Did you know that nearly 54 million adults in the United States are affected by arthritis, with symptoms often exacerbating as the temperatures fall? Winter can be a tough time for arthritis sufferers, as the cold can lead to increased joint pain and stiffness. But there's hope through innovative therapy options that can help mitigate these challenges.

At Smart Infusion, we specialize in expert infusion therapy care across the Wisconsin area. Our dedicated team is committed to reducing arthritis pain and improving mobility for arthritis patients, ensuring a comfortable and personalized experience. With modern facilities and an empathetic staff, we'll make your treatment journey smooth and supportive. Don’t let arthritis flare-ups control your life—schedule an appointment today to see how we can help you be more active and pain-free.

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In this blog, we’ll explore how infusion therapy can be an effective solution for managing arthritis flare-ups during the colder months.

Understanding Arthritis and Its Challenges in Winter

Arthritis is a chronic condition that causes inflammation and stiffness in the joints, leading to pain, limited mobility, and reduced quality of life. While there are over 100 different types of arthritis, the most common ones are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Both OA and RA can worsen during winter due to various factors such as:

Cold temperatures: Cold weather can cause your body to go into 'protective mode,' directing blood flow away from the extremities towards vital organs. This means less blood circulation to already inflamed joints, causing more pain and stiffness.
Barometric pressure changes: Changes in barometric pressure (air pressure) can also affect joints, causing pain and discomfort. This is because changes in barometric pressure can cause tendons, muscles, and bones to expand or contract, leading to added stress on inflamed joints.
Changes in physical activity levels: During cold weather, you may be less inclined to engage in physical activities due to pain and other symptoms associated with arthritis. This decrease in movement can further exacerbate joint stiffness and discomfort.

Millions of US adults are affected by arthritis, making it the leading cause of disability in the country. Winter's challenges only add to the burden that arthritis patients face, highlighting the need for effective treatment options.

What is Infusion Therapy?

Infusion therapy is a medical treatment that involves administering medication directly into the bloodstream through a vein. This method is particularly beneficial for patients who cannot take oral medications or when the medication needs to work quickly and efficiently.

Infusion therapy provides a way for drugs to be absorbed faster, ensuring that they take effect without delay. This approach is crucial for managing chronic conditions, such as arthritis, where timely and effective relief from symptoms is required.

The Benefits of Infusion Therapy for Arthritis

Here's how infusion infusion treatment can help manage arthritis symptoms during winter:

Eliminates pain: Infusion therapy can provide relief from inflammation quickly, reducing joint pain and discomfort in arthritis patients.
Stabilizes immune system: In rheumatoid arthritis patients, their body’s immune system attacks healthy cells, causing inflammation and damage to joints. Infusion therapy helps stabilize this overactive immune response, reducing the frequency and severity of flare-ups.
Minimizes side effects: Infusion therapy avoids potential side effects that may occur with oral drugs, such as stomach irritation or liver problems. It also minimizes the risk of drug interactions that can occur when taking multiple medications.
Improves mobility: By reducing arthritis and inflammation, infusion therapy can help increase joint mobility and range of motion, making daily tasks easier to manage for arthritis patients.
More consistent medication levels: Infusion therapy provides a steady release of medication, ensuring that patients have more stable and predictable symptom relief compared to oral medications, which can cause peaks and valleys in drug concentration.

Tips for Managing Arthritis Flare-Ups in Cold Weather

While infusion therapy can significantly help in managing arthritis symptoms, complementing treatments with practical lifestyle adjustments can offer enhanced relief.

Here are some tips to help manage arthritis flare-ups during the colder months:

Warming exercises: Engage in gentle, warming exercises like walking, stretching, or yoga. These activities help maintain joint flexibility and improve blood circulation, which can ease stiffness and reduce pain. Remember to start slow and gradually increase the intensity based on your comfort level.
Protective clothing: Keeping your body warm is crucial. Wear layers of soft, breathable fabrics and ensure to cover your extremities with gloves and thermal socks. Consider using heated garments or hand warmers to help maintain joint warmth during outdoor activities.
Dietary suggestions: A balanced diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods can support joint health. Incorporate omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, nuts, and seeds, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables, which are high in antioxidants. Staying hydrated is also essential, as dehydration can increase joint stiffness.
Self-care practices: Regular self-care practices such as warm baths, massages, or using a heating pad can alleviate joint pain. Meditative activities like deep breathing or mindfulness can also help manage stress, which may exacerbate arthritis symptoms.
Devices or tools: Adaptive tools like jar openers, electric can openers, or ergonomic utensils can ease strain on the joints. Consider investing in a humidifier to maintain moisture in the air, which can help alleviate joint pain exacerbated by dry winter conditions.

Infusion Therapy for Arthritis at Smart Infusion

At Smart Infusion, we offer infusion therapy for arthritis patients in a comfortable and convenient setting. Our experienced team of healthcare professionals provides personalized care to ensure that each patient receives the best treatment for their condition.

Here are some of the Intravenous medications available throughour infusion therapy services:

Cimzia: Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) is a subcutaneous injection prescribed for the treatment of rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis. It blocks certain proteins that cause the disease, helping to reduce joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and skin symptoms.
Remicade: Remicade (infliximab) is an intravenous medication prescribed to treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and other autoimmune diseases. It blocks proteins associated with inflammation, relieving joint pain and stiffness while slowing disease progression.
Ruxience: Ruxience (tocilizumab-aqqg biosimilar of rituximab) is an intravenous therapy for rheumatoid arthritis in adults. It reduces signs and symptoms like pain and swelling and slows disease progression by preventing B-cells from producing inflammatory molecules.
Avsola: Avsola (infliximab-axxq, mavrilimumab remicade biosimilar) helps reduce signs and symptoms of active rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis in adults. It prevents cells from producing inflammatory molecules, relieving pain and swelling, and slowing disease progression when used with other medications.
Truxima: Truxima (rituximab-abbs biosimilar) treats moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in adults unresponsive to other treatments. It prevents B-cells from producing inflammatory molecules, reducing inflammation.
Inflectra: Inflectra (infliximab-dyyb, biosimilar of Remicade) is a biologic therapy that reduces chronic inflammation in rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, relieving pain, stiffness, swelling, and skin manifestations while slowing disease progression.
Actemra: Actemra (tocilizumab) treats active moderate-to-severe adult rheumatoid arthritis by blocking IL-6 to prevent the production of inflammatory molecules, reducing pain, swelling, fatigue, and slowing disease activity over time.
Orencia: Orencia (abatacept) reduces inflammation in moderate-to-severe RA and PsA, making movement easier by preventing B-cells from producing inflammatory molecules, thus reducing joint stiffening and swelling.
Rituxan: Rituxan (rituximab) is used in treating moderate-to-severe adult rheumatoid arthritis that hasn't responded to previous therapies. It inhibits certain white blood cells, reducing inflammation, joint swelling, and stiffness by preventing B-cells from producing inflammatory molecules.
Simponi Aria: Simponi Aria (golimumab) is an intravenous medication for moderately-to-severely active RA and PsA in adults. It prevents the immune system from attacking joint tissues, reducing inflammation, pain, stiffness, and skin manifestations.
Renflexis: Renflexis (infliximab-adba, Remicade biosimilar) manages moderate-to-severe adult RA and PsA. It prevents the immune system from attacking joint tissues, lowering inflammation, pain, stiffness, and skin symptoms.

Our team is ready to assist you in finding the most suitable treatment plan to enhance your quality of life and manage arthritis symptoms effectively year-round.

What to Expect During an Infusion Session

At Smart Infusion, we aim to make your infusion therapy experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible. Here's what you can expect during your session:

Equipment Setup: Our team will handle all the preparations, including the setup of medication and equipment necessary for your infusion.
Administration of Medication: Our skilled nurses will administer your medication carefully, ensuring it’s delivered at the proper rate to optimize its effectiveness.
Monitoring: We will keep a close watch on your vital signs and the progress of your infusion throughout the session to ensure your safety and well-being.
Comfort Measures: We recognize that infusion therapy might come with some discomfort or anxiety. To ease this, our facility offers comfortable seating, entertainment, and snacks during the infusion process to enhance your overall experience.

Why Choose Smart Infusion for Your Arthritis Treatment

Managing arthritis during the winter can be challenging, but choosing the right infusion therapy center can make a significant difference in symptom relief. At Smart Infusion, we are committed to providing comprehensive care tailored to your needs.

Here’s what sets us apart:

Experienced Staff: Our team comprises skilled professionals specializing in administering infusion therapy, ensuring you receive the best care possible.
Comfortable Environment: We provide a welcoming and relaxing setting to make your infusion sessions as comfortable as possible.
Personalized Treatment Plans: We work with you to create a customized infusion therapy plan that addresses your specific arthritis symptoms and lifestyle.
Convenient Location: Our center is easily accessible, making it simple for you to schedule and attend your therapy sessions.
Continued Support: We offer ongoing support and follow-up to help you manage your arthritis effectively throughout the winter months.

Experience Relief and Comfort with Smart Infusion

Choosing Smart Infusion for your arthritis treatment ensures you receive expert care tailored to managing your symptoms effectively. Our commitment to personalized infusion therapy can significantly improve your quality of life.

Schedule an apppointment with Smart Infusion to explore our comprehensive arthritis management services. Let our dedicated team support your journey towards a more comfortable and fulfilling daily experience.