15 May Can Stem Cell Therapy Relieve My Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Symptoms?
Having a lung disease can make every little thing difficult, especially if you are an active individual. If you can’t breathe, normal tasks may seem impossible to manage. Housework, looking after young children, and even work can be hard with COPD. Stem cell therapy helps patients with COPD find relief from their symptoms, and may even reverse the effects of the disease. If you want relief from your wheezing and shortness of breath associated with COPD, find out more about stem cell therapy and if you may be a good candidate.
What is COPD?
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, can mean a variety of diseases including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and refractory (non-reversible) asthma. Emphysema occurs when there is damage to the air sacs in your lungs. The airways become flabby, and air gets trapped in the lungs. It becomes hard to exhale, creating a feeling of being short of breath. Bronchitis occurs when the bronchial tubes are irritated and swollen, causing coughing and shortness of breath. If the cough lasts at least three months for two years in a row, bronchitis has become chronic bronchitis. Refractory (non-reversible) asthma is a type of asthma that does not respond to usual asthma medications.
Some common signs and symptoms of COPD to watch out for are:
- Increased shortness of breath
- Frequent coughing (with and without mucus)
- Increased breathlessness
- Wheezing
- Tightness in the chest
What Is Stem Cell Therapy and How Can It Help My COPD?
Stem cells are how all other specialized cells in the body are made. There are multiple ways to ethically source stem cells: embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, adult cells that have been altered to have the same properties as embryonic stem cells, and perinatal stem cells. Stem cell-based therapies help with tissue regeneration because of their ability to create new cells that are the same as the injured area. These stem cells transform into the cells of the target area and heal it by creating newer, healthier tissue in the lungs. Stem cells can differentiate into several different lung cell types. Pre-clinical trials in animal models have suggested the regeneration of alveolar-like structures and reduction of inflammatory responses. Stem cells will heal your tissue from the inside out. New lung cells will begin to form, and old damaged tissue will be healed with new healthy tissue. If you would like to learn more about how stem cell therapy may help with your COPD, contact the experts at Arizona Pain Center to see if you are a good candidate for this treatment.
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