What You Need to Know About Infusion Therapy

It’s no secret that the body is a complex organism that requires specialized care. In some cases, the medication that our body needs to help with chronic conditions or diseases aren’t always effective. But, did you know that it may not be that the medication is not effective, but rather that your body is not able to effectively take that medication? Enter infusions: a safe way to allow proper absorptions of the medicine that you need to help treat your gastrointestinal condition. Certain diseases prohibit the body from consuming or ingesting medications, so in order to deliver what your body needs, many gastroenterologists rely on infusion therapy.

At Birmingham Gastroenterology Associates, we prioritize our customer’s comfort, safety, and satisfaction. This is why we are proud to offer infusion therapy as a way to treat conditions that cannot be treated by traditional oral medications. To offer some more information on what infusions can do, and how they work, we are devoting some time to explain everything you need to know about infusion therapy.  

What is Infusion Therapy?

Infusion therapy is when medication is administered directly into the vein via an IV. This treatment can help reduce inflammation or flare-ups associated with autoimmune inflammatory conditions. Infusions are also used when a digestive disorder prohibits the body from absorbing medication that is taken orally. The primary goal of infusion therapy is for the medication to perfuse into the body, or a specific area of the body, at a specific absorption rate. Infusions allow for medications to be absorbed at a quicker rate than other available methods.

How does infusion therapy work?

As previously mentioned, infusion therapy uses an IV to administer the medication directly into the vein to allow for quick absorption. Once the healthcare provider inserts the catheter into the vein, the tube is taped in place to avoid injury. Typically, full doses of medicine are not given at one time, but rather an IV pump is used to carefully control the amount of medication entering the bloodstream at one time. 

What are the benefits of infusion therapy?

In addition to quicker and more complete absorption, it can be extremely effective for conditions that would otherwise not receive the full benefit of their medication. Certain conditions that can benefit from infusions include:

• gastrointestinal tract infections 
• Crohn’s disease
• ulcerative colitis
• inflammatory bowel disease

What to expect

At Birmingham Gastroenterology Associates, we offer a comfortable infusion suite that features Wi-Fi, TVs, reclining chairs, and snacks to help you pass the time while you receive your infusion. Depending on your medication, an infusion can last anywhere from one to three hours.

Consult a Gastroenterologist

Birmingham Gastroenterology Associates offers infusion therapy at our Homewood office. Our infusion staff works closely with your BGA physician to deliver your care, and answer any questions you may have. The team at BGA has decades of experience treating diseases and disorders in all parts of the digestive system. To make an appointment to discuss your symptoms and the best lifestyle for living with Crohn’s disease, call us at (205) 271-8000.