For those who are not familiar with autoimmune diseases, they are diseases that cause the immune system to attack the body rather than protect it. Ordinarily, the immune system identifies cells that the body needs to function properly and removes the ones that might trigger health problems, such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. To expound on this even further, it is not uncommon for the immune system to identify an individual’s joints or skin as being foreign objects. When this happens, the autoimmune system will release autoantibodies as a way to attack what it perceives as a health threat. And this misguided attempt at protecting the body often gives way to a number of unpleasant symptoms, including fatigue, joint pain, and skin problems.
WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO THOSE STRUGGLING WITH AN AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE?
Many autoimmune diseases can prompt the immune system to attack the body. Therefore, treatment options can vary depending on an individual’s diagnosis. According to the National Institutes of Health, some of the most common autoimmune diseases include
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Type 1 diabetes
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Lupus
Many medications prescribed to treat autoimmune diseases are effective at decreasing immune activity in the body. However, they do not provide a cure as autoimmune diseases are incurable. One of the medications commonly used to provide relief from autoimmune disease symptoms is corticosteroids, an immunosuppressant that decreases immune activity and controls inflammation. Biologic medications like Actemra and Rituxan, for example, are also used to treat autoimmune diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis.
VITAMIN INFUSION TREATMENTS TO COMBAT AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE SYMPTOMS
Along with corticosteroids and biologic medications, vitamin IV infusions treatments are also used to combat symptoms related to an autoimmune disease. These treatments entail administering vitamins and minerals directly into a patient’s veins as a way to ease autoimmune disease-related symptoms. This relatively new approach to treating symptoms related to autoimmune diseases is growing in popularity among those who are either averse to taking oral medications or have digestive problems that make taking them difficult. While the epidemiology of most autoimmune diseases is not entirely clear, most doctors, nutritionists, and even dieticians agree that a poor diet is one of the contributing factors. That being said, it stands to reason that balancing out the vitamin and mineral deficiencies would help provide relief from symptoms related to an autoimmune disease.
HOW DO VITAMIN IV INFUSION TREATMENTS WORK?
When it comes to vitamin IV infusion, the vitamins and minerals used in these treatments are fully absorbed into a patient’s bloodstream. By comparison, when taken orally, they are filtered through the digestive system. And this process makes them not only less potent but also less effective in easing autoimmune disease-related symptoms. Studies show that once the vitamins and minerals used in these treatments are injected into a patient’s veins and released into their bloodstream, they quickly start to reduce the inflammation that triggers most autoimmune-system related symptoms. And the benefits of vitamin IV infusion treatments do not end there. Many of these IV treatments contain antioxidants that help remove free radical and toxins from the body, both of which are known to make autoimmune-system related symptoms worse.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A VITAMIN IV INFUSION TREATMENT
First and foremost, if you have an autoimmune disease and have been thinking about undergoing vitamin IV infusion treatments to help ease your symptoms, it is important to do your due diligence and find a licensed and experienced physician. It may also be a good idea to seek treatment with a physician that specializes in treating autoimmune disorders. That said, to start these treatments, most physicians will begin by running a series of tests to determine the patient’s level of deficiency relative to certain vitamins and minerals. This information will enable them to create a customized treatment that can help correct any imbalances that they have. With that, one of the most common vitamin IV fusion treatments consists of weekly injections of high doses of vitamin C and glutathione, an antioxidant that helps the body make protein. Many vitamin IV infusion treatments also include the use of B12 and B-complex vitamins, both of which can boost energy.
BOTTOM LINE
In summation, vitamin IV fusion treatments are highly effective at relieving autoimmune disease-related symptoms. And best of all, they don’t take long. Most of these treatments typically last between 15 and 90 minutes. To learn more about how vitamin IV fusion treatments can help with autoimmune diseases, consider scheduling a consultation today. Call us now at 205-352-9141.