MS, which stands for multiple sclerosis, is a lifelong autoimmune condition that affects the brain and central nervous system. It can be a debilitating condition, causing symptoms such as loss of balance, pain, vision problems, and muscle spasms. At the moment, there is no cure for multiple sclerosis. However, there are treatment options to help manage symptoms, with stem cell therapy being a particularly promising treatment type. Find out everything you need to know about stem cell therapy and its effectiveness in treating MS here at BioXcellerator.
All About Multiple Sclerosis
Let’s start by understanding multiple sclerosis. MS occurs when the body destroys too much myelin within the body, a process that’s called demyelination. Myelin has a pretty important function, as it provides a protective cover for the nerve cells, ensuring signals can travel through the body without issue. People with MS may find that those signals cannot travel properly due to the destruction of that protective cover, which causes symptoms like muscle spasms.
MS is an immune system disorder – it’s the immune system that attacks the myelin and causes the damage. It does this because it believes the myelin to be a harmful bacteria, when, in fact, it’s a crucial part of the body’s functioning process.
There is no exact cause of multiple sclerosis, although certain factors may make developing it more likely, such as childhood obesity, smoking, low vitamin D levels, and genetics. It usually occurs in people who are aged between 20 and 40.
About Stem Cell Therapy
Next, let’s understand stem cell therapy. Stem cell therapy is a regenerative medicine that uses stem cells from either embryos or adults to treat various conditions. These stem cells are derived from the human body and have unique abilities thanks to their growth factors and anti-inflammatory properties. When administered into the body, they can self-divide and regenerate new tissue, which is helpful when a person has damaged tissues causing symptoms. Stem cell treatments are incredibly versatile, able to treat a variety of ailments including multiple sclerosis.
Learn More: What Are Stem Cells?
Does Stem Cell Therapy Work for MS?
Yes – stem cell therapy works for MS, with the treatment having already helped many patients recover from the worst of their symptoms. There are a few different types of cells that work for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, including mesenchymal stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells, neural stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and human embryonic stem cells.
A lot of medical research has already gone into the effect of stem cell therapy on multiple sclerosis, with one study at the University of Cambridge and the University of Milan Bicocco showing that stem cell injections into the brain of MS patients were well tolerated with beneficial results, helping protect the patient’s brain from further damage due to MS. Studies are still going on, but there’s already plenty of evidence showing how much it works.
The Advantages of Stem Cell Therapy for MS
Stem cell therapy to treat multiple sclerosis has been an exciting development in recent years. Here are just some of the benefits:
It’s Not an Invasive Procedure
Some treatments for MS are quite invasive – particularly surgeries that patients undergo, like rhizotomy. Stem cell therapy is not a surgery; instead, it’s a series of injections administered into the problem area.
It May Reset the Immune System
One of the most incredible things about stem cell therapy is its ability to regulate the immune system. That’s the goal here with multiple sclerosis. With stem cell treatments, the immune system is less likely to attack myeline going forward, which means a reduction in symptoms in patients.
A Quick Recovery
Most people who undergo stem cell treatments will be back on their feet before long. The recovery time is fast, a major factor for people who lead busy lifestyles. The same cannot be said for certain other treatment methods.
It Promotes Disease Remission
One of the main goals of people with MS is to prevent disease progression, and that’s what stem cell therapy does. It manages this by regulating the immune system and lessening inflammation, which can help make symptoms easier and prevent the disorder from worsening, even leading to entire remission in some patients.
It is Versatile
Not everyone is affected by MS in the same way. The positive news is that stem cell therapy works for all types of multiple sclerosis, including primary progressive and secondary progressive. The versatile nature of stem cell therapy is partly what makes it so incredibly unique and exciting!
How Much Does Stem Cell Therapy for MS Cost?
The cost of stem cell therapy ranges significantly. It depends on the patient’s own symptoms and medical requirements. You can get a general idea of the price on the stem cell therapy cost page, but you’ll need to speak to a doctor at a consultation for an accurate number.
Should You Seek Stem Cell Therapy for MS?
If you suffer from multiple sclerosis, seeking out stem cell therapy is a very sensible option, as it could lead to remission. Of course, there are a couple of factors to consider first, including the cost of treatment and whether you have tried other treatment options beforehand. Your doctor will be able to help you make the right decision.
Read Next: What Are Stem Cell Injections?
Does Stem Cell Therapy Work for MS: In Summary
Stem cell therapy is a viable treatment option for multiple sclerosis. In fact, the incredible regenerative properties of stem cells can prevent further disease and even reverse some of the current symptoms. It’s a well-tolerated, safe treatment that has a lot of research to back it up.
If you have multiple sclerosis, stem cell therapy might be the treatment you’ve been looking for. If you’re interested in learning more about stem cell therapy for MS, our BioXcellerator team is more than happy to assist. We have a dedicated team of expert scientists and physicians on hand, so get in touch today. You can also check out the locations we cover – hopefully, our clinic locations can accommodate you.
