A Stem Cell Primer: What Stem Cells Can Actually Do
Stem cell technology continues to forge ahead on a nearly daily basis; creating new developments, ideas, and technologies reported in stem cell news portals, magazines and newspaper articles around the world. However, it's amazing that even today, with Internet knowledge and research, that sherry few people know the difference between one stem cell and another, as well as the capabilities.
Stem Cell Primer
There are dozens of different types of stem cells, many of which have not yet been researched. Stem cells are divided into two different categories, based on their origin in the body, as well as how they can be used in research and medicine.
The origin of stem cells is divided into two separate categories: adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells come from the inside cellular mass of embryonic tissues, while adult stem cells can be found in the blood, bone, skin and other organs of the adult body.
Adult stem cells are also known as multipotent stem cells, because they have the ability to differentiate or change into certain types of stem cells in the body. Adult stem cells offer the advantage of the opportunity to use a patient's bone stem cells for his or her treatment, reducing the likelihood of rejection, illness, or side effects (much like an allergic reaction) because those cells are coming from that person's body.
Still, one of the most versatile stem cells is called a totipotent stem cell, which has the ability to become just about any type of cell in the body; heart, brain cell, liver, stomach, skin, and so forth.
Next on the list come pluripotent stem cells, offering cell degeneration in duplication somewhere between totipotent and multipotent stem cells. Stem cell research and development has identified many of these different types of stem cells and focused research on particular disease processes.
For example, adult stem cell research and therapy development has already displayed promising results in treating blood diseases and some cancers. Adult stem cells in fields of treatment and research for brain diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, as well as neuromuscular diseases such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis offer hope for the future of medicine.
Stem Cell Advancements
Umbilical cord blood stem cell therapy is utilized through the blood of umbilical cords after they and the rest of the afterbirth or placenta has been expelled from the body after a baby is born. Cord blood stem cell therapy is making huge advancements today. Thousands of individuals today have the potential of benefiting from a variety of human stem cell therapy and treatments.
Research continues at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, where researchers continue to search for ways to utilize pluripotent stem cells. These cells can be encouraged do help those diagnosed with an intestinal malady like inflammatory bowel disease, known as IBD, or other bowel conditions that cause discomfort, embarrassment and serious health issues.
Adult stem cells harvested from bone, blood, skin and organ tissues have the capacity to differentiate, or grow into specific types of stem cells that may help replenish damaged or injured cells in muscular tissue, cardiac tissue, and brain and nerve tissue.
Research into the medical and genetic benefits of stem cell technology and usage has led to multitudes of discover and greater understanding of the potential of stem cell therapy. Such therapy, which includes neural stem cell therapy, umbilical cord stem cell therapy and stem cell based therapy are leading the news these days, with new developments and discoveries keeping hope alive for those diagnosed with diabetes, heart or brain injuries and conditions.
Many types of stem cell therapy protocols and treatment possibilities continue to be developed for potential cures and help for treatment of skin conditions and anti-aging skin treatments, orthopedic treatments, and cardiac care, treatment of multiple types of cancer like bladder cancer, bone cancer and lung cancer, and in plastic and reconstructive surgeries and procedures.
Finding Stem Cell Treatments
PlacidWay, an international medical resource, provider and facilitator offers medical travelers and patients from around the world access and information regarding stem cell research and treatment facilities around the globe. From Mexico to South America to the Ukraine, PlacidWay offers detailed profiles regarding centers, stem cell treatments and therapies, and in-depth profiles and qualifications of doctors offering the latest in stem cell technology.
For more information regarding stem cell therapies, research and technologies, access PlacidWay at www.placidway.com.
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