Medicine is a dynamic field that is constantly developing and improving. It has been shown that drugs that were previously considered to be solely good for one thing may also be used to treat various other conditions. One of those medications that have been proven to cure more disorders than the one they were initially intended for is ketamine.
In addition to its potential use as an anesthetic, ketamine is also showing results as a therapy for conditions such as severe depression and cancer-related neuropathic pain. For people who are suffering from mental health concerns or chronic pain, ketamine infusion therapies may be able to assist.
What Are The Benefits Of Ketamine Infusions?
Patients suffering from significant depression and other mental health concerns are the most prevalent beneficiaries of ketamine infusion therapy treatments. Ketamine infusions are a fast-acting alternative to typical mental health therapies that often take months to work.
Many individuals might feel their symptoms have started to subside shortly after the initiation of ketamine infusion therapy. Because ketamine infusions work so fast, people with suicidal ideation or severe depression should consider them.
There are also various applications for those battling chronic pain. Some of the forms of pain that may be addressed with ketamine infusion include:
- Neuropathic complaints include Chemotherapy-induced
- Induced by nerve damage (from surgery or an accident)
- Diabetic
- Pain in the neck and back that won’t go away
- Fibromyalgia
- The syndrome of chronic localized pain in the extremities (CRPS)
Advantages Of Treatment With Ketamine Infusion Therapy
Patients who use ketamine infusion to treat depression or chronic pain often see the most significant improvement in their mental health. Patients who have exhausted all other therapy options may benefit from ketamine infusions. Ketamine infusion therapy may help some people have a more normal, pain-free, or pain-reduced life.
Compared to other pain management treatments, the procedure is almost painless for the patient. The procedure does not need surgery. This may be an excellent option for patients who have tried medicine, treatment, and surgery without success or who are afraid of surgery.
How Does The Therapy Work?
For the patient, ketamine infusions are relatively straightforward. The patient gets hooked up to an IV at the doctor’s office. Ketamine and saline are mixed in the IV. Ketamine flows via an IV for an hour to several hours, depending on the doctor’s office and the dose.
During the 30-minute recovery time following the infusion, the patient may rest comfortably in the doctor’s office. After treatment, the patient should have a friend or family member drive them home since they may be confused and exhausted. Within the first three sessions, most patients begin to see results.
Possible Side Effects
Ketamine infusion therapy has the potential adverse effects, as do many other treatments. Side effects include:
- Diabetic hypertension
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- A problem with your liver
- Disruptions in one’s perception
- Time may seem to be moving at a snail’s pace or rush quickly at a breakneck
- Colors, textures, and sounds elicit an additional level of interest.
- Vision is blurry
- Out-of-Body Experiences, also known as dissociation
After the infusions, the side effects are usually gone within a few days. To avoid serious adverse effects, ketamine should only be administered under the guidance and supervision of a healthcare expert.
For many patients, ketamine infusion therapy has shown to be a potential alternative to more conventional treatments that have been ineffective. Whether you’re considering ketamine infusion therapy, talk to your doctor to discover if you’re a good candidate.