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PTSD and Addiction Cause-And-Effect!

July 26, 2015

Cause-And-Effect Relationship between PTSD and Addiction

It is a common medical practice addicts are tested for co-occurring physical and mental conditions each time they seek treatment. In many of those occasions they have actually been diagnosed with various forms of the same. Very much common among them is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). There are several accounts as to the connection between these two. One such theory is based on the fact many victims of PTSD have drug addiction or related issues. And there are available data that pretty much supports this.

According to a commonly cited report, an estimated 8% of Americans have suffered PTSD at one point in their lives. Out of them 34% men and 27% women have recorded drug addiction. Again, 52% men and 28% women victims of PTSD tested alcoholics. Given the statistics, PTSD ranks very highly among predisposing factors to drug addiction; that is, when compared with other forms of co-occurring physical and mental medical conditions.

From PTSD to Addiction; Escape Theory

The first explanation, rather one that is considered too obvious is that patients with PTSD related symptoms including: insomnia, pervasiveness, nightmares and mood swings sought escape in drugs. This according to proponents of the theory was one way the patients got reprieve from physical, psychosocial and the emotional pains.

With time more exploratory studies have been done. Some of these opine, suggest the reason many PTSD victims are diagnosed with drug addiction was broader than that. They do not however contradict the fact the paradigm of escape has offered a good part of the reason PTSD and addiction have such a relationship. For instance alcohol is a great depressant, given the statistics above it could as well be true very many resort to drinking the addictive substance in order to discharge their “pains”.

Cause-Effect PTSD Addiction Relationship; Increased-Risk Theory

Other than that the increased-risk philosophy also posits a cause-and-effect kind of relationship between PTSD and drug addiction. Proponents here argue before PTSD can develop a traumatic incident must occur first. They also posit the drug abusers often expose themselves to higher risks of such traumatic events. The point here is in as much as various PTSD symptoms very much pushes victims into drug use and addiction the vice versa is also true; that sometimes those already addicted may as well through their acts develop PTSD.

PTSD AND ADDICTION

From Addiction to PTSD; Vulnerability Theory

Some scientific researchers also argue whether PTSD symptoms come first or last, they have the ability to either cause an addiction or PTSD or make them perennial. Vulnerability theorists do not concern themselves with which causes what between these two, rather they concentrate on effects of PTSD symptoms and experiences of addicts on the functioning of their brains. Intoxicants for instance they argue have damaging effects on the brain that may make it very difficult for an addict to recover in this case therefore making it possible they develop persistent PTSD.

It has been established genetic factors make some people more susceptible to drug and alcohol addiction. In a recent study conducted by UCLA’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, it was found there is a link between particular genetic components and symptoms of PTSD. While there are no specific explanations yet as to why PTSD and addiction commonly co-exists, it is anticipated continued research may provide the missing links.

Effects Created by Co-Occurring Drug Addiction and PTSD

Effects of addiction far go beyond influencing a person’s body functions to both their physical and psychosocial lives. They include among others; physical pains, mental and emotional pains, relationship problems, work related problems, anger, memory loss, family quarrels and fits, depression, irritability, and problems falling asleep. PTSD pretty much has similar effects on its victims, which makes people who exhibit both PTSD and Addiction often perennial problems, for them these issues never seize. Such include: They tend to have escalated forms of these symptoms, hence making it much more difficult to get treated from any either drug addiction or PTSD.

Treatment Options for PTSD and Addiction

There are well over 17 medically recognized symptoms linked to PTSD, which clearly indicates just how troublesome it can be in the lives of victims. It is therefore prudent to seek relevant treatment for PTSD while seeking addiction related therapy. On the other hand drug addiction has a tendency to influence recognition of the brain to various drugs and related medical conditions. Drug addiction therefore has the capacity to make healing from PTSD very difficult. Treating both PTSD and addiction therefore requires a simultaneous approach.

PTSD AND ADDICTION

The first stride when for a patient with both conditions is to talk to his/her physician and seek more information about the treatment options. Medical scientific research evidence shows patients with both PTSD and SUD symptoms generally improve when provided with treatment options that addresses both conditions, which may involve among others the following:

 

  1. Behavioral couples therapy
  2. cognitive behavioral treatments (CBT)
  3. Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

For more information on the above, click http://www.integrativeaddiction2015.com. The link will also guide you on how to sign up for an upcoming Integrative Addiction Medicine Conference. You will also find a backgrounder about speakers lined up for the conference. If you need to learn some of the most recent studies on both PTSD, addiction, genetic transfer along generations, their relation, and more treatment options, the event is a must attend.

CAUSE-AND-EFFECT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PTSD AND ADDICTION

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Fetal Cells: Enhanced Efficiency And Effectiveness For Wound Healing.

June 4, 2015

Fetal Cells: Enhanced Efficiency And Effectiveness For Wound Healing

“Extensive burns and full thickness skin wounds can be devastating to patients, even when treated. There are an estimated 500,000 burns treated in the United States each year. The overall mortality rate for burn injury was 4.9 % between 1998 and 2007 and medical costs for burn treatments approach $2 billion per year,” Owan TE, Hodge D.O., Herges R.M, et al. (2006).

These statistics could as well be over 11 million injuries per year as claimed by some medical reports. Other than burns, full-thickness chronic wounds also claims a large number of patients and despite technological development of therapeutic approaches, healing rates remain way below 50 % of success.

Patients with the non-healing chronic wounds are as well estimated at about 7 million per year in the US alone. Yearly costs on the other hand continue to rise, the figure is currently approaching $25 billion. Patient survival is reportedly inversely proportional to the amount of time required to recover from such a chronic wound and to stabilize.

wound-healing

Those with severe burns of between or more than 15–20 % total their body surface area are also likely to go into shock without rapid treatment. In addition, without sufficient and or rapid fluid resuscitation, patient conditions deteriorate and mortality rates increase steeply.

Inadequate therapeutic programs often result in long-term patient complications including open wounds, prominent scars, prolonged pain, high temperature sensitivity, loss of feeling to touch and or itching.

Patients who suffer from such burns and or chronic wounds benefit from prompt treatments that result in appropriate closure and or protection of the wounds. Burn patients in particular, who receive delayed treatments, are usually subject to prolonged therapeutic care that has long-term negative physiological side effects.

Recent medical advancements have been made to handle wound healing; however, the generally accepted and practiced treatment approach still remains an autologous split-thickness skin graft. This involves extracting a piece of skin with the goal of removing stem cells from a minor surgical site on the patient’s body, stretching the skin, and re-applying the graft on the burn or chronic wound.

Stem cells are unspecialized cells in the body that majorly bear two specific characteristics. They have the capacity to replicate themselves indefinitely and have the ability to replace and or repair nearly all body tissues as directed.

Stem cells extracted from the amniotic fluid, (AFS) are reportedly a very rich cell source for use in regenerative therapy due to their high proliferation capacity, immune-modulatory activity and multipotency.

AFS also have the capacity to modulate inflammatory responses and secrete therapeutic cytokines. Because of these characteristics, AFS cells have been explored for treatments in wound healing and skin regeneration among similar therapeutic care.

These attempts have over time been backed by relevant scientific studies that increasingly indicate AFS cells are effective in accelerating healing of skin in embryonic environments and more recently in treating wounds in adults. More scientific evidence also points to the fact delivered cells are often temporary, that is, do not permanently integrate into final skin tissue.

Instead, they hide a portfolio of effective growth factors very vital to the skin regeneration and angiogenesis, suggesting a trophic ability of enhancing skin and or wound healing.

These initial pieces of scientific studies suggest delivery of AFS cells have the potential to be an effective cell treatment for enabling wound healing and should be considered for clinical trials and use in treating skin wounds in patients.

While this treatment indicates the ability to yield a reasonably good therapeutic outcome, if the wound is extensive, the number and size of donor sites may be limited, making autographs difficult to use in cases that require rapid and or aggressive measures to save the wounded patient’s life.

Alternatively, allografts may be used but the option suffers a critical need of immuno-suppressive drugs so as to prevent body immune rejection of the graft. This limitation has thus caused the creation of noncellular dermal substitutes, which most often comprises a polymeric scaffold.

They include skin regeneration template and Biobrane among others. Even though such polymeric scaffolds result in improved wound healing, they are costly to produce and more often result in relatively poor temporary outcomes.

Recent developments in tissue engineering have also led to more complex biological skin parallels that may yield more suitable alternative wound care options for patients. These include: cellularized graft-like products such as dermagraft, Apligraf (Organogenesis), and TransCyte, (Advanced BioHealing) among others.

The products are commonly polymer scaffold patches that are planted with human fibroblasts and cultured in vitro prior to their application. Unfortunately, these grafts are also expensive to produce, and as allografts, can suffer from the same immunological setbacks mentioned earlier.

Intergrative addiction Conference

This topic can go on and on. It is actually very interesting but it would not be possible to include everything in one article. However more information can be found at www.awaremednetwork.com. Dr. Dalal Akoury M.D., M.P.H., who is also a family physician and has many years of experience in integrative medicine will be of great assistance.

Also, do not miss an opportunity to learn and interact with various professionals during this year’s Integrative Addiction. For more information about the upcoming conference, visit http://www.integrativeaddiction2015.com. The conference will also deliver unique approaches to telling symptoms of addiction and how to assist patients of addiction.

Fetal Cells: Enhanced Efficiency And Effectiveness For Wound Healing.

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Sexual Abuse, Rape and Female Sex Addiction: The Link

May 18, 2015

Role of Sexual Abuse and Rape on Female Sex Addiction

Sex addiction is real and today very many people are enslaved to its chains, rummaging through life looking for all and every viable point of egress from this monster but to no avail. The reality however is that of all those who are already victims the fight against it is just as fierce as any other against other known addictions.  it is quite unfortunate that the dangers of sex addiction or the very existence  of this phenomenon is still overlooked, this is probably because most the people  affected by sex addiction are women who are not ready to expose themselves as sex addicts and look for help; the society can be blamed for this, women have been associated with all the wrong reasons, called derogatory names in relation to their sexuality so it no surprise that most of them will endure all the problems that come with sex addiction in silence. It is quite unfortunate that most of the people who are sex addicts do not even know that they are suffering from sex addiction. There are various causes of sex addiction but sexual abuse and rape have been linked to sex addiction as causative agents.

sex addiction

Though overlooked, sex addiction is a real problem that has been here to stay and will continue to cause nightmares to many people. Statistics has it that between 10% and 17% of people aged between 20- 35 years struggle with sex addiction. The frequency of sex addiction is said to be at 3% generally. Past sexual misgivings of a person may lead to sexual addiction, therapists, healers and doctors have all noted the clear correlation between sexual abuse and sex addiction. If a person got raped at a younger age, the incident will make him incapable of differentiating between healthy sexual relationship and unhealthy sexual relationship. as opposed to what many people think sexual addicts are not engaged in the act for the sake of pleasure they can get from, therapists have taught that these addicts do not even enjoy sex but use it to help numb their painful feelings that may stem from past experiences. Though the major causes of sexual abuse are sexual abuse and rape, the availability of free porn sites on the internet has fueled sex addiction. many people are able to log into these porn sites and watch the videos which further corrupts minds into believing that compulsive sexual behaviors are in fact a ‘virtue’ to be highly upheld. These videos depict sex as an act that is not borne out of love and care but rather out of compulsion.

Sex addicts may exhibit the following symptoms

  • Sexual thoughts that is obsessive.
  • having multiple sexual partners
  • prioritizing sexual intercourse even at the expense of the daily work
  • inability to stop or control the behaviors
  • linking sex to pain, most addicts believe sex have to be endured
  • having intercourse with prostitutes and minors
  • Quest for dominance and control in sexual encounters
  • feeling remorse or guilt after sex

Sexual abuse and rape are leading causes of sexual addiction.

When a child is raped, the emotional baggage will continue to haunt her for a long time into her adult hood. This trauma often leaves the mind craving for something to make up for the emptiness and feelings of bitterness that follows when a person has been sexually abused. To self-medicate most victims will turn to sex as a therapy and this compulsive sexual behavior will become a part of her life. According to Doug Weiss, a therapist and executive director of the Heart to Heart Counseling Center, 80 percent of sex addicts have been sexually abused in the past and the emotional baggage still haunts them.  These vies are also echoed by Mark Schwartz, psychologist and former director of the Masters and Johnson Institute in St. Louis, Missouri. He has observed that many people coming forward as sex addicts have been abused assaulted or raped. Dr. Schwartz opines that when a person has been raped or put through any other act of a sexual abuse in the past, she will fail to trust in other people and become more susceptible to turn to sex addiction as a manifestation. however he points out that this failure to trust people readily that makes people predisposed to sex addiction has also been shown by individuals who were neglected by parents mostly as a result of divorce or when the parents were engrossed in their professions and failed to spend time with the children.

sex addiction

It has been known that imbalances in the naturally occurring chemicals in the brain like the serotonin and dopamine can contribute to sexual problems but the relationship between these hormones and sex addiction have not been established. This according to Mayo Clinic may be because the research into the neuroscience of sex addiction has not been conclusive for the links to be drawn and established. However it has been found that these chemicals are lower in children who were sexually abused in the past and so they have to use their own bodies and sometimes food to help them boost their levels of these crucial hormones especially serotonin.

today very many people are suffering from sex addiction, the biggest problem that comes with sex addiction is that many addicts are not ready to accept what happened in the past and live in the present, most of them feel that they are to be blamed for what happened to them and hence not willing to open up and seek help. Here at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center we have enlisted sex addiction as a real threat that can only be treated through integrative medicine. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is an expert at this.  Call her on (843) 213-1480 for help.

Role of Sexual Abuse and Rape on Female Sex Addiction

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Adult Stem Cells Therapy Amplifies Anti-Aging

March 9, 2015

With New Technologies Stem Cell Therapy Has Become Effective For Anti-Aging

Every person would love to stay young forever. That is a fact. Being young has many advantages since that is the time when a person has unrivalled vitality and good health as well. However it is in human life cycles that at some point a person shall have to age, grow old. This to me is not a problem. Aging is just a stage in life just like puberty. In spite of aging being a step in the lifecycle of human beings, it comes with certain disadvantages, as people age production of crucial hormones that life depends upon may come to a halt giving rise to myriad complications. It is these complications that are the problem and not necessarily the aging itself. It is a basic fact that women in perimenopause and menopause tend to accumulate fat around the waist and hips. Some people may also become obese as they age, a condition which is a home to many diseases such as diabetes and some type of cancers. It is therefore important to prepare yourself and choose a lifetime that will help you live a healthy life even as you age. It has been encouraged that the best way to fight these illnesses and conditions that are associated with aging is by with increasing exercise, reducing alcohol intake and eating healthy foods. By reducing alcohol intake a person reduces the danger of calories being deposited right in the gut. You may also. Also, increase your healthy fat intake, omega-3 fatty acids and unsaturated fats. However you should eliminate Trans fats completely because there’s no safe amount of them.

Anti-Aging

When for instance you chose to live unhealthy lifestyle before aging, or with considerate leniency, you had to live an unhealthy lifestyle before aging and you begin suffering the consequences; diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia among other problems associated with aging, you will need medical help. Today researchers have discovered that stem cells can be used to help in fighting aging.  Researchers have verified that the stem cell therapy can be used as in anti-aging program. To many people the stem cell therapy may be a new term or better yet an innovative approach to treatment of diseases but the reality is that this approach to treatment of diseases and fighting aging has been used for ages now, but with recent breakthroughs in technology, the use of the stem cells in treatments have grown better. A bigger hurdle that many patients using stem cell therapy as anti-aging faced was that an aging person had less of the stem cells to be used in his own therapy. The procedure was also expensive too but now the stem cells can be easily obtained and effectively used as in fighting aging.

All people have stem cells, it’s only that their amount diminishes as a person ages. The most common is known as hematopoietic stem cells.  The type of adult stem cell that is most often seen in research associated with tissue repair is a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)

Different types of stem cells used as anti-aging agents

Stem Cell TherapyThere are different types of stem cells that are located in different parts of the body. These stem cells can be used to fight aging effectively. There is a type of stem cell known as hematopoietic stem cells. Hematopoietic stem cells are found circulating in the blood and the bone marrow. They produce blood cells such white blood cells and red blood cells among others. These stem cells can be utilized in helping to produce other types of stem cells which can effectively help to repair the body. This process is called plasticity. This process works on the basis that the stem cells have the ability to turn into different types of stem cells. Doctors may therefore go from a stem cell, which produces blood cells, to one which produces cartilage tissue or tendon tissue. When a bone marrow aspiration is performed doctors obtain a rich source of these stem cells that can be turned into more useful stem cells and be utilized in fighting age related conditions.

Researchers have found a specific stem cell type to be very important in stem cell therapy to fight aging. These stem cells that are considered to be the most important are known as the mesenchymal stem cells.  The Mesenchymal stem cells are found in the bone marrow, the circulating blood as well as in fat cells. Mesenchymal stem cells are the most important stem cells for orthopedic purposes as they help to   repair and replace damaged tissues.

The Mesenchymal stem cells are very helpful, however as a person ages the number of mesenchymal stem cells in the bone marrow gets depleted and this is what results in aging. It is therefore very logical to go through a stem cell therapy as an anti-aging procedure that will also help on mitigating on the adverse effects of aging.  The used of stem cells in treatments of certain diseases is not knew. However it is good to mention that when compared to embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells have distinct advantages. For one, they do not cause an immune reaction, and two there are no ethical issues, as they are your own cells.

With improved technology and equipment, the stem cell therapy has become a very effective treatment for age related ailments. Dr. Dalal Akoury is an experienced doctor especially in the field of integrative treatment. Visit her at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for more.

With New Technologies Stem Cell Therapy Has Become Effective For Anti-Aging

 

 

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Stem Cells As Used In Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

February 25, 2015

Stem Cells As Used In Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

Despite Rheumatoid Arthritis being a common disease many people still do not know much about this disease and therefore it is necessary to begin by shedding light on what rheumatoid arthritis is all about. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the patient’s immune system generates cellular and antibody responses to various components of the joint such as type I collagen. This immune response causes myriads of problems. First it causes joint destruction but it may also lead to other problems as pulmonary fibrosis, renal damage and even heart damage.

Rheumatoid arthritis is known for its debilitating effects especially since it destroys joints. Currently medical researchers are working on stem cell therapy; the medical fraternity has shown optimism that the stem cells can be used to help patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Stem cells are unprogrammed cells in the human body that have the ability to shift shape; they can be turned into different cells and used to replace the damaged cells causing problems. It is the ability of the stem cells to differentiate into other types of cells that have gave them the medicinal qualities that doctors are taking advantage of. Today, stem cells are at the center of a new field of science called regenerative medicine. Because stem cells can become bone, muscle, cartilage and other specialized types of cells, they have the potential to treat many diseases, including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Diabetes, arthritis, cancer among others.

The stem cell Therapy

Stem cell therapy is a strategy that is used in treating disease by introducing adult stem cells into damaged tissues in order to treat the disease, correct the damage and restore the functions of the tissues. there is optimism in medical research fields that the stem cells have the potential to change the face of human disease and alleviate suffering. The ability of stem cells to self-renew and give rise to subsequent generations with variable degrees of differentiation capacities, offers significant potential for generation of tissues that can potentially replace diseases and damaged areas in the body, with minimal risk of rejection and side effects.

Stem Cells As Used In Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis Despite Rheumatoid Arthritis being a common disease many people still do not know much about this disease and therefore it is necessary to begin by shedding light on what rheumatoid arthritis is all about. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the patient’s immune system generates cellular and antibody responses to various components of the joint such as type I collagen. This immune response causes myriads of problems. First it causes joint destruction but it may also lead to other problems as pulmonary fibrosis, renal damage and even heart damage. Rheumatoid arthritis is known for its debilitating effects especially since it destroys joints. Currently medical researchers are working on stem cell therapy; the medical fraternity has shown optimism that the stem cells can be used to help patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Stem cells are unprogrammed cells in the human body that have the ability to shift shape; they can be turned into different cells and used to replace the damaged cells causing problems. It is the ability of the stem cells to differentiate into other types of cells that have gave them the medicinal qualities that doctors are taking advantage of. Today, stem cells are at the center of a new field of science called regenerative medicine. Because stem cells can become bone, muscle, cartilage and other specialized types of cells, they have the potential to treat many diseases, including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Diabetes, arthritis, cancer among others. The stem cell Therapy Stem cell therapy is a strategy that is used in treating disease by introducing adult stem cells into damaged tissues in order to treat the disease, correct the damage and restore the functions of the tissues. there is optimism in medical research fields that the stem cells have the potential to change the face of human disease and alleviate suffering. The ability of stem cells to self-renew and give rise to subsequent generations with variable degrees of differentiation capacities, offers significant potential for generation of tissues that can potentially replace diseases and damaged areas in the body, with minimal risk of rejection and side effects. Stem cells for Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis is not easily treated. The methods that have been used to treat, some of which are still being used are not very effective and pose a great threat in the long term. They may offer momentary relief but these approaches possess long-term adverse effects due to non-specific inhibition of immune responses. In addition, the methods that have been used do not attempt to heal the damage that has already taken place in the joints and other tissues. these methods that have been in use may include immune suppressive agents such as steroids, methothrexate, cyclosporine, gold, and infliximab. It is expected that with advancement in treatment strategies of Rheumatoid Arthritis and use of target therapies, the patients will have a better way to acquire treatment. Stem cell therapy is one of these advancements. Currently, there are many institutions that are studying the effects of adult stem cell therapy on patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Stem cell therapy is viewed as a clever way of treating rheumatoid arthritis since the disease causes inflammations and tissue damage, the stem cells can be used as target therapy to replace cells damaged in the inflamed areas of the body by inducing an anti-inflammatory effect. The ability of the stem cells to produce regular T cells is also being studied; T cells are a type of immune cell whose responsibility is to regulate the immune system while maintaining tolerance to self-antigens. By differentiating into these types of healthy cells there is hope that adult mesenchymal cells will be able to address the complications caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis. In animals, stem cells therapy has shown considerable achievement in healing different forms of arthritis. A company known as Vet-Stem routinely utilizes stem cells in horses with various joint deformities to accelerate healing. There is also another advantage that stem cell therapy brings, the stem cell therapy not only helps in healing of damaged tissues but also modulates the immune system so as to shut off pathological responses while preserving ability to fight off diseases. Stem cells and specifically, mesenchymal stem cells home to inflamed tissue and start producing anti-inflammatory agents. These mediators act locally and do not suppress the immune response of the patient’s whole body. Various ways of administering Stem cells As known rheumatoid arthritis affect specific parts of the body, especially the joints where they damage the every tissue. With the stem cell therapy these damaged tissues can be targeted locally by introducing large amounts of stem cells into the areas where they are mostly needed. Here are some of the ways through which the stem cells can be administered into the affected areas of the body.  Full body IV – directed into the vein  Intra Nasal – administration to access a highly vascular pathway of the nose to encourage more stem cells to travel past the blood brain barrier.  Direct site injections – injected directly into the site that needs repair, i.e., muscles and tendons Where can we harvest the stem cells For treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, a specific type of stem cells is used. This type of stem cell is known as allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells to treat rheumatoid arthritis. The allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells can be obtained from human umbilical cords donated after normal, healthy births. Finally, you need help to live a life that is free from chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis; you will also need help when you are sick of the same. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD), founder of the AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center Located at Myrtle Beach, North Caroline has unequalled experienced in handling these diseases, call on her for help. Stem Cells As Used In Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

Stem cells for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is not easily treated. The methods that have been used to treat, some of which are still being used are not very effective and pose a great threat in the long term. They may offer momentary relief but these approaches possess long-term adverse effects due to non-specific inhibition of immune responses. In addition, the methods that have been used do not attempt to heal the damage that has already taken place in the joints and other tissues. these methods that have been in use may include immune suppressive agents such as steroids, methothrexate, cyclosporine, gold, and infliximab. It is expected that with advancement in treatment strategies of Rheumatoid Arthritis and use of target therapies, the patients will have a better way to acquire treatment. Stem cell therapy is one of these advancements.

 

Currently, there are many institutions that are studying the effects of adult stem cell therapy on patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Stem cell therapy is viewed as a clever way of treating rheumatoid arthritis since the disease causes inflammations and tissue damage, the stem cells can be used as target therapy to replace cells damaged in the inflamed areas of the body by inducing an anti-inflammatory effect. The ability of the stem cells to produce regular T cells is also being studied; T cells are a type of immune cell whose responsibility is to regulate the immune system while maintaining tolerance to self-antigens. By differentiating into these types of healthy cells there is hope that adult mesenchymal cells will be able to address the complications caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis.

In animals, stem cells therapy has shown considerable achievement in healing different forms of arthritis. A company known as Vet-Stem routinely utilizes stem cells in horses with various joint deformities to accelerate healing. There is also another advantage that stem cell therapy brings, the stem cell therapy not only helps in healing of damaged tissues but also modulates the immune system so as to shut off pathological responses while preserving ability to fight off diseases. Stem cells and specifically, mesenchymal stem cells home to inflamed tissue and start producing anti-inflammatory agents. These mediators act locally and do not suppress the immune response of the patient’s whole body.

Various ways of administering Stem cells

Rheumatoid ArthritisAs known rheumatoid arthritis affect specific parts of the body, especially the joints where they damage the every tissue. With the stem cell therapy these damaged tissues can be targeted locally by introducing large amounts of stem cells into the areas where they are mostly needed. Here are some of the ways through which the stem cells can be administered into the affected areas of the body.

  • Full body IV – directed into the vein
  • Intra Nasal – administration to access a highly vascular pathway of the nose to encourage more stem cells to travel past the blood brain barrier.
  • Direct site injections – injected directly into the site that needs repair, i.e., muscles and tendons

Where can we harvest the stem cells

For treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, a specific type of stem cells is used. This type of stem cell is known as allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells to treat rheumatoid arthritis. The allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells can be obtained from human umbilical cords donated after normal, healthy births. Finally, you need help to live a life that is free from chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis; you will also need help when you are sick of the same. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD), founder of the AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center Located at Myrtle Beach, North Caroline has unequalled experienced in handling these diseases, call on her for help.

Stem Cells As Used In Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

 

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