Why might older patients need I.V. treatments:
A tendency toward a restricted diet develops, especially if the patient is living alone.
Diet may be based on what tastes good; not necessarily what is good for balanced nutrition (this applies to all age groups) e.g. Sugar – because it is the last taste bud to leave the body
Nutritional deficiencies may be related to prescription drugs, many of which deplete specific nutrients. Rarely does the prescribing physician consider this.
Gastric secretions decrease in the elderly; both hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factor decrease due to loss of parietal cells. Pancreatic insufficiency can develop independently or be associated with loss of biochemical reflexes started in the stomach.
The absorptive capacity of the small bowel may be decreased. A concomitant large bowel problem may be present, i.e. constipation.
I.V. repletion leads to a rapid increase in nutrient levels in the blood. This concentration gradient is able to overcome sluggish transport mechanism, due to low energy, and the nutrients are able to get into cells where they are needed.
This can “kick start” the metabolism.
May lead to detoxification symptoms, as cells have enough energy to eliminate accumulated metabolites. It is recommended that a patient should drink lots of water. They may feel feverish, aches & pains etc. This usually last 24-48 hours from the initial treatment.
Some patients can feel very good and energized after the treatment, others can feel tired and have the detoxification symptoms, such as headache, myalgia, and mild G.I symptoms.