People who have chronic abdominal health conditions such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and even iron deficiency anemia can all benefit from infusion services. These infusions are done to help treat gastrointestinal conditions and improve your symptoms.
Many people with digestive issues or stomach pain also tend to suffer from malabsorption of nutrients from the food they eat. For many of these people, the best way – and for some, the only way – to achieve proper absorption of nutrients is through an infusion. Your doctor will explain and provide this service.
For an infusion, the patient sits down, the thin IV (intravenous) needle is inserted by a medical professional into a vein (usually in the arm), and the patient relaxes while the contents of the IV bag empty into their bloodstream. It is a good idea to bring a book or tablet to keep yourself occupied during the treatment.
Types of Infusions for Gastrointestinal Issues
There are several different types of gastroenterological infusions that can effectively treat chronic GI conditions, including the following:
Remicade Infusion for Crohn’s, Colitis, or RA
Remicade is an infusion that can treat patients who have ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, or rheumatoid arthritis. These infusions are for people who have not responded well to less-invasive treatments for their condition.
This treatment helps to decrease inflammation caused by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other similar conditions. It can also help decrease symptoms and even help the patient reach remission.
This infusion treatment lasts for three hours in the physician’s office or clinic. This therapy cannot be given to people who have certain infections or pre-existing conditions.
Entyvio Infusion for Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s Disease
This is a relatively new type of infusion treatment, and it works by blocking factors that contribute to flare-ups of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Entyvio takes two hours per treatment, and it is performed once every two months. Like Remicade, Entyvio tends to work very well in patients for whom other treatments have not worked.
Stelara Treats Crohn’s Disease
If you have Crohn’s disease and your body is not responding to Entyvio, Remicade, and other treatments, Stelara is an excellent option. Stelara is geared to target two proteins that are believed to cause the gastrointestinal inflammation of Crohn’s disease.
The initial dose is a two-hour IV infusion, and from then on you would come and receive subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injections once every two months. You may also give the injections to yourself at home, once you are trained to do so if desired. One benefit of this therapy is that it requires only one IV treatment, and the rest is simple and quick injections just once every eight weeks.
Iron Infusion for Iron-Deficiency Anemia
If you have an iron deficiency, an iron infusion will help to alleviate the symptoms of anemia. This is particularly true for patients who cannot absorb iron through more traditional methods, such as supplements.
Each infusion treatment is administered as necessary per your iron levels. The treatment can take several hours, and it may be repeated as necessary according to how you are progressing with the therapy.
Gastroenterology in Greater Cleveland
If you have frequent gastrointestinal problems, or if you would like to have a digestive issue evaluated, contact our friendly and knowledgeable team at North Shore Gastroenterology & Endoscopy Centers. Our gastroenterologists have decades of experience, and we can quickly diagnose your health issue and provide treatment that works.
Contact us today by calling (440) 808-1212 or request an appointment online, and let us help you get the GI treatment you need to make you feel as good as new.
