by Stemedix | Mar 13, 2023 | Uncategorized
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!
by admin | Mar 8, 2023 | Health Awareness
Nutritional deficiencies are a common cause of concerns like hair loss, lack of energy, and brain fog. One of the most prevalent nutritional deficiencies is a vitamin B12 deficiency.
Left untreated, a B12 deficiency can lead to serious issues like anemia, neurological concerns, and psychological symptoms. To avoid these larger issues, vitamin B12 levels should be restored as soon as possible.
Learn more about a B12 deficiency and its symptoms below.
Symptoms of a B12 Deficiency
Many people are lacking in vitamin B12 and have no idea until their symptoms begin to affect everyday life. Symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Lack of appetite
- Vision problems
- Extreme lethargy
- Difficulty speaking
- Sore mouth or tongue
- Getting easily confused
- Depression and irritability
- Numbness and tingling
When you start to notice symptoms of a B12 deficiency, it is important that you seek professional treatment to restore appropriate levels. The sooner you treat your deficiency, the less likely you are to develop serious concerns like neurological decline.
Treating a B12 Deficiency
A simple blood test can confirm that you are low in vitamin B12. When your B12 levels are properly assessed with a complete blood count (CBC), you can then move forward with treatment.
Your doctor will work with you to bring your B12 back up and resolve your associated symptoms. This will involve a customized treatment plan that increases the amount of vitamin B12 in your system.
The following are some of the ways that a B12 deficiency is treated:
- Vitamin B12 oral medication
- Intramuscular injections
- B12 nasal spray
- B12 nasal gel
If you are experiencing lethargy, vision problems, vomiting, or other symptoms of B12 deficiency, seek prompt medical treatment. Diagnosing and treating this deficiency will help you avoid serious conditions further down the road.
Speak with your doctor today to learn more about vitamin B12 deficiency. You can also do a comprehensive test to discover your personal blueprint of any insufficiencies and deficiencies to better optimize your daily wellness needs.
by Stemedix | Mar 6, 2023 | PRP
One of the most common chronic conditions in the United States is fibromyalgia. This disorder can affect both men and women at any age, leading to chronic pain and discomfort. Fortunately, there are many treatment options for fibromyalgia. In recent years, regenerative treatments like PRP therapy have emerged as potential solutions. What is PRP, and does PRP Treatment help Fibromyalgia?
What Is PRP Therapy?
PRP therapy uses platelet-rich plasma (PRP), the portion of your blood that contains a large number of regenerative platelets. This treatment uses your body’s own platelets to boost natural healing properties.
During a PRP procedure, a small amount of PRP is harvested from a blood sample and then injected back into your areas of concern. PRP therapy is being used to manage a variety of concerns, including everything from hair loss to joint damage.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a common condition that can develop at any age. It is characterized by widespread and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Fibromyalgia is believed to cause an increase in pain sensations by impacting the way your brain and spinal cord process pain signals. Symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
- Constant dull body pain
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Trouble sleeping
- Brain fog
- Headaches
These symptoms can also be signs of many other conditions. However, when they occur constantly and in conjunction, they may indicate fibromyalgia. While fibromyalgia is a chronic and ongoing disorder, there are many treatment options available. One emerging treatment option is PRP therapy.
Can PRP Injections Be Used in Fibromyalgia Treatment?
Traditional approaches to fibromyalgia have involved prescription painkillers, physical therapy, and dietary changes. While these may be effective for some patients, many still struggle with ongoing fibromyalgia symptoms. These patients may benefit from regenerative approaches like PRP therapy.
PRP has been shown to be a viable solution to fibromyalgia symptoms, including chronic pain. Injections of platelet-rich plasma can be used to naturally reduce pain safely and effectively.
These injections interact with the affected nerves and muscles, reducing discomfort and curbing pain signals. PRP is considered to be a promising alternative to prescription medications, as it uses your body’s own platelets rather than chemicals. This means that side effects or adverse reactions are unlikely with PRP injections for fibromyalgia.
Regenerative treatments like PRP therapy are still being assessed when it comes to treating fibromyalgia. If you are currently struggling with fibromyalgia symptoms and looking for a new approach, speak to your physician about trying PRP therapy. Contact us at Stemedix today and ask our staff ” Does PRP Treatment Help Fibromyalgia? “. They are here to help!
by admin | Mar 1, 2023 | Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Stem Cell Research, Stem Cell Therapy
Osteoporosis is a common bone disease that occurs as a result of the body’s inability to create new bone as fast as the body is losing bone. Characterized by progressively weakened bones and decreased bone density over time, osteoporosis often results in fractures of the wrist, hip, or spine.
Currently, it is estimated that 10 million Americans have osteoporosis and an additional 44 million have low bone density considered significant enough to increase the risk of developing osteoporosis. Recent studies indicate that roughly 50% of women and 25% of men over the age of 50 will break a bone as a result of osteoporosis[1].
While traditional methods of managing osteoporosis include medication, regular participation in weight-bearing exercises, and eating a healthy diet, the condition cannot be cured through these current approaches. Recently, regenerative medicine, also known as stem cell therapy, has drawn attention as a potential new approach to regenerate bone tissue and as a way to treat osteoporosis.
Specific stem cells, known as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), are widely considered to be the most promising of all stem cells for regenerative applications – primarily because of their anti-inflammatory, immune-privileged potential and less ethical concerns than other forms of stem cells.
In this review, Arjmand et al. consider all the currently known effects of stem cell-based therapies, including MSC-based therapy, in the treatment of osteoporosis. Several studies have confirmed the relationship between osteoporosis and a clear reduction in endogenous MSCs’ ability to proliferate, differentiate, and ultimately form new bone. Considering this, MSCs have been the most common type of stem cell investigated for the treatment of osteoporosis in both animal models and humans.
The authors point out several advantages of using MSCs in clinical models, including their accessibility and ease of harvesting, immunosuppressive outcomes, and ability to differentiate. Arjmand et al also highlight evidence that indicates MSCs to be effective in this application most likely as a result of their paracrine effects and their supporting regenerative microenvironment ability and not solely a result of their ability to differentiate. Considering these observed paracrine effects, the authors believe MSC transplantation could open a host of new opportunities for the treatment of osteoporosis.
This review concludes by calling for further studies into stem cell therapy as a potential treatment for osteoporosis specifically to understand the outcome and biodistribution of MSCs after transplantation and to further identify important bone loss signaling pathways and genes specific to each individual.
Source: “Prospect of Stem Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine in … – NCBI.” 3 Jul. 2020, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7347755/.
[1] “Learn What Osteoporosis Is and What It’s Caused by.” https://www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org/patients/what-is-osteoporosis/. Accessed 1 Feb. 2023.
by Stemedix | Feb 27, 2023 | Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
If you struggle with excessive fatigue, weakness, and chronic headaches, you may have a condition called chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS. Chronic fatigue syndrome is a common disorder that affects more than 800,000 Americans. Here we will learn how to manage Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
When you have CFS, it can feel impossible to live a normal life. Chronic fatigue makes it difficult to complete everyday tasks such as going to work or cleaning the house. When that happens, the condition significantly impacts patients’ quality of life.
Fortunately, there are several different treatment options for chronic fatigue syndrome. Learn more about some of the most frequently used treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome below.
What Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
Chronic fatigue syndrome is an ongoing condition that results in extreme and significant tiredness. The fatigue remains even with adequate sleep and rest. CFS can occur suddenly or develop gradually over time. The condition is more common in women than in men and can occur at any point in life.
Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
In addition to extreme, ongoing fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome presents with a variety of other symptoms, including the following:
- Sensitivity to light
- Daytime sleepiness
- Tender lymph nodes
- Frequent headaches
- Muscle and joint pain
- Inability to concentrate
- Weakness and lethargy
- Insomnia or restlessness
- Mood swings or irritability
- Forgetfulness and confusion
- Depression and lack of interest
While these symptoms can be attributed to other conditions, they can also be indicative of undiagnosed CFS. If you’re not sure whether you have chronic fatigue syndrome, you must be evaluated by a doctor.
Treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
There is no cure for CFS, but symptoms can be managed in a number of ways. The following are some common treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome:
Medication
Chronic fatigue symptoms may be managed with a combination of corticosteroids, antidepressants, and other medications.
Exercise
Certain exercises may alleviate the severity of your chronic fatigue syndrome. Low-intensity aerobic exercise is most often recommended for CFS patients.
Supplements
Some dietary supplements and herbal medications can reduce the severity of chronic fatigue. These include B vitamins, magnesium, and iron.
Psychotherapy
Supportive counseling and psychotherapy can alleviate some of the mental effects associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Finding Treatment for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
If you are experiencing symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, speak with your physician right away. Getting a proper diagnosis can help your medical team provide you with the treatments necessary to manage Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms and improve your overall quality of life.
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