Stem Cell Therapy for Neuropathy
No matter how far science has evolved, we still don’t have any methods to stop the aging process. As the body ages, many natural processes will also break down. The nerves in the extremities lose the sensitivity in time, sending messages to the brain slower and less precisely. The medical term is neuropathy, whereas peripheral neuropathy is the complete term.
Peripheral neuropathy is expected after a certain age, but people in their 30s, 40s, or 50s may also develop the disease due to auto-immune conditions or diabetes. Either way, peripheral neuropathy may significantly alter one’s quality of life, affecting mobility and changing daily activities.
More than 30 million Americans end up struggling with the condition, and the risk for a diabetes patient to develop diabetic neuropathy is high. 60% of them will eventually struggle with diabetic neuropathy. With so many people dealing with the disease and inefficient medical treatments, it makes sense that professionals will look for better therapies. Stem cell therapy for neuropathy is one of them, and you need to keep reading to find out the details.
What does stem cell therapy for neuropathy bring new?
Stem cells have made the highlight of the science world a couple of years ago. Ever since they have been identified, scientists didn’t stop from exploring the endless possibilities for treatment that these cells provide.
Stem cells are unique as they can become any sort of tissue of the human body. To some extent, they’re responsible for turning the fertilized egg into a perfectly functional baby human.
The stem cells can be collected from the blood or adipose tissue, and become the tissue needed for the patient. The stem cells for neuropathy therapy is fantastic as it’s now possible to reverse-engineer the adult stem cells and make them stable embryonic cells. In theory, stem cells could help develop curative treatments for the many incurable diseases that people deal with every day.
Stem cells will treat the nerve damage typical for the peripheral neuropathy. Stem cells are inserted into the affected area where the nerves are harmed. They will later heal the nerves in the affected region.
Mesenchymal stem cells will also eliminate neuro-regenerative and neuroprotective factors into the body. The process will push the body to begin the natural healing process. It sounds incredible, but the stem cells injected in the affected area will repair the affected nerves, which improves the nerve functionality in the brain and spinal cord.
Another significant part about stem cells is that they may be collected from various places. The most efficient stem cells are the ones from the umbilical cord blood, the bone marrow, and the adipose tissue.
What did the medical studies reveal?
As it’s such an innovative treatment, stem cell neuropathy is still in its early stages. A study was developed on ten female patients who were administered one stem cell injection for alleviating the pain caused by peripheral neuropathy. More than 50% observed a decrease in pain in the first six months. Additionally, they didn’t use the anti-neuropathic medications as often as before the stem cell treatment for neuropathy.
Even if the initial results are impressively positive, more research is required before the stem cell treatment for the disease becomes widely available. Currently, studies are made on identifying the best delivery method, the best source of stem cell to use, the amount of steam required for results, and so on.
What’s peripheral neuropathy? What are the causes and the symptoms?
Peripheral neuropathy causes nerve damage outside the spinal cord and the brain. A high level of nerve damage leads to an aggravation of the symptoms. Nerve malfunctioning gives pain to the patients, whereas lack of coordination, sensitivity to heat, paralysis, and numbness are some of the most typical symptoms associated with peripheral neuropathy.
Most of the time, the hands and feet are the most affected. Patients become unable to lift objects, grasp various items, walk properly, feeling tingling, weakness, and pain in the affected regions. The body may also lose the sense to the environment; patients become incapable of feeling vibration, high temperature, anxiety, and even touch.
What causes the disease?
Several factors are causing peripheral neuropathy, with diabetes and alcoholism as the most familiar to note. Auto-immune problems, tumors, genetic conditions, medications, infections, nutrient deficiency, pressure on the nerve, bone marrow problems, and poisoning may cause peripheral neuropathy.
Diabetic neuropathy is the most common form of neuropathy. High levels of fat and glucose in the blood will damage the nerves, causing the diabetic neuropathy.
Autonomic neuropathy is a severe form of the condition, as it affects a lot more than the extremities of the body. It can also damage the bladder, blood pressure, digestion, heart rate, and bowel function.
How is typically peripheral neuropathy addressed?
Traditional medical procedures are used for the treatment of patients with peripheral neuropathy. As many of the disease forms are still poorly understood, conventional medicine isn’t very successful. Medications are utilized for alleviating the pain, but the effects don’t last for a very long time. Weakness or numbness has little to no solving therapies.
As the alleviation of the pain is temporary, and the side effects are significant with the traditional medications, it’s evident that professionals have to look elsewhere for better therapies.
What’s the mechanism of stem cell treatment for neuropathy?
Unlike other health conditions, neuropathy stem cell treatments are less complicated. Mesenchymal stem cells will eliminate neuro-regenerative and neuroprotective factors. They are inserted in the blood and start to rebuild the nerves, reversing the disease’s harm.
Stem cells are also unusual because they can replicate endlessly, so the therapy gives results for a lifetime.
First, the stem cells will be collected from the patient (in case of an autologous transplant) or from a donor (it’s an allogeneic transplant). The specialized professionals will later cultivate the stem cells until they go to the desired level. They will then be injected into the patient’s blood.
It has been noted that several aspects will impact the efficiency of the stem cells, so additional therapies are used at reputed clinics performing the neuropathy stem cell therapy. At Holistic Sanctuary, for example, the body is prepared, and the treatment begins with a natural detox for eliminating all chemicals, toxic substances, and medication residues. Only organic, raw, plant-based, and non-GMO food is provided to the patient so that the stem cells get the natural ingredients they need for proper functioning.
The professionals at Holistic Sanctuary also developed five proprietary and different iv vitamin drips, so that the body gets the minerals, nutrients, and vitamins it needs for the stem cells neuropathy. HBOT method, acupuncture, or floatation treatment are also used, as they push the stem cells to grow faster.
With all of these therapies working together with the stem cells, good results will be obtained.
Are there any risks?
Just like with any other therapy, some risks are associated with stem cell treatment as well. Reaction to the injection is one to name, whereas responses to the preservatives used for the autologous transplant may occur. In the case of allogeneic transplantation, the patient may develop an immune answer to the donor cells. It’s also possible that the donor cells perceive the patient’s body as an “invader” and may attack it. Even if the risk for side effects exists, most of the time, it’s minor reactions. At Holistic Sanctuary, the staff-to-patient ratio is low, so every patient is monitored by a good number of professionals all the time. Emergency doctors and nurses are at the center and have the experience to act if something doesn’t go as planned.
How much does stem cell therapy for peripheral neuropathy cost?
Every aspect of stem cell treatment is new, and specialized professionals have to work every step of the way. The professionals collecting the stem cells, the ones expanding the stem cells in the laboratory, and even the professionals injecting the stem cells are highly specialized. The stem cells are transported in particular recipients, which will add to the costs of the stem cell treatments.
Stem cell treatment may begin at $5,000 and go as high as $25,000 and more for the more complex stem cell treatments.
The type of cells used, the complexity of the treatment, and the number of stem cell treatments that are needed are also impacting the final expenses.
Can stem cells cure neuropathy?
It’s still too early to tell if stem cells will cure neuropathy. So far, the studies have revealed positive outcomes for many patients undergoing stem cell treatments.
At the moment, patients may travel abroad to benefit from stem cell treatment. They may also enroll in clinical studies, which means lower spending for the treatment.
Can injections help neuropathy?
It seems that injections of medication into the areas affected are more efficient than oral medication as it goes straight to the painful area. Local anesthetics, steroids, and opioids are commonly used for traditional injections for neuropathy.
Steroid injections will reduce the irritation and the inflammation, alleviating pain. Opioid give reliable results, but the results don’t last, whereas the local anesthetics will break the cycle and lessen the pain for some time.
As they decrease the irritation, the injections may help the nerve or the spinal cord, and even heal. Nerve blocks improve the symptoms as they aim for the pain of the whole body. An epidural pain block is the right solution for back pain, for example.
When a small number of nerves or just one nerve causes the pain, the nerve blocks are very efficient, alleviating the ache within minutes.
Is there any new treatment for neuropathy?
With neuropathy affecting so many people, the high interest of medical professionals is understandable. Along with stem cell treatments, some new therapies for reducing pain are emerging.
Scientists discovered that stimulating the vagus nerve in the ear with electrodes may lower the chronic pain in neuropathy. The human ear was studied on a micrometer scale in a microanatomic study for more details. Scientists used a computer model to identify the best areas and the best pulse shapes for electric stimulation. Many patients have already benefitted successfully from the treatment.
What should the neuropathy patients do?
Patients with neuropathy should be open-minded, and stem cell therapy neuropathy a chance. At Holistic Sanctuary, stem cell therapy for neuropathy is part of a more complex and personalized treatment. Alternative therapies, intensive care, and dedication are part of our center’s offer, and you should give us a call for the details, or use the contact form below.