Inflammatory Bowel Disease
WHAT IS Regenerative Medicine for Inflammatory Bowel Disease? For those seeking to potentially manage symptoms of this condition, Regenerative Medicine, also know as Stem Cell Therapy, for Inflammatory Bowel Disease may be a natural alternative option. Request...
Is Stem Cell Therapy Effective for Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA) affects over 32.5 million adults in the U.S. It is the most common type of arthritis and is also known as degenerative joint disease. Symptoms can be mild to completely debilitating pain in some people. Here we discuss is stem cell therapy effective for osteoarthritis?
Fortunately, most patients can manage their OA symptoms with lifestyle changes. But for those who experience severe pain, lifestyle changes aren’t always enough. Stem cell therapy is a safe, non-invasive treatment that may bring long-lasting relief for individuals with OA.
Causes and Risk Factors for OA
In most cases, osteoarthritis is caused by normal wear and tear on the joints. As the protective cartilage inside a joint begins to wear down, it creates changes in the underlying bone. The result can be inflammation, pain, stiffness in the joints, and a decreased range of motion.
Age is the number-one risk factor for developing OA. As we age, everyday movements cause the cartilage to break down. Other risk factors include the following:
- Genetics: If people in your family have OA, you are more likely to develop the condition
- Obesity: Extra weight increases the stress on weight-bearing joints
- Joint injury: A joint that has been damaged is more likely to develop OA
- Repetitive use: Repetitive bending, kneeling, or other movements can cause the cartilage to break down sooner
- Gender: Women, and especially women over 50, are at the highest risk for developing OA
Many people ask the question – Is Stem Cell Therapy Effective for Osteoarthritis? Traditional treatments for OA typically involve a combination of therapies such as physical therapy, weight loss, medications, and using supportive devices like a cane. In severe cases, surgery may be recommended.
How Does Regenerative Medicine Help Osteoarthritis?
Whether you have been newly diagnosed with OA or have been coping with the condition for many years, regenerative medicine, also known as stem cell therapy, is considered to be a safe treatment for most patients with OA and other orthopedic complaints such as degenerative disc disease.
The most common side effects of receiving stem cell therapy are temporary swelling and mild pain at the injection site. The inflammation that occurs when joint cartilage becomes damaged is one cause of OA pain. Swollen tissues cause pressure on the delicate nerves that surround the joints. The other source of pain is from the joints themselves. Without the protection of cartilage, joint bones come into direct contact with one another.
Stem cells release anti-inflammatory agents that reduce the pain caused by swelling and promote healing within the joint. Stem cell therapy may also be able to regenerate healthy new cartilage tissue. Each case of OA is considered and set with realistic expectations and stem cell therapy offers patients an alternative option to manage their condition and symptoms. If you would like to learn more or schedule an a consultation, contact a care coordinator today!
Improve Memory and Recall, Backed by Science
Daily life can be incredibly hectic for some. Between work-related responsibilities, personal goals, and social commitments, it can be easy to forget something important. This is because your attention span and short-term memory may be overstretched.
How can you remedy this common problem? Various neuroscience research suggests that you can increase your short-term memory by implementing one of three simple strategies, which we have outlined below.
Speak Out Loud
When you really need to remember something, try speaking out loud. Repeat the information that you need to retain a few times. If you are in a public place and don’t want to draw too much attention to yourself, simply mouth the words silently to yourself. Both options can help the information stand out from all the other stimuli you are encountering to remember key details.
Focus on the Event for 40 Seconds
Another great way to boost your short-term memory is to actively focus on an event or piece of information for 40 seconds. You should rehearse or replay the interaction in your mind.
Visualize the exchange right down to each key detail that you need to remember. This will help you remember the core aspects of the event and may even allow you to convert the information to your long-term memory.
Use the Power of Prediction
In addition to the strategies outlined above, you can also increase your chances of remembering something by leveraging the power of prediction. In a 2011 study included in the Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology, researchers found a strong correlation between asking yourself if you will remember something and your ability to recall the information.
This tactic is beneficial for remembering to perform a pre-planned action, such as calling a family member on their birthday.
Overcoming More Serious Memory Issues
Are you concerned that a serious neurodegenerative condition is causing your forgetfulness? Have you or a loved one recently been diagnosed with an ailment such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s, or suffered a stroke?
If so, then you may benefit from regenerative medicine, also known as stem cell therapy. This alternative option has the potential to slow the progression of cognitive conditions and may even improve short-term memory.
The Difference Between Stroke and Heart Attack
Hopefully, you will never experience a stroke or a heart attack, but it is important to know the differences between these two potentially fatal medical emergencies. The most important similarity may be that if you or someone you know is showing the symptoms of a stroke or a heart attack, time is crucial. Getting immediate medical help increases the chance of survival and recovery.
Heart Attacks Explained
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S. Heart disease can lead to a heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction.
The term “heart attack” refers to damage of the heart muscle, usually caused by a lack of blood flow. If a blood clot forms in one of the arteries that supply blood to the heart, it can block blood flow and deprive the heart of the nutrients it needs to function.
As the heart weakens from lack of nourishment, chest pain and other symptoms may occur. Warning signs of a heart attack include:
- Fatigue
- A sense of impending doom
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Pain radiating down the left arm
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling lightheaded
- Pain or numbness in the upper body
- Stomach pain
- Changes in heartbeat
- A bluish tint to the hands, feet, or lips
- Pain in the jaw or between the shoulder blades
Men and women tend to experience a different set of symptoms; however, warning signs can be different for every person. In some cases, there is no warning at all. This is referred to as a “silent heart attack.”
Stroke Explained
Like heart attacks, strokes are usually caused by a blood clot that blocks blood flow in the arteries. In this case, the blockage affects the brain. Deprived of nourishment, a section of the brain dies, resulting in a stroke.
There are three types of strokes. Ischemic stroke is caused by a blood clot, and it is the most common type. Bleeding in the brain, usually from injury or aneurysm, may cause a hemorrhagic stroke. A transient ischemic attack is caused when an artery that feeds the brain is restricted but not blocked.
Warning signs of stroke are typically less painful and more subtle than warning signs of a heart attack. They may include:
- Dizziness
- Speech difficulties
- Arm or leg weakness
- Confusion
- Vision loss
- Facial drooping
- Tingling or numbness in extremities
- Sudden incontinence
The chances of surviving and recovering from a stroke depend on what part and how much of the brain was affected. Immediate medical help increases the chance for recovery.
Stroke and heart attack are both age-related health problems. Longer life spans mean the conditions have become more common. Unfortunately, many patients still end up with some type of long-term disability.
The Future of Regenerative Medicine
There is hope that regenerative medicine, also known as stem cell therapy, may offer an option to help repair the damage caused by a stroke or heart attack. As medicine continues to advance, the damages of these serious conditions may become less permanent. Patients are exploring the beneficial opportunities that stem cells hold. If you would like to learn more contact a care coordinator today!
St. Petersburg, Florida
