Your immune system is designed to fight off infection, battle against viruses, and keep your body healthy. But, when you have a systemic autoimmune disease — such as lupus — it can do the exact opposite. About 1.5 million Americans struggle with the disease, which is why providing a solution like biological therapy is so important.
What is lupus?
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes your immune system to attack your tissues and organs. This can cause inflammation that affects your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs. It can also cause a facial rash that may resemble the wings of a butterfly unfolding on both cheeks. Some people are born with a higher risk of developing lupus. The condition can be triggered by:
- Infections
- Certain drugs
- Sunlight
Treatment Options for Lupus
While lupus has no cure, there are treatments that can help control the symptoms. Medications can help relieve many of the symptoms, with the most common being:
- NSAIDs — whether over-the-counter or prescription, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs relieve pain and swelling while reducing fevers
- Antimalarial drugs — typically used to treat malaria, they can help decrease the risk of lupus flares
- Corticosteroids — to counter inflammation and control diseases that impact the kidneys and brain
- Immunosuppressants — to prevent the immune system from attacking
In addition to medications, lupus can also be treated with biological infusion therapy. Biologics are a newer case of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs that are capable of relieving symptoms — especially for cases of resistant lupus. They’re a different kind of medication that can be extremely effective.
What is biological therapy treatment?
Unlike other medications taken orally, biological infusion therapy is administered using an IV. It’s the ideal solution for those who have issues taking medications or haven’t found relief from taking medications. Biological therapy treatment targets the parts of the immune system that are triggering inflammation and causing damages. The most common biologic agents for lupus are:
How Biological Treatment Works
Biological therapy treatment is an infusion therapy treatment — and so it works similarly. The drug is administered via an IV is inserted into your arm. The medication slowly drips through the tube and directly into your bloodstream. How long your treatment takes depends on the type of medication administered.
Side Effects of Biological Treatment
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Infections
- Chills
- Fever
- Muscle aches
What to Expect
As soon as you walk through the doors of any of our facilities, you’ll immediately notice that we offer a welcoming and comfortable environment. We provide treatment rooms that are designed to make you feel at home — cozy reclining chairs, blankets, WiFi, hot cocoa, coffee, tea, and water. You are also welcome to bring your refreshments of choice.
Before starting your first biological therapy session, you’ll meet with one of our healthcare professionals, who will explain the entire process, along with information regarding dosages, length of treatment, and possible side effects. You can also take this time to ask any questions you may have.
If you would like to refer a patient to us or want to inquire about the treatments we offer, you can contact us by calling us at (616) 954-0600 or filling out this form.