What exactly is infusion therapy?
Infusion therapy is when you receive medication through a needle or catheter, usually intravenously (IV). Other kinds of infusion therapy include:
- epidural
- intramuscular
- subcutaneous
Some drugs can't be taken orally because they lose their effectiveness when exposed to your digestive system. Infusion therapy is an alternative when there's no comparable oral therapy or when you're unable to take oral medication.
If you've ever spent time in a hospital, you possibly had an IV to make sure you remained hydrated and to have other medications delivered quickly, if needed. That's a type of infusion therapy. So is an insulin pump that releases insulin just under your skin.
Infusion therapy can also be used to supply nutrition, along with several kinds of medications, including:
- antibiotics
- antiemetics
- antifungals
- antivirals
- biologics
- blood factors
- chemotherapy
- corticosteroids
- growth hormones
- immunoglobulin replacement
- immunotherapy
- inotropic heart medications
Infusion therapy is also often used since it allows for controlled dosing. Some types of chemotherapy, for example, need to be dripped slowly into the bloodstream. Other medications have to reach the bloodstream quickly in life-and-death situations such as:
- anaphylactic shock
- heart attack
- poisoning
- stroke
What kinds of conditions is it used for?
Chemotherapy is a common treatment for many kinds of cancer. While some chemotherapies are given orally, many have to be administered with an IV. Sometimes, chemotherapy medications are injected into the spine or to a certain part of the body.
Infusion therapy allows for the delivery of chemotherapy medications straight into your bloodstream. It also allows you to receive anti-nausea and other medications without the need for additional needles.
Infusion therapy isn't just for cancer, though. It's also used in the treatment of:
- autoimmune disorders
- congestive heart failure
- dehydration
- immune deficiencies
- infections that are unresponsive to oral antibiotics
- pain
It can provide powerful drugs for problems such as:
- Crohn's disease
- ulcerative colitis
- lupus
- psoriasis
- psoriatic arthritis
- rheumatoid arthritis
It can also provide medications for a wide range of conditions. Here are just a few:
- blood clotting factors for hemophilia
- immunoglobulin replacement therapy for hypergammaglobulinemia
- a "cocktail" of medications for migraine
- corticosteroids and other medications for multiple sclerosis
- platelet-rich plasma for osteoarthritis
- bisphosphonates for osteoporosis
- insulin for type 1 diabetes
- hypercoagulation disorders that can create blood clots
- severe infections such as cellulitis, pneumonia, and sepsis
What can you expect?
IV infusion therapy in Carlsbad typically takes place in a clinical setting, such as a physician's office, hospital, outpatient facility, or infusion center. Some kinds of infusion therapy can be supplied by healthcare providers in the home.
Each IV session means new needle sticks. So, if you're expected to need multiple IV therapy sessions, your physician might recommend alternatives to a standard IV line. Central lines can be inserted into your chest, arm, neck, or groin and stay for an extended time.
Another alternative is to have a port surgically implanted under your skin. In future treatments, the needle can be inserted into the port to access the vein without sticking you. The port will be surgically removed after you've finished all your treatments.
Whatever the setting, IV therapy is conducted by nurses or other trained medical professionals. The procedure requires careful monitoring, so if the procedure is going to take more than a few minutes, there is normally some sort of control mechanism attached to the line to guarantee proper delivery. Constant or remote monitoring always accompanies infusion therapy.
Depending on the medication, it may be pre-prepared or prepared just before use.
A needle will be placed into the port or a suitable vein, usually in the arm. A tube will attach it to an IV bag holding the medication. The bag will be hung to make sure that the solution drips into your bloodstream. Depending on your specific treatment, you may have multiple IV bags.
The length of each treatment depends on the medication and your particular condition. It could take thirty minutes or a few hours.
You'll usually receive plenty of fluids, so do not be surprised if you have to go to the bathroom. You'll be able to bring the IV pole with you, but be sure to tell those monitoring you first.
Once the medication dispenses, the catheter will be removed.
IV Therapy in Carlsbad
Infusion therapy is the administration of medication or fluids in a controlled procedure. It's done most often intravenously or subcutaneously.
Since the timing can be controlled, it's used to supply chemotherapy drugs and other medications that need to enter your system slowly. It can also be used to provide medications into your bloodstream quickly in the case of a life threatening emergency.
Infusion therapy is used to dispense lots of treatments for a wide variety of conditions. It's usually provided by nurses or other trained healthcare providers, usually in a clinical setting.
Speak with your healthcare provider about the possible benefits and risks of infusion therapy, and what you can do to make it as safe and effective as possible.
Linette Williamson, MD is an Integrative Medical Doctor, who specializes in helping her patients and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Carlsbad, California
Identify lifestyle factors that affect their everyday medical issues. Dr. Williamson uses cutting-edge testing to find imbalances that are related to your health problems. She will spend time with you to find out what specific issues you have and help you develop a specific plan that is unique to you.
For IV Therapy in Carlsbad, call the clinic at (760) 875-2627 or visit our website at LinetteWilliamson.com and schedule your appointment today!
.png)