IV fluids or drinking water: which is right for me?

Cleveland Clinic describes IV rehydration as a procedure used in people who are sick, injured, dehydrated from exercise or heat, or undergoing surgery. It also notes that serious dehydration can follow too much exercise or too much time in the heat without drinking enough. A healthcare provider decides which type of IV fluid is right, depending on why it is needed.

That is a medical setting. If someone is very dizzy, confused, or cannot keep fluids down, the right step is medical care.

Researchers have compared IV fluids with drinking in healthy adults who lost fluid exercising in the heat. These studies are small, so read them as hints and not as final answers.

One study followed eight men. Right after rehydration, the amount of fluid in the blood was higher with the IV than with drinking. Even so, the researchers wrote that IV rehydration was not advantageous over drinking in regards to physiological strain, heat tolerance, effort, or how hot the men felt. Thirst was also lower after drinking.

A second study used eight highly trained cyclists. It concluded that drinking resulted in lower ratings of effort, thirst, and heat discomfort than an IV during exercise in the heat.

What this does not tell us matters just as much. Both studies were short and used very few people. Neither says anything about how you would feel after a long week, a long flight, or a night out. We will not promise you a result an IV did not show in research.

An IV puts fluid directly into a vein. Cleveland Clinic lists some possible complications. A vein can collapse when the needle goes in or when an IV stays in for a long time. Too much fluid given too quickly can cause headache, high blood pressure and trouble breathing. Phlebitis, a swollen vein caused by the IV, is another one. These are the reasons a trained clinician should place and monitor an IV.

• Normal thirst, a warm day, or a workout: water first, and take your time.
• Vomiting, diarrhea, or you cannot keep fluids down: call a doctor.
• Severe symptoms such as confusion or fainting: get medical help right away.
• You would simply like fluids by IV: talk with our team first. Tell us about any health condition, pregnancy, or medicine you take so we can make sure a visit is a good fit.

Some people like to sit down in a calm room and have fluids through a vein instead of sipping on their own. That is a personal choice. Our hydration IV is $175.00 for 500 mL and $275.00 for 1000 mL, as listed on our price page. If you would rather not travel, we also offer mobile IV visits, and you can browse all of our IV therapy options.

Water is the everyday way to stay hydrated. An IV is a medical tool for more serious dehydration, and in the studies above it was not better than drinking for healthy adults after exercise in the heat. If you still want an IV, our team is here to answer your questions. You can book a visit whenever you are ready.