by admin | Jul 5, 2018 | Stem Cell Therapy
For most conditions, stem cells can be administered into the bloodstream (into an artery or vein). However, patients who wish to have stem cell treatment for neurological conditions are faced with overcoming the blood-brain barrier. As the name indicates, the blood-brain barrier is a barrier between the bloodstream in the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. Oxygen and some small molecules can cross the blood-brain barrier, but other molecules and cells cannot. Thus, to treat neurological conditions, stem cells must somehow reach the brain tissue. There are two ways that will accomplish this and they are through the intranasal and intrathecal methods. We want to show the comparisons of these two methods so you can determine which route is right for you.
Intranasal Method:
While virtually all the central nervous system is protected by the blood-brain barrier, there is a small patch in the top of the nasal cavity with no effective barrier. This patch is how we smell things so effectively, but it also can be used as a passageway for the stem cells to reach the brain tissue. Using the intranasal method, the physician numbs the area with a local anesthetic and injects stem cells into the passageway using a thin needle. General anesthesia is not required, and patients can leave soon after the procedure—no hospital stay is required. Intranasally is an excellent way of administering stem cells to the nerves along the olfactory pathway (the nerves involved in the sense of smell). Specifically, intranasal stem cell administration can be used to treat patients with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and frontal lobe dementia, as well as other neurological conditions.
Intrathecal Method:
The intrathecal method delivers the stem cell into the cerebral spinal fluid or CSF. Intrathecal administration is quite like a spinal tap (a.k.a. lumbar puncture) though instead of drawing out a sample of CSF, physicians inject stem cells into the CSF. And just like a spinal tap, the physician numbs the area with a local anesthetic and then inserts a small needle into the lower back (the patient lies in the fetal position). The stem cells are then able to cross the blood-brain barrier by being placed directly in the CFS since the CSF naturally circulates around the brain and spinal cord. This also allows the stem cells to reach a wide range of nerve cells throughout the central nervous system. Ideally, the intrathecal method is ideal for most neurological conditions, especially for those that affect areas near CSF such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and Post-stroke.
Comparing both methods:
Your stem cell physician will help determine and suggest which route is more optimal for your specific condition and needs. In general, the intrathecal method is more commonly suggested for neurological conditions since it allows the stem cells to be widely distributed across the brain tissues, and especially conditions relative to the spinal cord. The intranasal approach is more custom for conditions affecting the frontal or temporal lobes of the brain or if there are concerns of successful administration of the stem cells into the lumbar space with the intrathecal approach. In certain cases, patients may be able to choose one approach over the other if they have a preference. Overall, both will cross over the blood-brain barrier but the decision of which is best must be determined based on a few factors; safety, preference, and optimal opportunity.
by admin | Jul 3, 2018 | Health Awareness, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Stem Cell Therapy
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a powerful treatment used to aid in the healing of many conditions and illnesses. Individuals who undergo this unique form of therapy sit in a controlled environment, called a chamber, with higher levels of oxygen and increased atmospheric pressure. Together, the pressure and high oxygen concentration help to oxygenate the blood, which can facilitate cellular regeneration, healing of wounds, and decreases in inflammation levels. The therapy can treat burns and sores, concussions, sports injuries, and decompression syndrome, among other ailments.
In fact, the benefits of HBOT span so far and wide that some individuals have even sought to bring the treatment into their own homes. This is done using soft HBOT chambers, which are different from the hard medical-grade chambers that are operated by professionals in treatment centers. Here, we walk you through the key differences between hard and soft chambers to help you make informed decisions about your treatment options.
Hard HBOT Chambers
To understand the most critical differences among hard and soft chambers, it’s important to revisit the two key principles of HBOT: oxygen and pressure. Combining these two factors to facilitate an environment in which expedited healing can take place is what makes this form of therapy so effective. In hard chambers, the air features 100% medical-grade oxygen and is commonly pressurized to a maximum atmospheric absolute (ATA) of up to 3.0, or a depth of 66 feet. They are specifically built to achieve pressures for therapeutic purposes, and some can go to 6.0 ATA.
The immense level of healing achieved through these systems is backed by thousands of clinical studies and has even been shown to aid in bone and tissue regrowth. Conditions that have shown benefit with HBOT in conjunction with stem cell therapy are Multiple Sclerosis, Traumatic Brain Injury, Post-Stroke, and Sports Injuries to name a few. This is because hard chamber HBOT can mobilize stem cells (CD34+ pluripotent cells) responsible for the regrowth of significantly wounded areas. Hard HBOT chambers can also kill harmful bacteria.
Because these hard-sided chambers are found only in medical or therapy centers and controlled by trained professionals, the risks of breathing contaminated or polluted air are mitigated. In addition, hard chambers meet the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy (ASME-PVHO-1) standard. However, because it is illegal to purchase medical-grade oxygen without a prescription, this form of therapy can only be received under the care of specialists.
Soft-Sided HBOT Chambers
Unlike hard-sided chambers, soft-sided HBOT chambers are portable and can be purchased for home use. They typically feature a steel frame with a zipped inflatable chamber. Oftentimes, they are used as a temporary treatment for divers and mountain climbers suffering from decompression syndrome and altitude sickness when they are already in route to receive HBOT in a hard chamber. On the surface, soft HBOT chambers might seem like a convenient alternative to receiving therapy at a treatment center. Yet, research shows that these solutions are ineffective for achieving the same level of benefits provided by hard chambers, and in fact, using them can put patients at risk.
Let’s return to the two components needed for effective HBOT: oxygen and pressure. While the air in hard chambers is 100% medical-grade oxygen, soft chambers used at home feature regular ambient air, with just 21% oxygen. Plus, they can only be pressurized to 1.3 ATA, or a depth of roughly eight feet. This lower pressure level is simply not enough to facilitate healing. Used in conjunction with 100% oxygen (which again, can only be administered by medical professionals), it can be used as a temporary treatment for altitude sickness and decompression syndrome – but that is all the FDA approves soft-sided HBOT chambers for. Therefore, they serve little purpose in the home setting. In fact, it isn’t recommended for soft chambers to be used for any type of healing outside of treating the two conditions described above. Not only are the oxygen and pressure levels too low to achieve treatment, but the environment can promote the growth of undesirable aerobic bacteria. Soft chambers do not meet the ASME PVHO-1, have not been proven to promote healing through clinical research, and may even pose risks of breathing in polluted or contaminated air.
Ultimately, soft chambers may provide medical benefits in very specific circumstances, but hard chambers are the only vessel for HBOT that can support all types of healing by oxygenating the blood and stimulating stem cells. When practiced under the care of trained professionals, hard chamber HBOT poses few minimal risks and can make a significant difference in improving an individual’s quality of life.
St. Petersburg, Florida
