Where Can You Access Regenerative Medicine For ALS?

Where Can You Access Regenerative Medicine For ALS?

ALS stands for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, which is a progressive and fatal neurological disease that affects the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles. The disease causes these motor neurons to degenerate and eventually die, leading to a loss of muscle control and eventual paralysis. In this article, we will discuss the potential benefits of Regenerative Medicine for ALS.

The initial symptoms of ALS may vary, but often include muscle weakness, cramping, twitching, and difficulty speaking, swallowing, or breathing. As the disease progresses, these symptoms worsen and spread to other parts of the body, eventually resulting in complete paralysis.

There is currently no cure for ALS, but various treatments are available to manage the symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease.

How Do You Diagnose ALS?

Diagnosing ALS can be challenging as there is no specific test or procedure to definitively confirm the disease. Instead, a diagnosis of ALS is typically based on a combination of medical history, clinical examination, and various tests to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms. The diagnostic process for ALS may involve:

  • Medical history: The doctor may ask questions about your symptoms, medical history, family history, and any other relevant information.
  • Clinical examination: The doctor may conduct a physical examination to check for signs of muscle weakness, spasticity, or atrophy, as well as abnormal reflexes or muscle twitching.
  • Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies: These tests measure the electrical activity of muscles and nerves and can help detect abnormalities associated with ALS.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This imaging technique uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the brain and spinal cord, which can help rule out other conditions.
  • Blood and urine tests: These tests can help rule out other diseases that may have similar symptoms to ALS.
  • Lumbar puncture (spinal tap): In some cases, a sample of cerebrospinal fluid may be taken from the spinal cord to help rule out other conditions.

It’s important to note that ALS is a difficult disease to diagnose, and the diagnostic process can be lengthy and may require multiple tests and visits to various specialists.

What Treatments are Available for ALS?

There is currently no cure for ALS, but there are various treatments available that can help manage the symptoms and improve the patient’s quality of life. The treatment plan for ALS usually involves a multidisciplinary approach that includes medications, assistive devices, and supportive care.

Medications: Riluzole is the only FDA-approved drug for ALS treatment. It is thought to work by reducing the damage to the nerve cells and delaying the progression of the disease. Other medications may be prescribed to manage symptoms such as muscle spasms, pain, and depression.

Assistive devices: Various assistive devices such as wheelchairs, speech synthesizers, and breathing machines can help patients maintain independence and improve their quality of life.

Physical therapy: Regular exercise and physical therapy can help improve mobility, reduce stiffness and pain, and slow down the progression of the disease.

Speech therapy: As ALS progresses, patients may experience difficulty with speaking and swallowing. Speech therapy can help patients improve their ability to communicate and swallow food.

Nutritional support: As the disease progresses, patients may have difficulty eating and may require a feeding tube to ensure proper nutrition.

Supportive care: Palliative and hospice care can provide emotional and practical support for patients and their families, focusing on improving the patient’s quality of life and managing symptoms.

It’s important to note that the treatment plan for ALS varies from person to person and is based on individual symptoms and needs.

Regenerative Medicine for ALS

Regenerative medicine is an emerging field that holds great promise for the treatment of ALS. The goal of regenerative medicine is to repair or replace damaged or degenerating cells and tissues in the body, including the nerve cells affected by ALS.

There are several approaches to regenerative medicine that are being explored for the treatment of ALS, including:

Stem cell therapy: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a type of adult stem cell that can differentiate into various cell types, including neural cells, and have been shown to have immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. MSCs have been investigated as a potential therapy for ALS due to their ability to differentiate into motor neurons and their potential to modulate the immune response and promote tissue repair.

Studies have shown that MSCs can secrete a range of factors that can promote the survival and growth of motor neurons, protect against oxidative stress and inflammation, and promote neuroplasticity. MSCs can be administered via various routes, including intravenous injection, intrathecal injection, or direct injection into the spinal cord or muscle tissue.

Gene therapy: Gene therapy involves introducing a healthy copy of the defective gene responsible for ALS into the patient’s cells, which can help prevent further damage to the nerve cells. Gene therapy is still in the experimental stage for ALS and requires further research.

Neuroprotection: Neuroprotective therapies aim to protect the motor neurons from further damage and degeneration. Various drugs and compounds are being studied for their potential neuroprotective effects in ALS.

Biomaterials: Biomaterials are materials that can be used to support and enhance the function of tissues and organs. In ALS, biomaterials may be used to deliver drugs or stem cells directly to the affected area.

While there is no cure for ALS yet, research into regenerative medicine and other potential treatments is ongoing, and progress is being made in the field.

Where Can You Access Regenerative Medicine For ALS?

Stem cell therapy for ALS is still considered an experimental treatment, and it is not widely available or approved by regulatory agencies such as the FDA for this indication. Therefore, it is important to approach any stem cell therapy for ALS with caution and to thoroughly research any treatment centers or clinics that offer such therapy.

Currently, there are only a few clinical trials investigating the safety and effectiveness of stem cell therapy for ALS. These trials are being conducted at research institutions and hospitals, and participation is typically limited to patients who meet specific eligibility criteria. The treatment will be overseen by a team of healthcare professionals, including neurologists, stem cell researchers, and other specialists in ALS management.

If stem cell therapy is being administered outside of a clinical trial, patients should seek out healthcare professionals who have extensive experience in the field of stem cell research and who are knowledgeable about the use of stem cells for the treatment of ALS.

It’s important to note that patients should only seek treatment from licensed and reputable healthcare professionals who follow appropriate regulatory guidelines and ethical standards. Before undergoing stem cell therapy for ALS, patients should discuss their options with a qualified healthcare professional.

Tips to Keep Your Bones Healthy

Tips to Keep Your Bones Healthy

Your bones are essential for providing your body with support and stability, especially as you age. When you get older, you are more susceptible to conditions that can weaken bones and make them more prone to breakage.

Keeping your bones healthy throughout your life will strengthen them in old age and make you less likely to develop conditions like osteoporosis. Take a look at these tips for healthier bones.

Increase Calcium Intake

One of the best ways to strengthen your bones is to increase your calcium intake. Many people are deficient in calcium, and it puts them at a higher risk of osteoporosis and other conditions that weaken bones. You can increase your calcium intake by adding more whole milk, yogurt, and calcium supplements to your diet.

Stay Active

You don’t need to perform strenuous exercises or intense workouts. A daily walk, swimming, or even playing golf are all good ways to remain physically active.

People who lead a sedentary lifestyle tend to have weaker bones than those who get regular exercise. To strengthen your bones and reduce the risk of osteoporosis, you should strive to stay active throughout your whole life. 

Quit Smoking

Research has suggested that smoking cigarettes can increase your risk of bone breakage or developing osteoporosis. To help yourself maintain strong, healthy bones, it’s better to quit smoking as soon as possible.

Decrease Alcohol Consumption

In addition to tobacco products, alcohol can increase your risk of developing osteoporosis. For stronger, healthier bones, you should try to keep your drinking to a minimum.

Keep Hormones in Check

Some instances of weak bones and osteoporosis are linked to hormone imbalances. Getting your hormone levels regularly checked and ruling out thyroid conditions can help you keep strong bones for your entire life.

How to Get Relief from Diabetic Nerve Pain

How to Get Relief from Diabetic Nerve Pain

Diabetes is a chronic condition that can progress in severity if left unmanaged. In many cases, untreated diabetes can lead to severe nerve pain. When you suffer from diabetic nerve pain, you may find yourself looking anywhere and everywhere for some relief. Find out how you can address your diabetic nerve pain.

What Causes Diabetic Nerve Pain?

Also known as diabetic neuropathy, diabetic nerve pain is the result of unstable blood sugar levels. When you have diabetes and allow your blood sugar to rise continuously, it can do damage to the nerves that send signals throughout your body. 

The blood flow to these nerves is reduced, and they are no longer able to function properly. This leads to nerve pain, most often in the hands, feet, and legs.

Treating Diabetic Nerve Pain

If you develop diabetic neuropathy, there are several treatment options that can alleviate your pain. Learn more about each of these treatments below:

Blood Sugar Maintenance

The best way to stop nerve pain from progressing is by controlling your blood sugar. Practicing proper blood sugar maintenance and keeping your levels in a healthy range will stop the progression of neuropathy and prevent additional nerves from being damaged.

INF

INF, or intraneural facilitation, is another way to treat diabetic nerve pain. INF is an innovative treatment that does not involve any medications and is completely non-invasive. During INF treatment, blood supply is restored to the damaged nerves, alleviating pain and discomfort.

Medication

Sometimes, over-the-counter medication is the best way to relieve diabetic nerve pain. Medications like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin can all reduce the severity of your nerve pain when used for short periods. In severe cases, prescription pain medications may be needed to provide comfort.

Physical Therapy

Another way to address diabetic nerve pain is with physical therapy. Certain exercises and stretches can relieve the discomfort caused by neuropathy. These exercises include swimming, walking, and other low-impact exercises. 

Regenerative Medicine

Regenerative medicine is a developing field that aims to restore or replace damaged or diseased tissues. Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high levels of blood sugar (glucose) due to the body’s inability to produce or properly use insulin. 

One approach of regenerative medicine is the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to replace damaged or dysfunctional cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. These cells can be derived from a patient’s own body (such as bone marrow or adipose tissue) or from umbilical cord tissue (Wharton’s jelly). Although more research is needed to optimize these approaches, several studies have shown promising results in using stem cells to generate new insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

Diabetic Neuropathy Treatment

Are you struggling with chronic pain and discomfort due to diabetic neuropathy? Diabetic nerve pain can occur when blood sugar levels are not managed properly. To stop the progression of your neuropathy or to prevent nerve pain in the first place, you must keep your blood sugar under control. 

Establishing a reliable medical team and having doctors whom you trust can help you manage your diabetes and keep your blood sugar at healthy levels. To learn more, contact a care coordinator today at Stemedix!

Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Traumatic Brain Injury

Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Traumatic Brain Injury

Worldwide, an estimated 10 million people suffer some form of traumatic brain injury (TBI) severe enough to result in either death or hospitalization each year. Nearly 20% of these TBIs occur in the United States and over 50,000 of those affected die as a result of their injury. 

Characterized by a wide range of physical, psychological, and emotional impairments that range from mild memory and mood disorders to severe loss of body control and coma, TBIs are most often caused by a serious blow to the head or neck area[1].

Research has confirmed that the initial trauma resulting from the TBI is not the only factor causing damage to the brain. After sustaining an initial injury, the brain initiates a series of complex biochemical responses that significantly influence the overall severity of the damage caused as a result of the injury.

TBIs come with a tremendous cost, with direct and indirect costs estimated at over $60 billion per year in the United States alone. Additionally, there has been limited success in identifying therapeutic or pharmacological treatments that improve the long-term prognosis of moderate to severe TBI.

Considering the recent success of regenerative therapies in the treatment of a number of serious health conditions, researchers are optimistically exploring the potential benefits of using stem cells, specifically mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), as a possible way to restore functionality to damaged neurons in and around the brain.

In this publication, Hasan et al. review numerous studies investigating the effects of the infusion of MSCs into animal models of TBIs and summarize the advances in the application of MSCs in the treatment of TBI. MSCs are multipotent stromal cells and are available for extraction from all tissue in the body. 

Adding to the potential benefits offered by MSCs, they have been found to differentiate into a wide range of cell lines (not just mesenchymal cells) making them an easily accessible and potentially highly effective option for use in the regenerative treatment of TBIs.

In addition, MSCs have been observed selectively migrating and settling within injured tissue, which adds additional benefit for treatment within previously undeliverable or difficult-to-deliver sites such as the brain and the heart.

The growing evidence supporting the efficiency of using MSCs to alleviate the long-term and debilitating effects of TBI has been further bolstered by recent research highlighting the potential for the genetic modification of MSCs as a way to enhance the survival of stem and neuronal cells. Coupled with additional findings in human trials demonstrating that oxidative stress production can be manipulated by MSCs and therefore contribute to the brain’s recovery after injury, researchers are increasingly optimistic that MSC-based approaches offer significant benefits for the treatment of TBIs.

Hasan et al. also point out several concerns and potential challenges of using MSCs in the treatment of TBIs that need to be further explored and better understood before regular use in clinical settings can be approved. Among these concerns, the authors point out, is that a better understanding of the mechanisms of MSC homing in TBI-affected regions of the brain is important in order to employ them efficiently in clinical settings. Another area requiring further research is a better understanding of the respective roles of paracrine effects, transdifferentiated cells, and other factors related to tissue repair. The authors also identify a recent concern over the potential role of MSCs in the development of cancer and autoimmune diseases as a cause for further study of this potential treatment.

Despite the areas identified as in need of further research, the authors conclude that MSCs continues to demonstrate great potential in the field of regenerative medicine and specifically with respect to their use in the treatment of TBI.

Source:  Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury.” 20 Feb. 2017, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5316525/.


[1] “Traumatic brain injury – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic.” 4 Feb. 2021, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20378557.

What Is Regenerative Medicine Treatment

What Is Regenerative Medicine Treatment

There are endless types of medicinal treatments available to treat your health concerns, but one of the more innovative approaches in regenerative medicine. It focuses on using your body’s own materials to stimulate a healing response in your cells, tissues, muscles, and more.

Types of Regenerative Medicine

There are several types of regenerative medicine, but the two most popular treatments are stem cell therapy and PRP injections.

Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell therapy is a regenerative medicine treatment that uses natural stem cells to produce an intense healing response within the body. When your body’s own stem cells are injected into certain problem areas, they begin to repair damaged cells, nerves, and other tissues. They can also stimulate the growth of new cells and tissues.

PRP Injections

PRP injections are another type of regenerative medicine treatment. PRP refers to “platelet-rich plasma,” which is the portion of your blood that is high in platelets. During PRP therapy, platelet-rich plasma is harvested from your own blood and injected back into specific areas of the body. This can elicit a healing response and new cell growth.

Uses for Regenerative Medicine

Regenerative medicine can be used to treat a variety of concerns, both aesthetic and medical. The following are some of the most common uses for regenerative medicine treatments:

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurological disease that impacts memory and cognitive skills. It typically occurs in the late 60s and older but can begin at younger ages. Stem cell therapy may be able to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and slow the progression of the disease by directly targeting nerve pathways and repairing damaged brain tissue.

Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can cause chronic pain and impact the way your immune system functions. Regenerative medicine therapy may be a treatment option for certain autoimmune issues, helping stimulate new cell growth and strengthen the immune system.

Signs of Aging

Wrinkles, fine lines, and facial creasing are some of the most common signs of aging. Regenerative medicine, like PRP therapy, can resolve these age-related changes by stimulating new skin cell growth.

Seeking Regenerative Medicine Treatment

You may be a candidate for regenerative medicine treatment if you struggle with anything from chronic pain to hair loss. Many of these treatments are still being researched, and methods are constantly being improved. Speak to your physician about potential regenerative medicine therapy for your concerns.

Contact Us

If you’re interested in learning more about innovative and advanced medical technologies like regenerative medicine treatment, contact Stemedix today to learn more about the treatment options we have to offer!

What Does Stem Cell Therapy Cost in 2022?

What Does Stem Cell Therapy Cost in 2022?

Stem cells are unique in the body, as they are the only type of cells that can divide to create a new, specialized cell. For example, a stem cell can divide and make a brain, muscle, or heart cell. Some stem cells can also repair damaged tissue or reduce inflammation. 

Many scientists believe stem cells have the power to manage a wide range of conditions. While the capabilities of stem cells are still undergoing research, the therapy remains an alternative treatment. 

Patients seeking relief from their conditions are exploring what regenerative medicine, also known as stem cell therapy, may offer but also how much these therapies are. It is important to be sure you are receiving a quality option.

Will Insurance Cover Stem Cell Therapy?

Most insurances will not cover treatments deemed alternative, including stem cell therapy. Fortunately, stem cell clinics often offer financing options for patients paying out of pocket. 

What’s Involved in Stem Cell Therapy?

Stem cell therapy uses stem cells to help repair and regrow damaged tissue, such as knee cartilage, from stem cells extracted from your body. Once you’re determined to be eligible for the treatment, harvesting your stem cells is the first step. 

Physicians harvest stem cells from the bone marrow in your pelvic bone in a procedure called bone marrow aspiration. They may also extract stem cells from your adipose (fat) tissue. 

Lastly, your physician will administer the stem cells into the targeted area. Stem cell therapy results can take a few weeks before you notice an improvement. During that time, your stem cells help repair and regrow damaged tissue. 

Stem Cell Therapy Cost

Stem cell therapy in the United States varies depending on the clinic, the location, and the physician performing the procedure. Since the treatment types and requirements vary widely, the cost can, too. 

On average, the cost of adult stem cell IV therapy in the U.S. range from $5,000 to $15,000.

While many patients try to avoid the high cost of stem cell IV therapy in the U.S. by traveling internationally for the treatment, once the costs of flights, hotels, and aftercare are factored in, the overall price is often the same. Some regenerative medicine clinics offer options to help with accommodation services while in town.

Stem cell IV therapy holds promise as an innovative treatment approach for various health conditions. While the cost of stem cell IV therapy may seem substantial, it is crucial to consider the factors influencing pricing, such as treatment facility, stem cell source, acquisition and processing methods, treatment protocol, the expertise of the medical team, and additional services provided. Patients considering stem cell IV therapy should consult with reputable clinics, discuss cost structures, and explore financing options to make informed decisions about their healthcare journey.

The cost of stem cell IV therapy may be expensive, but well-informed patients who undergo the treatment often find the benefits prove to be worth their investment, especially in cases where they no longer require ongoing prescriptions and pain medications. To learn more about Stem Cell Therapy contact us today at Stemedix!

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