Infusion therapy is the process of medication directly into the bloodstream through a needle or catheter. This type of administration is often the best choice when medication can’t be taken through the digestive system as it may lose its effectiveness, or if a person is unable to take medication by mouth. Also, this method of administration is often prescribed to those who don’t respond well to medications that are generally taken orally.
According to Transparency Market Research, the global infusion therapy market is anticipated to grow from $41.7 billion in 2021 to $78.9 billion in 2031. This is due to an increase in the global prevalence of chronic health conditions such as gastrointestinal health issues. There are three main methods of administration for infusion therapy, namely intravenous (IV) injection, intramuscular (IM) injection, and subcutaneous (SQ) injection. An IV injection is delivered directly into the vein; an IM injection is administered into a specific muscle; and an SQ injection is injected into the tissue under the skin. Read on to find out more about infusion therapy as well as the emotional comfort of having this method of administration conducted at a certified infusion center.
Infusion therapy is administered by qualified health professionals at doctor’s offices, hospitals, or standalone infusion centers. Many often choose to get their infusions at dedicated infusion centers. These facilities tend to have more privacy and comfort than hospitals, and they also tend to be less expensive, particularly for ongoing treatments over a long-term period.
Duration of Infusion Therapy
The length of each treatment is determined by the medication used for the condition being treated. The timing of the administration can be carefully regulated so medications that require a slow rate of delivery can be administered safely over a few hours. These slower infusions are generally used to treat various types of chronic conditions. On the other hand, conditions that require delivery of the medication at a faster rate can also be administered, usually in less than an hour.
Promoting Emotional Well-Being
Regardless of how long infusion therapy may take, the team of highly skilled nurses at an infusion center will ensure that the procedure is relaxing and comfortable. Many infusion centers offer a welcoming environment with a number of benefits and amenities that help ensure emotional wellness during infusion therapy.
But no matter where you get your infusion, there are some things you should consider before and during your infusion in order to be emotionally well. First, you should speak with your physician about your treatment and the realistic outlook of your condition even with treatment. Some people may experience negativity if they go into infusion treatments particularly recurring infusion treatments if they have unrealistic expectations.
You should also consider bringing some form of entertainment while you get your treatment, especially if your infusion facility doesn’t offer TV, books, or the like. Consider bringing a book, a newspaper, or a tablet. Whatever form of entertainment you bring, you want to make sure it doesn’t require much movement since you will be attached to an IV.
If infusion therapy is decided to be the best method of administration and a person has anxiety about injections, a healthcare provider can help. The fear of needles is not uncommon among adults as was shown in a review that found 20-30% of young adults have a fear of injections or needles. Patients with anxiety about needles are encouraged to speak to a nurse at the infusion center. A qualified nurse will be able to make the treatment procedure more comfortable.
Conditions Treated with Infusion Therapy
Infusion therapy is used to treat various complex medical conditions, especially when other methods haven’t been successful. Also, in many cases, infusion therapy is the preferred method due to the individual needs of a patient. The following list includes some of the chronic conditions that infusion therapy is used to treat:
- Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIPD)
- Common variable immunodeficiency
- Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
- Migraines
- Multiple sclerosis
- Myasthenia gravis
- Plaque psoriasis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Single-dose antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal injections
Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) and subcutaneous immune globulin (SCIG) can be administered at an infusion center. Immune globulin reduces or prevents the severity of infections as it contains antibodies that strengthen the immune system.
Conditions like CIPD and common variable immunodeficiency can be treated with an immune globulin injection. The administration of immune globulin is usually started at a slow rate to monitor potential side effects. The rate of administration can be increased according to a person’s individual response to treatment.
Infusion therapy has a higher absorption rate than medications that are taken by mouth as there isn’t a need for the treatment to be absorbed through the digestive system. This type of therapy provides quicker relief from symptoms related to chronic health conditions. Because of this, infusion therapy centers often collaborate with specialists in fields like rheumatology, dermatology, gastroenterology, and neurology.
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