There are many types of injections for many different things. They can be given in many different ways, such as: intravenously, intramuscularly, intradermally, or intraarticularly. There are different fluids that can be given for each of these ways that will be given below.
Intravenously
Intra-venous-ly, by breaking this word down and using your knowledge of medical terminology, it can be determined that an injection given intravenous is an injection infused into the vein, more commonly known as an IV.
Such types of injections are used when the medicine needs to be absorbed slowly. In this type of injection, the needle has to go through the first 2 layers of skin (the epidermis and dermis). The needle should further penetrate into the fatty layer of skin, known as the subcutaneous tissue. Medicines administered through subcutaneous injections have the least chance of having an adverse reaction. Insulin is one type of medicine that is injected in this way, so also a number of immunizations. IVs are more commonly used in hospitals. Sometimes, an IV medication is given as a “push” or “bolus” dose with a syringe directly into the vein. When an IV line is inserted, an IV “drip” is usually started. A drip is a constant flow of sterile liquid from a bag hanging above the patient. The liquid is often a saline solution. Other medications can be added to this saline solution, and infused into the blood slowly over time. Sometimes a pump is attached to the IV line and pumps liquid into the catheter in a very slow, steady fashion. |
Most common types of Intravenous Injections:
IV medications are typically used for sedation or anesthetics. Steroids are sometimes used as intravenous drugs to reduce inflammation or swelling caused by certain medical conditions for patients that are unable to take medications orally. Typically, these injections are seen in the top of the hand or elbow pit area.
The most common form of intravenous injection medications is Chemotherapy for cancer patients. Chemotherapy is a category of cancer treatment that uses a mixture of chemical substances or antidrugs to help kill off cancer cells in patients from reproducing.
Other forms of intravenous injection medications include anti-seizure (anticonvulsants) medications that include pregabalin, valproic acid, or lamotrigene. These medications are used to treat seizures or pain caused by nerve damage.
Intravenous injections can even be used for something like giving anesthetics to patients about to undergo surgery or something as simple as getting your blood drawn.
The uses for intravenous injections are almost limitless, they are among the most common types of injections people will see given and are the most simplest.
IV medications are typically used for sedation or anesthetics. Steroids are sometimes used as intravenous drugs to reduce inflammation or swelling caused by certain medical conditions for patients that are unable to take medications orally. Typically, these injections are seen in the top of the hand or elbow pit area.
The most common form of intravenous injection medications is Chemotherapy for cancer patients. Chemotherapy is a category of cancer treatment that uses a mixture of chemical substances or antidrugs to help kill off cancer cells in patients from reproducing.
Other forms of intravenous injection medications include anti-seizure (anticonvulsants) medications that include pregabalin, valproic acid, or lamotrigene. These medications are used to treat seizures or pain caused by nerve damage.
Intravenous injections can even be used for something like giving anesthetics to patients about to undergo surgery or something as simple as getting your blood drawn.
The uses for intravenous injections are almost limitless, they are among the most common types of injections people will see given and are the most simplest.
Intramuscularly
Intra-muscular-ly, using your knowledge of medical terminology, one can determine that this type of injections is done directly in the muscle.
This is the most common way of injecting medication directly into a patient. For rapid absorption of the medicine this is a very useful process because the medicine from this injection is inserted directly into the muscle. This allows the medicine to gain easy access to the blood stream and quickly begin its healing work. Intramuscular injections are the best and the safest way of injecting medication into a patient. When a patient goes to see the doctor for a checkup, more times than not, they will receive a shot. A shot directly correlates with an intramuscular injection, they are the exact same thing. This way of injecting medicine typically works faster because, like mentioned above, the medication is directly inserted into the muscle and quickly begins it's healing work. |
Most common types of intramuscular injections:
Typically these types of injections are really only seen in hospital settings. The most common type of intramuscular injection is, like mentioned above, the shot. When patients go in for a check up at the doctors office, they'll get a shot. Doctors inject patients with a tiny dose of a virus in order for their immune system to build up and become strong enough to fight that disease off if the patient were ever to get that disease.
Because these injections are so common and are injected into the muscle, there are many areas in which a doctor can infuse this injection.
Typically these types of injections are really only seen in hospital settings. The most common type of intramuscular injection is, like mentioned above, the shot. When patients go in for a check up at the doctors office, they'll get a shot. Doctors inject patients with a tiny dose of a virus in order for their immune system to build up and become strong enough to fight that disease off if the patient were ever to get that disease.
Because these injections are so common and are injected into the muscle, there are many areas in which a doctor can infuse this injection.
- Ventrogluteal Muscle (Hip): The hip is a good place to inject on adults and children over the age of 7 months.
- Deltoid Muscle (Upper arm, lower shoulder): The correct area to give an injection at this site is about 2-3 inches below the acromion process and should not be given if the muscle is abnormally thin.
- Vastis Lateralis Muscle (Thigh): The thigh is a good place to give yourself an injection because it is easy to see. It is also a good spot for children younger than 3 years old.
- Dorsogluteal Muscle (buttocks): Do NOT use this site for infants or children, their muscles are not developed enough.
Intradermally
Intra-dermal-ly, this is an injection administered in the skin.
This technique involves the injection of the fluids into the top layer of the skin, which is soft and pliable (only about 3 mm thick). Mainly used for treating certain health problems, including many allergies and tuberculosis. Intradermal injections can be delivered using either normal-sized needles (Mantoux technique) or devices specially designed for intradermal injection. Intradermal injections are used for skin testing and to administer anesthetics. These types of injections usually are infused at the inner forearm or elbow pit and the upper back. Doctors have to make sure that the area of skin they want to penetrate is free of hair and lesions, and is clean and dry in order to foreshadow accurate results. |
Most common types of Intradermal Injections
The medicine used most commonly to administer skin tests is Tuberculin. Tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) is used in a skin test to help diagnose tuberculosis (TB) infection in persons at increased risk of developing active disease.
Tuberculin skin test is done by injecting tuberculin PPD into the surface layer of the skin. If the test is positive, a reaction will be seen at and around the place of injection or puncture. If the test is given using an injection, this reaction is usually a hard, raised area with clear margins. If the test is given using the puncture devices, the reaction is usually a swollen area at the puncture site. The size of the reaction is measured and recorded and the results of the test are studied after 48 to 72 hours.
The medicine used most commonly to administer skin tests is Tuberculin. Tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) is used in a skin test to help diagnose tuberculosis (TB) infection in persons at increased risk of developing active disease.
Tuberculin skin test is done by injecting tuberculin PPD into the surface layer of the skin. If the test is positive, a reaction will be seen at and around the place of injection or puncture. If the test is given using an injection, this reaction is usually a hard, raised area with clear margins. If the test is given using the puncture devices, the reaction is usually a swollen area at the puncture site. The size of the reaction is measured and recorded and the results of the test are studied after 48 to 72 hours.
Intraarticularly
Using knowledge of medical terminology, it can be found that an intraarticular injection is administered directly into the joint.
An intra-articular injection is typically given when a joint with localized pain (acute or chronic) has not responded to or stops responding to oral pain medication, oral anti-inflammatory medication, or other conservative treatment options. Intra-articular injections have been a treatment option for decades. Intra-articular steroid injections, specifically, have been used to treat painful joints since the 1950s and is administered directly into the joint. The medication is actually injected into the joint space for the purpose of relieving joint pain. Intra-articular steroid injections have anti-inflammatory properties and work by decreasing inflammation. Technically, intra-articular steroids decrease the number of inflammatory nerves and pain sensors and help with the release of inflammatory mediators (interleukin-1, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins). By reducing inflammatory mediators, pain is decreased too |
Most common types of intraarticular injections
Corticosteroids (steroids) were the first commonly-used substances injected into painful joints. This type of injection is seen in only patients with some form of osteoarthritis. The corticosteroids acts as an anti-inflammatory to help relieve pain in the joint.
If corticosteroid injections are helpful, symptoms may improve for weeks to months. Some people get long-term relief of 6 months or more with a single cortisone shot. If a patient has a moderate amount of fluid in the joint, their chances of responding are probably better.
Corticosteroids (steroids) were the first commonly-used substances injected into painful joints. This type of injection is seen in only patients with some form of osteoarthritis. The corticosteroids acts as an anti-inflammatory to help relieve pain in the joint.
If corticosteroid injections are helpful, symptoms may improve for weeks to months. Some people get long-term relief of 6 months or more with a single cortisone shot. If a patient has a moderate amount of fluid in the joint, their chances of responding are probably better.