An autoimmune disorder, Guillain-Barre syndrome occurs when the body’s immune system erroneously attacks particular parts of the nervous system for unknown reasons. Commonly referred to as GBS, the unsystematic attacks cause nerve inflammation, leading to muscle fatigue and exhaustion. Unfamiliar with what causes GBS, research has traced the disease to most often precede a minor […]
Tag Archives | IVIg
National Nurses Week
It is National Nurses Week! National Nurses Week is celebrated from May 6 to May 12. May 12 is an important date in nursing history because it is the birthday of Florence Nightingale who is founder of modern nursing. The theme of this year’s National Nurses Week is Nurses Trusted to Care!
Hypogammaglobulinemia – An Overview
All right, before we go any further, let’s start with the seemingly impossible task of pronouncing this condition: “hypo-gamma-globulin-emia.” Now that we have that part out of the way, we can talk a little bit more about this disorder. Hypogammaglobulinemia, also known as Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID), is a disorder that falls into the category […]
How Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) Helps With Alzheimer’s Disease
A small, 18-month study conducted by the American Academy of Neurology found that patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease showed a significant slowing in cognitive decline as well as reduction in ventricular enlargement, a consequence of brain atrophy, after intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment. IVIG is also used for treatment of immune deficiencies, inflammatory diseases […]
Calming your child’s anxiety over needles and infusions
Last December we blogged about the importance of preparing your child for IVIg. This post will outline specific ways to help ease them physically and emotionally before beginning the process of infusions. Fear of needles is typical with children – in fact, one in 10 children are so afraid of needles that it is debilitating. […]
Diabetic Patients Considering IVIg Treatment
Like other autoimmune diseases, such as Crohn’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) can be treated with intravenous immunoglobulin, or IVIg, therapy. Of course, with every specific disorder, there are precautions that should be taken in order for the treatment to work most effectively. Considerations: There are a few considerations […]
Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month in Austin
The Myasthenia Gravis Support Group of Central Texas will be raising awareness about Myasthenia Gravis for the month of June. In celebration of this there will be an art exhibit at the Spicewood Springs Branch of the Austin Public Library. The work of Enisa Bravo will be on display. There will be a reception on […]
History of IVIg
Intravenous immune globulins (IVIg) have become common in treating immunodeficiences, autoimmune disorders and rheumatologic conditions. Obviously research and testing occurred to produce these solutions that certain people are so thankful for, but what exactly led to the development of IVIg? Immunoglobulin G (IgG) was first identified in 1944, and through the late 1970s the product […]
NC Myasthenia Gravis Support Group
The Central North Carolina Myasthenia Gravis Support Group will be holding a meeting on May 1. For more information about the group and the meeting please visit their Web site. Myasthenia Gravis is an autoimmune neuromuscular condition in which there is a loss of voluntary muscle control. There are several treatment options for people living […]
Understanding the Side Effects of IVIg
It is no secret that Intravenous Immunoglobin (IVIg) is crucial in supplying antibodies to people with autoimmune disorders. The benefits of the treatment far outweigh any negative side effects, but it is still important to be aware of such effects and to be able to react accordingly. Possible side effects of IVIg include: • Headaches […]
