Stem Cells and Their Potential in Treating Chronic Conditions: An Overview
The term “stem cells” has been somewhat of a loaded term over the years due to various ethical and legal reasons. However, because of their sheer potential in treating all sorts of health issues, they are starting to become far more mainstream than they once were. Unfortunately, most folks only really know them in terms of the conversations surrounding fetuses and abortion, etc, making them something of an unknown entity for many. This post will provide a shallow dive into this subject, and if you are one of the unintentionally ignorant, it should offer you a starting point to continue your research.
There Are More Than One Type
When discussing this highly scientific topic, it’s easy to fall into the trap of the layman and believe that stem cells are simply one thing that has magical properties that can treat every disease under the sun (more on that later). The truth is that there are various types of stem cells, all derived from different locations of the body and at various stages of life. These can range from mesenchymal stem cells or MSCs, which are found in multiple tissues from a patient’s own bone marrow to the placenta and have been studied and shown to help repair skeletal tissues and reduce nervous system inflammation. This makes them a perfect candidate for treating issues like MS. You also have hematopoietic stem cells used to treat blood disorders, most notably leukemia.
What Health Problems Can They Treat
Research has indicated that different stem cells are capable of treating a myriad of health problems, in some cases when used in unison with other cells. For example, in the case of multiple sclerosis, the procedure might include the use of the aforementioned mesenchymal cells to reduce the inflammation that has caused the condition in the first instance, then utilize other stem cells to perform the repairs necessary to get the patient back to a healthy state. Although research is still ongoing, it is commonly accepted that various stem cells have a place in treating the following:
- Leukemia
- Severe Combined Immunodeficiency
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Heart Failure
- Macular Degeneration
It should be noted that not all versions of these examples can be treated, and you should always consult with a doctor at a facility specializing in stem cell treatment before taking any action. In some cases, a condition could be too far gone to gain any tangible effects.
They Aren’t A Panacea
When you first learn about these cells, it is very easy to get taken away with the hype and start believing that they can cure almost any disease or health condition imaginable. While they have been studied extensively and have been proven on the field in certain instances, they aren’t a panacea that will bring you back to perfect health. Instead, you need to look at them as another option in your toolbox that can be used alongside other treatments and therapies designed to work together.
Stem cells are a fantastic discovery and one that will go down in the history books along with the discovery of DNA and possibly even CRISPR technology. As long as you know what they are and how they can be used, it is possible to cure or reduce the effects of many diseases that plague humanity.
