What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating disease that affects more than 2.3 million people worldwide. It is considered an immune-mediated condition that affects the central nervous system (CNS). Essentially, the body’s own immune system wrongly attacks normal cells in the brain, spinal cord, and other nerves in the CNS.
This immune system attack results in inflammation that can damage nerve cells. More specifically, the immune system can damage myelin, the protective sheath that surrounds nerve fibers. Think of it as the rubber outer covering being stripped away from electrical wires.
MS can result in symptoms such as the following:
- Increased fatigue
- Numbness
- Spasms
- Balance issues
- Coordination problems
- Paralysis
- Sexual dysfunction
- Cognitive dysfunction with memory and focus.
Because MS is chronic and quite unpredictable, symptoms may arise and disappear without notice. The age of diagnosis varies greatly: some people can be diagnosed early in their 20s, or as late as their 50s.
While the exact cause of MS is unknown, anyone can develop the disorder. Research has shown that some genetic and environmental factors may play a role. Race and gender may also affect the incidence of MS. For instance, one study found that more women are affected by the disease than men. Additional research is being performed to evaluate these factors.
How Might Regenerative Therapy Help?
Fortunately, the overall prognosis has improved for patients suffering from multiple sclerosis. While traditional therapy includes medications to prevent relapse and disease progression, regenerative therapy may be the answer to more fully rejuvenate the body and bypass adverse side effects associated with medications.
Regenerative therapy allows the body to repair itself and may replace damaged nerve cells with new ones. Research has found that hematopoietic stem cells can also support anti-inflammatory processes and aid treatment. By replacing myelin on nerve cells and “rebooting” the immune system, someone affected by MS may feel relief and improvements in quality of life.
Regenerative therapy has been shown to produce benefits in those with multiple sclerosis, including:
- Improved energy
- Reduced chronic or acute pain
- Increased focus and cognitive function
- Improved body coordination
- Reduced muscle spasms
- Increased exercise and muscle capacity
- Improved speech
- Reduced depression
- Improved sense of touch
- Improved bladder function
- Improved movement
Current Therapeutic Options for MS
Current treatment for MS includes injectable, oral, and infused medications. These medications include Avonex, Gilenya, and Lemtrada among many others. While these drugs may temporarily alleviate symptoms of MS, they do come at a cost.
Current medications for MS can cause even more debilitating side effects. Some adverse effects may include the risk of liver injury, severe depression, and congestive heart failure. The risk of these adverse reactions is especially increased with interferon beta injections. Other adverse reactions include seizures, hypothyroidism, and thrombocytopenia (low platelet counts in the blood).
Overall, current MS treatment is meant to regulate and slow down the immune system from attacking the nervous system. It does not support any type of myelin repair. Therefore, the condition may still progress over time with increasing damage to the central nervous system.
Advancements and Benefits of Regenerative Therapy
Research has found that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may provide therapeutic benefits for those with MS. These cells possess remarkable therapeutic activity to repair myelin. These MSCs have also been studied to enhance cognitive and motor capabilities with low risk of adverse effects.
The impact of multiple sclerosis on the human body is analogous to that of a continuous bombing attack on a city. Residents are unsuccessful in their ongoing attempts to restore the city, as it is under constant onslaught. Similarly, the body is unable to repair itself while attempting to fend off the unending onslaught. The mesenchymal stem cells can re-modulate the immune system and return it to a state of rest, effectively stopping the autoimmune attack. With this destructive force blunted, the body can now restore itself to proper health.
The primary side effects experienced in clinical trials with MSCs included minor headaches and fatigue, which is already common in MS patients. After 1 month, patients have experienced improvements in mobility, sense of touch, and sexual dysfunction. After 1 year, MS patients who underwent regenerative therapy were able to walk and engage in work activities without assistance.
In the end, regenerative therapy over a period of 1 to 12 months has shown increased safety and effectiveness when compared to current MS medications. With the use of specialized cells in the body, regenerative therapy can selectively repair and improve the function of the CNS over the course of treatment. The low risk of adverse effects coupled with anti-inflammatory and immune-mediated benefits marks the foundation of regenerative therapy.
For More Information
GIOSTAR’s highly trained healthcare professionals have already helped many individuals experience the benefits of regenerative therapy. Our procedures are based on more than two decades of groundbreaking research by GIOSTAR Co-Founder and Chairman Dr. Anand Srivastava. You can rest assured knowing that we will walk you through every step of the way to better health and rejuvenation.
We invite you to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have regarding this promising therapeutic option, by contacting us online, or via email (info@giostarchicago.com), or phone at 844 446 7827.
