Treating Diseases Through Stem Cell Therapy

Treating Diseases Through Stem Cell Therapy

Chronic Diseases by the Numbers

A 2018 report produced by the CDC indicated a staggering 51.8% of Americans were afflicted by at least one chronic disease or condition and 27.2% suffered from multiple conditions. Those numbers increased to approximately 157M in 2020 and are still climbing. The latest figures indicate about 6 out of every 10 US Americans are living with a chronic condition.

Chronic disease is defined as a physical or mental condition lasting longer than a year resulting in loss or restricted functionality and requires long-term continuous monitoring and/or treatment. Examples of chronic diseases include:

  • Chronic Kidney Disease
  • Chronic Lung Disease
  • Heart Disease
  • Blood Disorders
  • Cancers
  • Diabetes
  • Stroke
  • Arthritis
  • Alzheimer’s Disease

Many of these chronic diseases and conditions are difficult to manage and treat. Consequently, they represent some of the leading national causes of death, disability, and poor quality of life. Disease management and treatments are the most significant contributors to our National Health Care expenditures of approximately 4.1 trillion dollars (about $13,000 per person in the US) annually.

The Rise of Regenerative Medicine

Public health researchers conclude that the causes are multi-faceted and range in severity, with factors such as age, genetics, lifestyle, and behavior also playing a role. Studies show fascinating correlations between many of these factors and how they impact specific patient populations. Decoding the mechanisms that perpetuate chronic disease is a top priority so that we can lessen the burden placed on our public health system and improve patient outcomes.

Eradicating these public health concerns is the main driver toward advanced regenerative medicine practices and research. Stem cell research is gaining traction in the scientific community and providing measurable relief for the patients involved in the massive number of clinical studies devoted to this area of research. The use of stem cells in the body is growing in popularity and aims to revolutionize modern medical practices.

As a leader in the stem cell industry, The Advanced Cell Institute in Los Angeles works to educate patients on how stem cells work in the body. We care about our patients and believe that a better quality of life may be possible with stem cell therapy.

Stem Cells: Understanding How they Work in the Body

Stem Cells are known as foundational cells within the human body and provide the basis for all other cell types. With the ability to morph into any specialized cell type, stem cells are tasked with becoming whatever the body needs at the time – muscle cells, blood cells, brain cells, and more.

Stem cells act as regenerators and encourage the formation of healthy cells to replace damaged cells and tissue. The stem cell’s ability to repair and renew cellular function is the pillar of regenerative medicine practices and research.

Stem Cell Types Used in Treatment Applications

There are a few distinct types of stem cells and the avenues for sourcing them vary. Stem cells can be taken from bone marrow, fat or adipose tissue, and the umbilical cord or placenta. Adipose or fat-derived stem cells are one of the easiest to harvest and are found to be safe for use in a vast range of treatments. ASC or Adipose Stem cell harvesting is a safe, minimally invasive procedure requiring a simple local anesthetic. The harvested stem cells are then treated with platelet rich plasma (PRP) and then injected into a targeted area of the body.

Stem Cells Can Be Used in Diverse Patient Populations

Many patients turn to stem-cell therapies after exhausting a myriad of other treatment types without a successful outcome. Because stem cell treatments work in conjunction with one’s own cellular makeup, the length of treatment time and results may vary. Stem cell therapies are also considered to be minimally invasive, making them accessible to a wide variety of patient types.

Stem cells are commonly used in orthopedic settings and are an attractive option for those wanting to avoid long-recovery times due to surgical procedures. Cosmetic applications are also becoming more popular. The potential for stem cell applications for different diseases covers a huge spectrum of possibilities.

Hope for the Future

The direction of stem cell research points to very hard-to-treat conditions such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, autoimmune diseases, and some cancers. The landscape is poised for new discoveries in about every medical niche. Most recently, an FDA-approved phase 1 clinical trial highlighted stem-cell treatment in the case of diabetes with promising results. We can expect more advancements in this space in the future.

The Los Angeles Institute for Stem Cell Therapy invites you to learn more about stem cell-based therapeutics. Call today for an appointment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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