Contents
Photopheresis is one of the methods of hemocorrection. Its main purpose is to influence the cells of the immune system with the help of ultraviolet radiation. Before this procedure, it is necessary to treat the cells of the immune system with special substances that will increase their sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation.
With the help of photopheresis, you can restore the properties of lymphocytes and stop the aggressive process against your own tissues and organs.
After the procedure, the functionality of the immune system becomes completely opposite. Ultraviolet rays are able to eliminate all provoking factors that led to autoimmune inflammation of various localization. But the anti-inflammatory processes begin to activate. As a result, autoimmune inflammation subsides and a period of long-term remission begins.
When repeated autoimmune inflammation occurs, it already proceeds with a less intense character. As a result of such treatment, the patient can fully live and work. Also, with the help of this technique, it is possible to prevent the patient’s disability. After other similar procedures, the patient may experience a decrease in the most important functions in the body, namely, anti-infective and anti-cancer.
What is the purpose of photopheresis?
When an autoimmune pathological process begins in the human body, the immune system begins to behave aggressively towards its own body. It also increases the activity of cells and various substances that can affect their own tissue and organ. And those cells that can interfere with such processes, on the contrary, subside and do nothing.
Therefore, we can conclude that in order to reduce or stop chronic autoimmune inflammation, it is necessary to stop the aggressive autoimmune process by all means. To do this, doctors prescribe special drugs that can inhibit the functions of the immune system of the human body.
As a result of taking medications, we cause the immune system to malfunction. Thus, the ability to fight infectious diseases and the appearance of various neoplasms, including malignant ones, is significantly reduced.
Also, drug treatment can result in serious complications, namely, metabolic disorders, impaired hematopoiesis, damage to bone marrow cells and other vital organs and systems.
What is the purpose of photopheresis?
This procedure is prescribed to patients in order to:
- stop and reduce the manifestation of symptoms of the pathological process;
- achieve stable remission and increase its duration in chronic pathologies;
- normalize or improve blood counts;
- normalize or improve the data of instrumental research;
- exclude possible disability;
- reduce the dosage of prescribed medications.
How to prepare for the procedure?
Before prescribing this procedure, the patient needs to pass some tests that will help exclude or confirm the presence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and the human immunodeficiency virus in the body. If the tests did not confirm the presence of these diseases, then the patient is interviewed. The doctor explains to him how everything will go and what complications are possible after the procedure. If the patient agrees, he signs the relevant document and writes a statement that he voluntarily wants to undergo a photopheresis procedure in this medical institution.
There is no special preparation for the procedure. The only thing is that the patient must drink three tablets of ammifurin.
Sometimes before the procedure it is necessary to donate blood for some tests. In this case, the patient should not eat anything in the morning. Eating is allowed only after all tests have been passed.
How is photopheresis performed?
In most cases, photopheresis is a long-term therapy for autoimmune pathological processes. Treatment consists of several cycles. In each cycle there are two procedures (two days). Before the second cycle, you must wait one week. Before the third – two weeks, and before the fourth, respectively, three weeks.
According to various indications, doctors can increase or decrease the time interval between procedures. In such cases, the doctor is guided by the results of clinical manifestations.
If you constantly carry out such a procedure, then you can avoid serious exacerbations and the duration of autoimmune processes. There are two procedures in one cycle. Procedures are done two days in a row.
The duration between cycles can vary from seven to thirty days. The duration of the procedure depends on how much blood is processed and what condition the patient is in. On average, one procedure takes four hours.
As a rule, a patient with a similar diagnosis should be on permanent treatment. If for some reason the patient does not have such an opportunity, then you need to monitor his condition.
Basically, treatment begins at a time when the disease begins to worsen. The main thing is not to miss this moment. Otherwise, the outcome may be sad.
Photopheresis refers to independent therapeutic measures, but if there are serious indications, then the doctor may additionally prescribe cryoapheresis, cascade filtration of blood plasma, and immunosorption. These procedures help remove antibodies from the blood that are produced by lymphocytes.