Health & wellness
BY MARY KATHERINE SHAPIRO
Medical Director Chibuike Okoro explains IV hydration therapy Intravenous hydration therapy, a popular well- ness trend, involves the direct infusion of fluids, vitamins and minerals into the bloodstream. While it can provide rapid rehydration, its long-term health benefits remain largely unproven, said Dr. Chibuike Okoro, medical director of Hospital Medi- cine for Baylor Scott & White Medical Center-Irving. Okoro spoke to Community Impact about how IV therapy works, the potential risks and what indi- viduals seeking this treatment may need to know. Responses have been edited for length, clarity and style. How does IV therapy work? IV therapy is essentially a quick infusion of water in the form of saline, associated with some elec- trolytes, vitamins and other minerals, but it goes
directly into the bloodstream. It’s typically used for rehydration in the outpatient setting and has a variety of uses in the hospital. Are there health benefits to IV therapy? What are they? There is no research that really supports that IV vitamin hydration provides clear health benefits. Overall, there’s been an increase in interest in wellness, alternative medicine and fitness, and IV hydration has found its landing place within that. Why do you think IV therapy has become increasingly popular in recent years? The marketing behind it has been huge. You see a lot of celebrities doing it, and I think in general, there’s an increased interest in wellness, fitness and alternative medicine. Most commonly you see IV therapy promoted right after drinking alcohol or right after excessive exercise, and so it can really help with the symp- toms you feel from dehydration, fatigue, lethargy [and] headaches.
COURTESY BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. For a longer version, visit communityimpact.com .
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