion pump can be carried in a backpack, which gives additional freedom of movement during parenteral nutrition.

Problems and side effects of parenteral nutrition

To ensure proper nutrition and prevent serious side effects, the process must be carefully monitored. Many problems associated with PN can be solved by adjusting the PN formula or changing the diet. It is also important to take good care of your central venous catheter to avoid infection. It is very important to wash your hands properly and use aseptic techniques when attaching and detaching a PN bag.

Possible complications of PN include abnormal glucose levels, abnormal liver function, electrolyte changes, mineral or vitamin deficiencies, and catheter problems including infection, thrombosis, or blockage. PN may also interfere with the effect of certain drugs.

A common problem with PN is hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar. Hyperglycemia can occur when the body cannot fully use glucose and blood levels rise. This can happen if PN is fed too quickly and the body does not have time to process the sugar. Hyperglycemia can also be caused by infection and medications such as steroids. Symptoms of hyperglycemia: headache, thirst, weakness, nausea. To avoid hyperglycemia, the content of carbohydrates (dextrose) in PN is increased gradually over several days. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is less common, but still possible with abrupt discontinuation of PN.

PC monitoring may include the following checks:

• Blood or urine glucose
• Blood electrolyte levels
• Liver Monitor
• Blood triglyceride level
• Daily urine volume
• Body weight

Parenteral nutrition at home

Patients can receive parenteral nutrition at home. Before the patient is allowed to go home, the relatives who will care for him will be taught:

• How to handle the PP solution, how to store and activate it (gently knead the bag)
• How to add multivitamins and/or medicines to an infusion bag
• How to connect and disconnect the pump
• How to use the

infusion pump

• How to care for your catheter
• How to use aseptic techniques to prevent infections
• How to perform a blood and/or urine glucose test
• How to deal with possible problems
• How to Seek Medical Care in an Emergency

Family Advice

• Plan delivery and storage of PN solution. PC home services can deliver a week’s supply of PC (up to 7 packets) to you. Make sure that the refrigerator has enough space to store food and that the refrigerator is clean. Do not stack more than 3 bags on top of each other.
• All PP bags should be refrigerated and protected from light. The temperature in the refrigerator should be between 2 and 8 °C. PP can be stored at room temperature for no more than 24 hours. Bacteria can grow in the bag if stored incorrectly.
• Remove PP bag from refrigerator 2 hours before use.
• Select the place where you will prepare the PP. There should be no foreign objects in this place. Work on a hard surface that is easy to clean.
• Serve PN at the same time each night.
• Maintain a list of mix stocks. Mark when and in what quantity you need to order packages.
• Keep supplies in one place so mixes can be easily found when needed.
• Maintain a list of contacts, including physician, pharmacist, nutritionist, and home intravenous product delivery company.
• If you need to travel somewhere, plan your BCP in advance. You will need a portable refrigerator to store the solution. Make sure you have enough travel supplies and consider a way to recharge your pump battery.

To provide PN for a child at home, you will need PN solution, equipment, formulas, and supplies. All of these can be obtained from a clinic and an intravenous infusion company at home. These may include:

• PP Solution
  • Multivitamin
  • Physician-prescribed intravenous drugs
• Equipment
  • Infusion pump
  • IV stand
  • Carrying bag for ambulatory pump
• Mixes and supplies
  • Alcohol wipes
  • Urine Sugar Test Strips
  • Heparin and saline
  • Tubes
  • Batteries
  • Needleless connector

PC at home can seem like an incredibly difficult task. Doctors will help patients and families remember the basic rules of home care and take care of the comfort of all participants in the process. What you need to know for family members providing PC for a child at home:

• How to handle and prepare PP mortar. If the PP is prepared in a two-chamber bag (proteins and carbohydrates on one side, and fats on the other), the bag must be activated. To activate the pack, grasp one end of the rubber strip, pull it out of the rigid rod, and discard. Gently mash the bag to mix the fats with the rest of the solution.
• How to add drugs and/or multivitamins to PN. A multivitamin is a blend of vitamins and minerals prepared with the needs of the patient in mind. You will learn what vitamins the child needs and how to draw them into a syringe and inject them into a bag. Initially, PP has the appearance of a transparent liquid. After adding multivitamins, the solution will turn yellow.
• How to use PCB equipment, supplies, and mixes. These skills include programming an ambulatory pump (PN delivery device), piercing a PN bag, and filling or “priming” tubes by passing PN solution through them.
• How to connect the PN bag to the central catheter. The procedure depends on the type of catheter.
• How to check your child’s blood and/or urine glucose levels. These tests show how well the child’s body absorbs the sugar contained in PN. Your doctors will tell you when these tests should be done.
• How to use aseptic techniques to prevent infection. Keeping cleanliness in the organization of the PP is very important. Microorganisms in the central catheter can cause severe bloodstream infection.

To prevent infection:

• Store formula supplies in a clean, dry place out of reach of children and pets.
• Prepare a clean, dry area free from foreign objects.
• Wash hands with antibacterial soap before touching consumables and mixtures.
• Keep PP solutions and mixtures packed until you are ready to use them.
• Store PN solutions and multivitamins in the refrigerator on a separate clean shelf or in a clean box away from food.
• Avoid using PP solution if it has been stored out of the refrigerator for more than 24 hours.
• Lightly squeeze the PP bag to check its integrity. Make sure the solution is clear and looks normal. Do not use food if there is a puncture in the bag, if the solution is cloudy, or if there are particles floating in it. If you use a 3-part solution, after you activate the lipids, it will look like milk.
• Do not use mixtures or consumables if you are in doubt about their purity. If cleaning objects and surfaces is acceptable, wipe them with alcohol. Any consumables with a sterile tip (tubing, needles, syringes) that have touched a non-sterile surface should be discarded.

The family will need to contact a company that provides infusion services at home. In some cases, this company may refer to a clinic or hospital. Your PCPs can help you find out what options are available in your area.

A doctor’s referral is required for home PCP. Before switching to home treatment, the clinic’s health staff will help you contact the home infusion company to order the right mixtures. You will need to meet with representatives of this company and pick up the ordered mixtures; the nurse will have to come to your home and connect the PC for your child. After your first visit, a nurse from this company will visit you at least once a week to supervise catheter care, perform lab tests, and resupply food.

Getting PC at home may be covered, but it depends on your policy and your child’s medical needs. Your questions can be answered by a social worker, a patient advocate, an insurance company manager, or a representative of a home PCC company.

Be sure to keep a detailed list of formulas, consumables, and equipment. Include notes on how to order, storage instructions, quantity of each item available, and notes on what to order and when. The home infusion company can also help you determine your current formula and supplies needs, arrange for ordering and delivery, and resolve equipment problems.

If you have questions about PN, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, nurse or nutritionist. Before you go home, make sure you know who to contact if you have questions or concerns and what to do in an emergency.

–
Modified June 2018

Parenteral (intravenous) nutrition – HealthInfo

Definition

Sterile solutions containing some or all of the nutrients necessary for life can enter the body through a catheter with a needle that is inserted into a vein. This measure can be both temporary and long-term.

Purpose

Some people do not get enough minerals from food or are unable to eat on their own due to illness, surgery or an accident. They are fed intravenously with a drip or catheter. Droppers are applied for several hours and help to restore the balance of fluid in the body after surgery or a viral illness.

People with serious and long-term illness need intravenous nutrition to cover their mineral needs for months, sometimes years. Such patients may require a permanent intravenous system. A special catheter is inserted under the skin into the subclavian vein. The solution for a long time enters directly into the blood. The correct placement of the catheter is checked using x-rays.

Precautions

Intravenous nutrition must be administered under medical supervision. It controls the fluid, mineral and nutrient balance in the body.

Description

There are two types of intravenous feeding (feeding not through the digestive system, but through a vein). Partial nutrition is prescribed for a short time to cover the deficiency of certain nutrients and is only an addition to the patient’s usual diet. Complete nutrition is indicated for people who are unable to eat in the usual way, but need to receive nutrients. Both types of intravenous nutrition can be used both in a medical institution and at home. In the second case, the central venous catheter is installed in the hospital, and the food itself is provided at home.

Diluted, sterile, aqueous solutions of sodium (salt) or glucose (sugar) are bottled or in tight plastic bags mounted on a rack next to the patient’s bed. Additional minerals (potassium, calcium, vitamins, and drugs) can be injected directly into the package using a syringe. Stock solutions replenish the body’s fluid, caloric, and electrolyte needs for only a short time. If the patient needs artificial nutrition for more than a few days, additional substances (for example, proteins and fats) are introduced into the solution. The specific dosage depends on the age, health status of the patient and other individual factors.

Preparation for intravenous nutrition

The composition of the solution for artificial nutrition (additional substances and medicines) is prescribed by a doctor. He also establishes the norms of feeding. Solutions are prepared under medical supervision in compliance with sanitary standards to prevent bacterial contamination. The package should indicate the list and quantity of the components of the solution. The skin at the injection site should be disinfected. To avoid displacement of the needle, it is fixed on the skin with a plaster.

Keep the solution in the refrigerator at home. Before use, it is heated to room temperature. The packaging should indicate the expiration date and shelf life.

Return to normal eating

Patients who have been fed intravenously for more than a few days should adapt to regular food intake by gradually introducing foods into the diet. After the needle is removed from the vein, the wound should be checked for bleeding or infection.

At home, it is important to keep the catheter clean and change the dressing at least once a week. You should also pay attention to the presence of redness, inflammation and discharge at the injection site. Swelling of the extremities indicates the presence of a nutritional imbalance.

Potential risks

Intravenous feeding is a risk of infection at the needle insertion site. In patients receiving artificial nutrition for a long time, there is a possibility of spreading the infection throughout the body. The intravenous nutrition solution does not always contain sufficient amounts of essential nutrients, so their imbalance or deficiency is possible. If the needle is loose, the solution may not enter the vein, but into the surrounding tissues, and lead to the formation of an abscess. Patients receiving intravenous nutrition need constant monitoring. This is especially important in the home, where there is a high risk of infection at the site of the catheter, high blood glucose levels, and low potassium levels (conditions that threaten the patient’s life).

Key Terms

Home Intravenous Nutrition

Continuous intravenous nutrition administered through a central venous catheter at home.

Intravenous nutrition

Nutrition by introducing nutrients directly into the blood. The needle is inserted into a vein at the back of the wrist, the inside of the elbow, etc. Additional fluids, nutrients, or medications may be given with a syringe.

Parenteral nutrition

Nutrients do not enter the digestive tract, but into the vein, and then they are carried with the blood throughout the body.

Partial parenteral (intravenous) nutrition

A solution containing nutrients given into a vein to correct a deficiency usually caused by poor nutrition.

Total parenteral (intravenous) nutrition

A solution containing all essential nutrients, including proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, is injected into a vein in courses lasting several hours. Total parenteral nutrition is a completely balanced diet that provides a source of nutrients for individuals who are unable to obtain them in the usual way.