Though winter can be a beautiful season, it also brings with it a variety of challenges, especially for those with asthma. The chilly weather can exacerbate existing asthma symptoms, leading to discomfort and potential health risks. However, with the advancement of infusion therapy treatments, there is now a solution to combat these challenges.
At Smart Infusion Therapy Services, we are dedicated to providing the latest and most effective infusion treatments for our patients. But what exactly is infusion therapy, and how can it help people with asthma?
What Is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic condition that affects your airways and their ability to carry air in and out of your lungs. If you have asthma, the inside walls of your airways can become inflamed or swollen, making it difficult to breathe.
Common symptoms of asthma include shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain, wheezing, and coughing. Like with an allergic reaction, these symptoms can range from mild to severe and, in some cases, can even be life-threatening.
Asthma flare-ups can happen at any time and be caused by a variety of triggers. Common triggers include allergens like pollen, dust mites, mold spores, and pet dander. Non-allergic triggers include smoke, pollution, cold air, exercise, or changes in the weather. In some people, asthma is triggered by certain foods or medications.
A specific subset of severe asthma called eosinophilic asthma, is characterized by high levels of eosinophils. Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that plays a key role in the body's immune system. In people with eosinophilic asthma, these cells cause an inflammatory response in the airways that is not controlled by usual asthma medications.
Why Does Asthma Get Worse in the Winter?
When you breathe in air that is warm and moist, your lungs stay elastic and flexible, allowing for proper lung function. But, during winter, the air is often cold and dry. This can be a shock to your lungs, making them tighten up in an adverse reaction called 'bronchospasm.'
It's like your lungs are trying to minimize the amount of cold air they take in, much like how you'd rush to close your door if a cold draft were blowing in. This tightening can worsen symptoms and even trigger an asthma attack.
Moreover, winter can also mean spending more time indoors away from the cold, where other asthma triggers can lurk. Dust mites, mold spores, and pet dander can accumulate in your home during the winter months, exacerbating asthma symptoms. Plus, the dryness of indoor heating systems can further irritate the airways, making it harder to breathe.
What Is Infusion Therapy?
Infusion therapy is a medical treatment that delivers medication directly into the bloodstream via an intravenous (IV) line. While oral medications are a regular course of treatment for many illnesses, certain chronic conditions require more immediate, concentrated, or specialized care that only infusion treatments can provide.
In such situations, this technique is used to allow medication to bypass the digestive system, ensuring immediate absorption and faster effects. IV infusion can be a powerful tool in managing a range of chronic conditions, from autoimmune diseases to infections that are unresponsive to oral antibiotics.
How Can Infusion Therapy Help?
Infusion therapy for asthma, particularly severe or eosinophilic asthma, can deliver specialized medications that target specific cells or proteins causing inflammation in the airways, offering hope for patients whose symptoms are not well controlled by standard asthma medications. Traditional asthma medications, like oral or inhaled corticosteroids, work to reduce inflammation in the airways after it has occurred. However, infusion therapy can work preventatively by targeting and reducing the presence of inflammatory cells or proteins in the first place. Subcutaneous injections, like Tezspire, Fesenra, and Nucala, are another option for administering biologic medications. However, they may not suit everyone due to potential discomfort or fear of self-injection. Here, infusion therapy offers a comfortable and stress-free alternative, with the procedure conducted by a healthcare professional in a controlled environment.
At Smart Infusion, we most commonly offer Cinqair for patients with asthma. Cinqair targets and neutralizes interleukin-5, a protein that stimulates the production of eosinophils. By reducing the number of these inflammatory cells in the airways, Cinqair can significantly improve asthma symptoms and decrease the risk of flare-ups.
However, some patients may have developed asthma due to a deficiency of an enzyme called alpha-1 antitrypsin. In such cases, we also offer Zemaira, an infusion therapy medication that replaces the missing enzyme. This helps to protect the lungs from damage and improve breathing.
For individuals with severe asthma or eosinophilic asthma unresponsive to inhalers or oral corticosteroids, infusion therapy can be a game-changer. It offers a more targeted and direct treatment approach, effectively controlling symptoms and preventing frequent flare-ups.
Get Started With Smart Infusion
Our experienced and compassionate Smart Infusion team is dedicated to helping patients find relief from their asthma symptoms. With a 3:1 nurse-to-patient ratio, we strive to provide personalized and high-quality care in a comfortable and safe environment.
Our infusion centers in Eau Claire, Wausau, and Madison were designed with our patients in mind. During your infusion treatment, you can relax in comfortable seating while enjoying WiFi, Hulu, snacks, and beverages. Our highly trained staff will monitor your progress and address any questions or concerns you may have.
At Smart Infusion, we're not just providing infusion treatments—we're providing a better quality of life. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our services and how we can help manage your asthma.
Are you ready to find out what infusion therapy can do for you? Schedule with Smart Infusion Therapy Services today and fill out our simple patient registration form to get started on your journey to better health. We look forward to seeing you!
