Vitamin C infusion is a treatment procedure by introducing vitamin C into the body through veins. Vitamin C infusion is usually given when the patient's body requires large doses of vitamin C.
Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is one of the substances that has benefits for the body, including:
- Produces proteins that are useful in the formation of skin, muscles, ligaments (connective tissue), and blood vessels.
- Accelerate the process of healing and formation of wound tissue.
- Repair and maintain cartilage, bones, and teeth.
- Helps absorb iron.
- Boosts the immune system.
- Reducing the side effects of chemotherapy for cancer sufferers.
- Acts as an antioxidant, a nutrient that protects the body from damage caused by free radicals, such as cigarette smoke or radiation.
The human body is unable to produce vitamin C. However, intake of vitamin C can be obtained from fruits and vegetables, such as oranges, kiwi, mango, pineapple, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, paprika, and spinach. Adults (aged 19-64 years) need 40 mg of vitamin C intake per day. Chronic or chronic vitamin C deficiency can cause a disease called Skorbut.
One form of vitamin C treatment is through blood vessels, known as vitamin C infusion. When vitamin C is given intravenously, blood levels of vitamin C can be higher than oral administration of vitamin C. Provision of high doses of vitamin C is also thought to slow the growth of cancer cells and improve the quality of life of sufferers. However, this still requires further research.
Indications for Vitamin C infusion
Vitamin C infusion is generally performed on patients with medical disorders as follows:
- Vitamin C deficiency, which is a condition when the body lacks vitamin C, so that the body's immune system is disturbed and causes damage in various body tissues. If vitamin C deficiency is allowed to occur, then within a period of 3 months or more, can cause scurvy.
- Impaired iron absorption, which can lead to iron deficiency anemia.
- Tyrosinemia, a genetic disorder that causes disruption of the amino acid tyrosine which is characterized by high levels of tyrosine in the blood (hypertyrosinemia) and urine (tyrosinuria).
In addition, vitamin C infusion may be used as a type of therapeutic treatment for cancer, degenerative diseases (such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, or Alzheimer's disease), and infectious diseases (such as flu, pneumonia, or tuberculosis). still needs further research related to effectiveness and possible risks.
Warning:
- Tell your doctor if you have a history of kidney disease, because the infusion of vitamin C is at risk of causing kidney failure, especially in patients who are going to have a high dose of vitamin C.
- Tell your doctor if you have a history of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD deficiency) deficiency, because it can cause hemolysis, a condition when red blood cells are destroyed.
- Tell your doctor if you have a hemochromatosis condition, because vitamin C causes iron to be easily absorbed by the body.
- Tell your doctor about the types of drugs or supplements that have been or are being consumed, especially antihistamine drugs, at least 24 hours before vitamin C infusion treatment.
Before the Vitamin C Infusion
Before undergoing vitamin C infusion, the doctor will do a check on the patient's medical history in advance, starting from complaints, history of illnesses that have suffered, and types of drugs that are being and have ever been consumed. Furthermore, the doctor may conduct a physical examination to detect the disorder experienced by the patient and the patient's overall condition. Laboratory and supporting examinations can also be done to confirm the diagnosis, such as blood tests, urine tests, X-rays, CT scans, or MRI.
In addition, there are a number of things that patients need to prepare and do before undergoing a vitamin C infusion, including:
- Use clothes that are comfortable and easily access the patient's upper arms.
- Increase the consumption of fluids, so that the body avoids dehydration and makes it easier for doctors to access the patient's blood vessels.
- Eating food before undergoing vitamin C infusion to reduce the risk of changes in blood sugar levels.
- Actively moving, because blood vessels may be more difficult to access if the patient rarely moves before undergoing an IV.
Vitamin C Infusion Procedure
Vitamin C infusion is the same as a general IV procedure. The steps for the vitamin C infusion procedure are as follows:
- The doctor will install a tourniquet, which is an elastic strap that is attached to the patient's upper arm to suppress and stop the flow of blood, so that the blood vessels dilate and the doctor easily detects the right blood vessels to deliver vitamin C.
- The doctor will sterilize the area of the skin where the needle will be inserted with alcoholic cotton.
- Next, the doctor will insert an IV needle (abocath) into the blood vessel. If a small amount of blood appears in the tube (compartment) on the IV needle, then it is certain that the needle has entered the blood vessel. The patient will feel pain and discomfort when the needle is pricked
- The doctor will remove the tourniquet from the patient's arm, then connect the IV needle with an IV tube that has been connected with a fluid bag containing vitamin C. The doctor will usually apply a bandage to the IV needle to keep the needle from moving or pulling out.
- The doctor will adjust the IV drip according to the patient's needs and record the date and time of the IV drip, type of fluid, and number of drip drips.
- During the infusion fluid is given, the doctor will make observations on the patient's vital condition, the smoothness of the drip, and the condition of the injection area.
- After the vitamin liquid in the infusion bag is finished, the doctor will close the intravenous fluid controller (roller clamp) to stop the flow of fluid.
- The doctor will press the area where the needle is inserted with cotton or alcohol gauze, then gently pull the needle and IV line. The patient will feel pain again when the needle is pulled.
- Patients are advised to keep pressing the injection site for several minutes to reduce the risk of bleeding.
- The doctor will cover the injection site with a bandage or wound bandage.
Vitamin C infusion treatment procedures generally last for 1-2 hours, depending on the patient's condition and the number of doses given.
After Vitamin C Infusion
Patients can feel tired, mild headaches, or dizziness after undergoing a vitamin C infusion, especially patients undergoing high doses of vitamin C. However, this condition can be avoided by consuming lots of fluids and food before and after undergoing an IV. The patient is also at risk of having a small bruise at the injection site, but will usually go away on its own within a week.
After the doctor makes observations and ensures the patient's condition is stable, the patient will be allowed to go home and carry out normal activities. The effects of vitamin C treatment through an IV are generally only felt 2-3 days after the treatment procedure.
To prevent vitamin C deficiency and maintain a healthy body, there are several things you can do, including:
- Increase consumption of vegetables and fruits with high vitamin C levels.
- Stop smoking because cigarettes can inhibit the absorption of vitamin C into the body.
- Limit consumption of alcoholic drinks.
- Exercise regularly.
Risk of Vitamin C Infusion
Giving vitamin C through infusion is generally safe to do. However, just like other intravenous drug administration procedures, infusion of vitamin C also has risks, including:
- Infection. Infection can occur at the injection site. Infection can also enter the bloodstream and cause severe infections throughout the body. To prevent infection, the infusion process needs to be done carefully using sterilized equipment.
- Blood clotting. Infusion treatment can cause blood clots to form along blood vessels. Blood clots can cause tissue damage and even death.
- Embolism. If air enters the syringe or medicine bag and the dry drip, then air bubbles can enter the blood vessels. Air bubbles can move towards the heart or lungs and block blood flow. This condition can cause a heart attack or stroke.
- Damage to blood vessels. The use of needles and IV tubes can cause damage to blood vessels and trigger the leakage of drugs that are channeled through the infusion to the surrounding tissue, thus causing tissue damage.
Contact your doctor immediately if you have a fever and redness, pain, warmth, and swelling at the injection site.
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