Infusion treatment is a good option in the management of crohns disease when other options fail to work. Crohns disease together with ulcerative colitis are collectively referred to inflammatory bowel disease, IBD. In inflammatory bowel disease, the cells in the bowel are destroyed by the very immune system that is meant to protect it. As ironical as it sounds, it does happen to particular groups of people including smokers and those who genetically inherit it. We will look briefly at basics facts on crohns disease infusion treatment Chicago patients need to know.
Infliximab, the ideal drug for this therapy, is a biological agent that aims at minimizing the inflammatory effects of the immune system on the intestinal lining. A single session runs for about three to four hours. One does not necessarily have to be admitted to hospital to complete the intravenous administration. The drug is initially given after two weeks from the first treatment, then after six weeks. From then on, infliximab is typically administered eight weekly.
The patient is predisposed to getting infections such as tuberculosis and pneumonia given the fact infliximab is an immune suppressant. The individual can also develop allergies to the biologic drug. Patients with heart failure are at risk of deteriorating when given this infusion treatment. The doctor should, therefore, first check for heart failure sings such as leg swelling, abdominal distention and breathlessness before putting the patient on the therapy.
Allergies either within the first day or much later. Anaphylactic reactions present as palpitations, difficult breathing, fever, sweating, among other symptoms. Patients may also complain of joint and muscle aches and easy fatiguability. Reactions tend to disappear once the infusion rate is adjusted. Alternatively, drugs against anaphylaxis such as antihistamines and steroids may be used as a treatment for the side effects.
Before infusions are initiated, a brief history should be take. The doctor needs to know if one has any underlying medical conditions including cardiac disease. It should also be known whether one has been exposed to infections especially tuberculosis. If the patient is known to have allergies, prophylactic medication is given beforehand.
Once a patient qualifies for infusion treatment, the process begins with the recording of vital signs in order to establish a baseline. Next, a superficial vein through which the drug will be infused is identified. This may be very difficult particularly for patients with very small veins. In such cases, it is important to exercise patience on the side of both the patient and the doctor until a vein is found. If this exercise proves futile, the doctor can opt to use the larger veins in the neck.
Given the fact that the procedure will take quite a while, it can become quite boring just lying around doing nothing. The doctor can help relieve boredom and anxiety by chatting with them. The patient can also come along with interesting books to read. Vital signs should be documented frequently as the process goes on.
In conclusion, infusion treatment is usually indicated when other first line treatments have been used and failed. The therapy helps in minimizing symptoms and complications of inflammatory bowel disease. Given the serious side effects, it is important that the patient is closely monitored during and after the procedure.
Infliximab, the ideal drug for this therapy, is a biological agent that aims at minimizing the inflammatory effects of the immune system on the intestinal lining. A single session runs for about three to four hours. One does not necessarily have to be admitted to hospital to complete the intravenous administration. The drug is initially given after two weeks from the first treatment, then after six weeks. From then on, infliximab is typically administered eight weekly.
The patient is predisposed to getting infections such as tuberculosis and pneumonia given the fact infliximab is an immune suppressant. The individual can also develop allergies to the biologic drug. Patients with heart failure are at risk of deteriorating when given this infusion treatment. The doctor should, therefore, first check for heart failure sings such as leg swelling, abdominal distention and breathlessness before putting the patient on the therapy.
Allergies either within the first day or much later. Anaphylactic reactions present as palpitations, difficult breathing, fever, sweating, among other symptoms. Patients may also complain of joint and muscle aches and easy fatiguability. Reactions tend to disappear once the infusion rate is adjusted. Alternatively, drugs against anaphylaxis such as antihistamines and steroids may be used as a treatment for the side effects.
Before infusions are initiated, a brief history should be take. The doctor needs to know if one has any underlying medical conditions including cardiac disease. It should also be known whether one has been exposed to infections especially tuberculosis. If the patient is known to have allergies, prophylactic medication is given beforehand.
Once a patient qualifies for infusion treatment, the process begins with the recording of vital signs in order to establish a baseline. Next, a superficial vein through which the drug will be infused is identified. This may be very difficult particularly for patients with very small veins. In such cases, it is important to exercise patience on the side of both the patient and the doctor until a vein is found. If this exercise proves futile, the doctor can opt to use the larger veins in the neck.
Given the fact that the procedure will take quite a while, it can become quite boring just lying around doing nothing. The doctor can help relieve boredom and anxiety by chatting with them. The patient can also come along with interesting books to read. Vital signs should be documented frequently as the process goes on.
In conclusion, infusion treatment is usually indicated when other first line treatments have been used and failed. The therapy helps in minimizing symptoms and complications of inflammatory bowel disease. Given the serious side effects, it is important that the patient is closely monitored during and after the procedure.
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