Stem cells are essentially raw materials from which all the cells in our bodies are made. Thanks to this potential, nowadays, they are being researched and developed for therapy – they can help repair tissues that have been damaged. So, what conditions can stem cell therapy treat? We’ve discussed this topic in the text below, so check it out to learn more about stem cell therapy and its potential.
What Is Stem Cell Therapy?
Stem cell therapy is also called regenerative medicine – the name itself explains what this treatment is all about. Stem cells are used to promote the repair response of various tissues in the body that have been damaged by injuries, diseases, or are simply dysfunctional. This is possible thanks to stem cells’ ability to differentiate into any type of cell – this allows us to manipulate stem cells into what we need for treatment.
How Are Stem Cells Administered?
Stem cells are grown in a lab and, when ready, injected into a patient. Where we inject these cells depends on what we’re treating, of course. For example, if a patient has heart disease, stem cells would be injected into the heart muscle. When we treat knee pain, we inject the cells into the knee, and so on.
What Conditions Can Stem Cell Therapy Treat?
Our knowledge of stem cells is still far from complete. However, the idea behind stem cell treatment is that they can, thanks to their ability to differentiate into any cell type, become a great way to treat any condition. There is much work to be done, but for now, more than 65 diseases can be treated with stem cells. Let’s go over some of the most important ones.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes means that a patient can’t react to insulin adequately and later can’t produce insulin on their own. The main goal of using stem cells for this disease is to reduce the patient’s insulin requirements – they can go down by 80%. Additionally, stem cells will help the pancreas regenerate and make it able to produce more insulin.
Stroke
We all know how fatal a stroke can be. This is a neurovascular condition in which the blood flow into the brain becomes blocked. Since brain cells can’t go long without oxygen and nutrients from the blood (glucose), they tend to die in a matter of minutes. Stem cell therapy should help with nerve cell growth and regeneration. It should also improve finger, joint, and limb movement, which can all be affected by stroke.
Dementia
Dementia is a term for memory loss and decline in mental activity, which can occur as a part of numerous neurological diseases. It affects the quality of life significantly, but its symptoms can be improved with stem cell therapy. Stem cells stimulate the regeneration of brain cells and help create new ones, which can have a positive effect on the patient’s condition.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a common problem among the elderly, and it tends to cause significant problems in day-to-day life. Pain is one of the results of inflammation and degenerative processes in the joints. Stem cells are great for fighting this disease, as they will promote tissue regeneration and boost the patient’s immune system. Patients are expected to see the results in two to four months of treatment.
Retinal Diseases
Stem cells help promote the regeneration of photoreceptor cells in the retina that are often affected by retinal diseases. There are many eye conditions that stem cell therapy can help treat. Some of them are retinal detachment and macular degeneration.
Leukemia
This condition is the malignancy of the blood cells. Malignant cells are made as a result of abnormal production in the bone marrow, which is why we inject stem cell transplants into the bone marrow as a way to initiate the production of healthy blood cells.
Cancer
A certain type of stem cell called mesenchymal stem cell is considered the future of anti-cancer treatment. Using this stem cell is an excellent way to make changes in the tissue thanks to its ability to self-renew. Mesenchymal stem cells can also deliver anti-cancer agents into tumor stroma.
Discuss With Your Doctor What Conditions Can Stem Cell Therapy Treat
If you think you might benefit from stem cell therapy, you might want to talk to your doctor. They will be able to tell you if you’re a suitable candidate and inform you about everything related to this type of treatment. Our doctors at Luxe Foot Surgery clinic can help you out – contact us to book your free first consultation.
FAQ
What Is Stem Cell Therapy Success Rate?
The success rate of stem cell therapy depends on the type of treatment and the disease or injury that’s being treated. Still, it’s considered a highly effective method, and its success rate can go up to 80% in some cases.
