Giving COPD Patients Something to Breathe Easier About
As they say, quality of life is priceless. But for many people suffering from COPD, this can seem like a distant dream.
Short for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, we hear the term used on those television ads showing a middle aged man or woman looking for relief from their breathing difficulties. While some viewers who have seen these ads may not be aware of the disease and its devastating effects, those that suffer from its symptoms are all too familiar with the pain that it causes.
Often mistaken for other ailments such as asthma and acute bronchitis, COPD is an umbrella term for two diseases -- chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Characterized by a persistent airflow limitation, the disease is the fourth largest killer in the United States, and affects over 16 million Americans. The main causes of COPD include smoking and long term exposure to lung irritants.
While more information is released on a regular basis about COPD, many of those patients suffering from its symptoms still aren't aware of new treatment options available. From inhalers to steroids, most of the information available promotes preventive care or medications that manage the patient's symptoms as the disease progresses. Because COPD is a progressive disease, reversal is not possible through conventional medicine.
However, cutting-edge treatment options such as stem cell therapy are starting to gain ground as more patients are experiencing positive results. Autologous stem cell treatments, where the stem cells come from the patient's own body, are effective in treating COPD.
The Adult Adipose-derived Stem Cell treatment process, offered by the International Stem Cell Institute based out of San Diego, California, gives renewed hope for those suffering with COPD who are open to considering an effective alternative.
During the procedure, adipose tissue (fat) is removed from the patient using mini-liposuction, and processed with a combination of PRP (platelet rich plasma) which includes growth factors that have a powerful impact on cell development, growth and proliferation. A specialized low laser light is used to activate the stem cells, and is then administered via an IV infusion over a 1-2 hour period of time. From there, the circulatory system sends the stem cells to the patient's lungs, where they remain. This is due to the fact that blood makes a "first pass" through the lungs before reaching the heart. Once these stem cells enter the lung, they commence doing their healing and regenerative work. As part of this, the stem cells facilitate repair of damaged air sacs and the subsequent replacement of diseased cells with healthy cells.
The IV infusion is an easy out-patient procedure and an excellent method for treating COPD, as up to 80% of the stem cells guided by the circulatory system will go to the lungs if repair work is needed.
Recent studies indicate that a particular type of stem cell, mesenchymal stem cells, have the ability to suppress many of the immune system assailants such as macrophages that attack emphysema-ridden lung tissue. Not surprisingly, many people with COPD who have been treated with fat tissue derived stem cells have reported experiencing reductions in shortness of breath and reliance on supplemental oxygen.
While research into COPD has been slow, new treatment options such as stem cell therapy is giving hope to those who are seeking treatment, and open the door to other alternative techniques and approaches. For more information about stem cell therapy, visit the International Stem Cell Institute at www.iStemCelli.com.
Short for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, we hear the term used on those television ads showing a middle aged man or woman looking for relief from their breathing difficulties. While some viewers who have seen these ads may not be aware of the disease and its devastating effects, those that suffer from its symptoms are all too familiar with the pain that it causes.
Often mistaken for other ailments such as asthma and acute bronchitis, COPD is an umbrella term for two diseases -- chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Characterized by a persistent airflow limitation, the disease is the fourth largest killer in the United States, and affects over 16 million Americans. The main causes of COPD include smoking and long term exposure to lung irritants.
While more information is released on a regular basis about COPD, many of those patients suffering from its symptoms still aren't aware of new treatment options available. From inhalers to steroids, most of the information available promotes preventive care or medications that manage the patient's symptoms as the disease progresses. Because COPD is a progressive disease, reversal is not possible through conventional medicine.
However, cutting-edge treatment options such as stem cell therapy are starting to gain ground as more patients are experiencing positive results. Autologous stem cell treatments, where the stem cells come from the patient's own body, are effective in treating COPD.
The Adult Adipose-derived Stem Cell treatment process, offered by the International Stem Cell Institute based out of San Diego, California, gives renewed hope for those suffering with COPD who are open to considering an effective alternative.
During the procedure, adipose tissue (fat) is removed from the patient using mini-liposuction, and processed with a combination of PRP (platelet rich plasma) which includes growth factors that have a powerful impact on cell development, growth and proliferation. A specialized low laser light is used to activate the stem cells, and is then administered via an IV infusion over a 1-2 hour period of time. From there, the circulatory system sends the stem cells to the patient's lungs, where they remain. This is due to the fact that blood makes a "first pass" through the lungs before reaching the heart. Once these stem cells enter the lung, they commence doing their healing and regenerative work. As part of this, the stem cells facilitate repair of damaged air sacs and the subsequent replacement of diseased cells with healthy cells.
The IV infusion is an easy out-patient procedure and an excellent method for treating COPD, as up to 80% of the stem cells guided by the circulatory system will go to the lungs if repair work is needed.
Recent studies indicate that a particular type of stem cell, mesenchymal stem cells, have the ability to suppress many of the immune system assailants such as macrophages that attack emphysema-ridden lung tissue. Not surprisingly, many people with COPD who have been treated with fat tissue derived stem cells have reported experiencing reductions in shortness of breath and reliance on supplemental oxygen.
While research into COPD has been slow, new treatment options such as stem cell therapy is giving hope to those who are seeking treatment, and open the door to other alternative techniques and approaches. For more information about stem cell therapy, visit the International Stem Cell Institute at www.iStemCelli.com.
