Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsProcessTypesWho is At Risk?Risks and Side Effects
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Process
Types
Who is At Risk?
Risks and Side Effects
Healthcare providers administer intravenous (IV) fluids for dehydration to people with severe related symptoms. Everyone gets dehydrated from time to time, but when dehydration is severe, it can have dangerous consequences.
If you are severely dehydrated and unable to drink fluids or consume enough to achieve rehydration, a healthcare provider may administer IV fluids directly into your bloodstream to quickly meet your hydration needs. IV fluids are traditionally reserved for use in a medical setting. However, they are increasingly available outside hospitals and medical centers, like at wellness clinics or at home.
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Process of Using IV Fluids for Dehydration
At Home
If you are receiving IV fluids at home, you need:
Always consult a healthcare professional for the medical need for IV fluids. There are some inherent risks of receiving IV fluids outside a standard medical setting (such as a hospital).—AMELIA MACINTYRE, DO, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Always consult a healthcare professional for the medical need for IV fluids. There are some inherent risks of receiving IV fluids outside a standard medical setting (such as a hospital).
—AMELIA MACINTYRE, DO, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
At the Hospital
In a hospital setting, nurses and other caregivers must be trained to administer IV fluids, which a licensed provider must order.
Just like at home, you need intravenous access, usually in the form of anintravenous lineinserted into one of your arms. Your nurse or caregiver will then administer the ordered fluids and monitor you for their effects.
IV fluids are used for several reasons in the hospital setting, including:
Types of IV Solutions and Number of Bags for Rehydration
Crystalloid fluids
Crystalloid fluidsinclude isotonic, hypertonic, and hypotonic solutions. Common examples of crystalloid fluids include:
Colloids
Colloid solutionshave larger molecules than crystalloid solutions, which means they will stay in the bloodstream longer before moving into the tissues. Examples of fluids in this category includealbumin, plasma, and solutions containing gelatin or starches.
Healthcare providers use colloid fluids for people with severe dehydration or fluid loss. These solutions increase fluid volume faster and more significantly than crystalloid fluids but can also cause more unintended side effects.
Blood Products
Healthcare providers use blood products to treat fluid loss in specific situations. If you are dehydrated due to acute blood loss or clotting disorders, a healthcare provider may treat you with blood products like packedred blood cellsor platelets.
Providers carefully consider the risks vs. benefits of using blood products. They will test you to determine your exactblood typeand identify antibodies in your blood. The wrong blood type— sometimes even the correct blood type—can trigger severe blood transfusion reactions.
IV Fluids: Not Just Water
Groups Susceptible to Dehydration
Infants andolder adultsare usually most at risk for dehydration because they typically do not drink enough and may have medical conditions that cause dehydration. Other factors that can increase your risk of dehydration include:
Recognizing Dehydration Symptoms: Key Signs to Watch Out For
Dehydration Signs and Symptoms
Thesigns and symptomsof dehydration depend on how much fluid you are missing. Sixty percent of our bodies are made of water, and even a 1% to 2% fluid loss can alter your memory and cognitive abilities. You may also notice your skin or lips are drier, and your urine decreases or becomes more concentrated.
If you reach a 4% fluid loss, dehydration can affect everyday functions. This dehydration level can cause:
Dehydration of 8% or more can cause severe symptoms like loss of consciousness or even death.
Chronic Dehydration: How to Rehydrate With Ongoing Symptoms
IV Rehydration Risks and Side Effects
IV rehydration is not without risks or side effects. If you are severely dehydrated, IV fluids will help you feel better quickly. But too much, too little, or the wrong type of fluid—or the presence of some underlying medical problems—can lead to complications.
Risks and side effects that can develop during or after IV fluid administration include:
What Is IV Therapy?
Summary
Intravenous fluids come in many forms and can be lifesaving in the right circumstances. If you’re dehydrated and need IV fluids, it’s best to leave the decision about what kind and how much fluid you need to a medical team.
While there are increasingly more options when it comes to IV fluids at home or at med spas, carefully consider the risks and benefits of IV fluids, as well as the credentials and training of the team administering them.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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