Many of our patients suffer from diseases and conditions that become more common as we age and tissue throughout the body degenerates over time.
But gastro-intestinal diseases such as ulcerative colitis are usually diagnosed at younger ages, often as early as 15 years old in some patients. Traditional treatments are often ineffective, but this post explains how stem cells can often help these patients.
Although the exact cause of ulcerative colitis isn’t clear, tissue in the digestive system, especially the large colon, degenerates because a poorly functioning immune system causes the body to attack its own cells.
Symptoms of ulcerative colitis include:
- Diarrhea
- Rectal bleeding and pain
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Inability to defecate even when the need seems urgent
- Weight loss
- Fatigue and fever
Although ulcerative colitis is not generally a life-threatening disease, it’s certainly a very serious threat to anyone – especially to young adults – expecting to live an active and “normal” lifestyle. Many activities most of us take for granted and work environments become far more challenging when unpredictable flare ups of cramping and pain are always a threat.
If for example, if you’re a professional musician, a firefighter, or in any career that requires travel away from home or workplace, you can’t easily perform if you suffer from symptoms like these. Consider a condition that requires that you constantly need to be mindful of the location of the nearest bathroom and how that can impact life at home or work. This is why many patients suffer not only physical symptoms of ulcerative colitis, but also feelings of isolation and a tendency to be less active, which can impact health.
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation recently held its (name of conference we are promoting with link) to help patients and their families cope with this disease and better understand treatment options and how new research may offer even more effective treatments. This research is important because while current treatments that are usually offered can help some patients, others can continue to suffer from severe symptoms.
Treatment options for ulcerative colitis
The first treatments for patients diagnosed with ulcerative are usually based on medications. These include anti-inflammatory medications, such as corticosteroids, or immune system suppressors that can help reduce inflammation that causes symptoms.
And various biologics such as Infliximab and Vedolizumab may also be helpful by targeting proteins made by the immune system. However medications and biologics:
- Can cause serious side effects
- May become less effective over time and provide less relief
- Only alleviate symptoms and do not restore proper immune function or regenerate damaged tissue in the gastrointestinal tract
If medications are no longer effective, surgery often becomes the next treatment option. In some cases, surgery is performed to remove the entire colon and rectum. This cures ulcerative colitis, but requires that patients wear a colostomy bag for the rest of their lives. This may be necessary because left untreated, ulcerative colitis can cause a wide range of major health issues.
Complications of a serious disease
Untreated or poorly managed ulcerative colitis can lead to many complications with risk growing the longer patients suffer from this disease. These include:
- Toxic megacolon: Severe inflammation in the colon that can lead to perforation of the colon and require immediate attention.
- Bowel perforation: If the colon does become perforated, a leak can cause peritonitis, a serious medical emergency.
- Increased risk of colorectal cancer: Ulcerative colitis, particularly involving the entire colon, is associated with an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer.
- Anemia: Digestive diseases often result in blood conditions that cause fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.
- Osteoporosis: Long-term use of corticosteroids to treat ulcerative colitis can contribute to bone loss and more risk of serious fracture.
- Malnutrition: Inflammation in the digestive tract causes interference in absorbing vital nutrients that can lead to weight loss
But one of the most serious complications to overall health and wellness from ulcerative colitis comes from living a less active and more sedentary life. This can lead to increasing overall chronic inflammation, which can cause even more health issues to surface as we age.
Another treatment option: Stem cells
At BioXcellerator, we treat many patients for ulcerative colitis. Current treatments merely address symptoms, but do not help regenerate damaged tissue or help restore immune function. Yet ongoing research into regenerative medicine shows that mesenchymal stem cells derived from umbilical cord tissue administered intravenously – in combination with a holistic approach to treatment – can:
- Relieve symptoms of ulcerative colitis, including cramping and pain
- Reduce the frequency of bowel movements and bloody stools
- Repair and regenerate damaged gastrointestinal tissue
From our experience, we know that the best therapy begins with the best cells. Our BioXcellerator Signature Cells are produced in our own lab from mesenchymal stem cells derived from Wharton’s jelly umbilical cord tissue.
Based on our proprietary protocols, these cells are cultured and expanded and tested to
make sure they meet high standards for purity and potency and can offer:
- High levels of anti-inflammatory properties
- Best potential to modulate your immune system
- More potential to stimulate healing
We have treated many patients for gastro-intestinal diseases, including ulcerative colitis. One of these patients, Michael Padilla says that our clinic offers an “all-encompassing, full treatment, not just stem cells.” He also explains that the quality of cells available at clinics outside the U.S. is higher than cells available at U.S. clinics, which are not allowed to use the most effective protocols.
Michael was also treated for degenerative joint arthritis and says, “We got more done in a short time at BioXcellerator that we could have gotten done in months or even years in the United States.”
Improve your quality of life or help a loved one who suffers from ulcerative colitis. Learn how stem cells can help relieve the symptoms of ulcerative colitis and possibly regenerate damaged tissue and improve overall health.
