TNF Alpha - What You Need to Know About Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Drugs
Over the last decade or so there have been some amazing developments in the treatment of chronic inflammatory and auto immune related diseases.
A significant milestone in the treatment of conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, psoriasis, and other chronic inflammatory conditions is the development of Tumor Necrosis Factor or TNF Alpha inhibitors.
These medications fall into a new class of drugs called biologics and they have been extremely effective in treating the underlying cause of these cause of these conditions.
TNF Alpha is a protein (more specifically a pro-inflammatory cytokine) that is produced when the immune system recognizes a threat to the body.
In cases such as auto immune related conditions, the body mistakes healthy cells as foreign "invading" cells and mistakenly sends these cytokines to destroy and eliminate otherwise healthy normal cells.
Medical scientists are still trying to determine exactly why the body turns on itself and until there is an answer and solution these chronic diseases will continue to persist as incurable diseases.
What we have learned is that by binding or blocking the primary underlying causes of inflammation, in this case TNF Alpha, patients oftentimes experience subantial relief as well as possible remission of their conditions.
It is important to understand that biological TNF Inhibitors work by suppressing the immune system functions and by taking these medications a patient may be subjecting themselves to an increased risk of infections and opportunistic disease.
It is also a very important consideration before starting a treatment plan that calls for anti-TNF medications is the financial cost of the medications.
Patients should look into whether they can afford a treatment regimen with these medications and whether their insurance (if they have a plan) covers a significant portion of their prescription.
It is estimated that a year of treatment can run into the $10,000 - $25,000 range.
Individuals that are concerned about starting a treatment plan that calls for TNF Inhibitors should speak with their physician.
It is possible that a doctor may be able to recommend a nutritional plan that is designed to include medicinal foods or supplements that have been clinically demonstrated to inhibit TNF Alpha naturally.
In this case the cost and potential for negative side effects are negligible.
A significant milestone in the treatment of conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, psoriasis, and other chronic inflammatory conditions is the development of Tumor Necrosis Factor or TNF Alpha inhibitors.
These medications fall into a new class of drugs called biologics and they have been extremely effective in treating the underlying cause of these cause of these conditions.
TNF Alpha is a protein (more specifically a pro-inflammatory cytokine) that is produced when the immune system recognizes a threat to the body.
In cases such as auto immune related conditions, the body mistakes healthy cells as foreign "invading" cells and mistakenly sends these cytokines to destroy and eliminate otherwise healthy normal cells.
Medical scientists are still trying to determine exactly why the body turns on itself and until there is an answer and solution these chronic diseases will continue to persist as incurable diseases.
What we have learned is that by binding or blocking the primary underlying causes of inflammation, in this case TNF Alpha, patients oftentimes experience subantial relief as well as possible remission of their conditions.
It is important to understand that biological TNF Inhibitors work by suppressing the immune system functions and by taking these medications a patient may be subjecting themselves to an increased risk of infections and opportunistic disease.
It is also a very important consideration before starting a treatment plan that calls for anti-TNF medications is the financial cost of the medications.
Patients should look into whether they can afford a treatment regimen with these medications and whether their insurance (if they have a plan) covers a significant portion of their prescription.
It is estimated that a year of treatment can run into the $10,000 - $25,000 range.
Individuals that are concerned about starting a treatment plan that calls for TNF Inhibitors should speak with their physician.
It is possible that a doctor may be able to recommend a nutritional plan that is designed to include medicinal foods or supplements that have been clinically demonstrated to inhibit TNF Alpha naturally.
In this case the cost and potential for negative side effects are negligible.
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