Infusion Therapy for Ulcerative Colitis Q&A

An ulcerative colitis condition causes inflammation and ulcers in the large intestine. This condition falls under the category of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). There is often diarrhea with blood, cramping, and urgency associated with it. You might need to go to the bathroom at night because of these symptoms.

A person with ulcerative colitis usually experiences inflammation in the area around their anus (where they expel their poop). Inflammation can spread throughout your colon and affect a portion of it. A condition known as ulcerative proctitis occurs when inflammation occurs in your rectum and lower colon. The disease is known as pancolitis if it affects your entire large intestine. This is known as limited or distal colitis if only one side of your colon is affected.

Inflammation and location determine the severity of ulcerative colitis, it’s different for everyone. There may be severe inflammation in your rectum (small area) or very mild inflammation throughout your colon (large area).

If you have ulcerative colitis, you may experience flare-ups (active disease), which make your symptoms worse. It is possible to have few to no symptoms during times of remission. Long-term remission (years) is the goal of treatments.

Approximately half of the patients with ulcerative colitis have mild symptoms. Fever, bloody diarrhea, nausea, and severe abdominal cramps are among the symptoms experienced by others. Additionally, ulcerative colitis may lead to arthritis, eye inflammation, liver disease, and osteoporosis. There is no known reason why these problems occur outside of your colon. The immune system may trigger inflammation causing these complications. When colitis is treated, some of these issues disappear.

In most cases, ulcerative colitis begins between the ages of 15 and 30, and less frequently between 50 and 70. It appears to run in families and affects both sexes equally.

Those suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, who have not responded to other medications may take Remicade (infliximab) infusion. Also, Remicade is used to treat psoriasis and various joint disorders.

A protein called TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) is overproduced by your immune system in cases of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). You get gastrointestinal (GI) problems when your immune system attacks healthy cells. A blockade of TNF-alpha prevents inflammation with Remicade.

Remicade requires only six treatments a year after the initial three starter doses, so you will receive Remicade once every eight weeks. However, it is possible that your treatments will vary slightly from others depending on the severity and nature of the condition being experienced.

In contrast to other medications, Remicade works by targeting a specific protein in the body’s immune system that controls inflammation. It is effective in reducing signs and symptoms, inducing and maintaining remission, promoting intestinal healing, and reducing or stopping the need for steroids. Remicade usually induces a period of remission, or a period of inactivity in the disease process, in people who take it to treat their IBD symptoms.

Infusions of Remicade are administered intravenously (IV). The dosage depends on the severity of your ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, as well as your weight. You will receive a dose based on your provider’s recommendation.
 
As part of the preparation, the nurse will clean the area around your arm with rubbing alcohol. An IV needle will be inserted and taped in place. Your bloodstream will be infused with Remicade. A 30-minute monitoring of vital signs will take place during the infusion. Nurses or other healthcare providers will closely monitor you during the infusion. In most cases, this process takes about two hours.
 
We can help in the treatment of ulcerative colitis flare-ups ranging from mild to severe. For more information, contact us or request an appointment online. We serve patients from Rosedale MD, Baltimore MD, Columbia MD, Glen Burnie MD, Catonsville MD, North Baltimore MD, Edgewater MD, Parkville MD, Middle River MD, Dundalk MD, Halethrope MD, Ellicott City MD, Laurel MD, Hebbville MD, and Woodlawn MD.