Stroke Management Through Stem Cells
Stem cells may have a role in stroke management and in the treatment if other acute diseases. As we have mentioned in a previous post, “Stem Cells and Anti Ageing: Looking and Feeling Your Best“, stem cell therapies are being used more and more to treat a variety of chronic medical conditions, including congestive heart failure, degenerative arthritis, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, emphysema, and more. Their application has now spread to acute diseases.
A recent study published in the Annals of Neurology was carried out to determine if stem cells were feasible in patients with ischemic stroke management. Results of animal studies show that stem cells reduce neurological deficits.
Types of Strokes
There are two basic types of strokes; hemorrhagic and ischemic. Hemorrhagic stoke occurs when a blood vessel ruptures and there is bleeding into the brain. An ischemic stroke occurs when the blood flow to the brain is obstructed or blocked. Ischemic strokes are far more common.  Every 40 seconds someone in the United States experiences a stroke affecting almost 800,000 individuals a year.
The best current treatment for an ischemic stroke is the use of a clot-busting drug, but only one-third of the patients are a candidate for it. Certainly other treatments need to be investigated to better manage the problem of ischemic stroke.
Stems and Stroke Management
The study published in the Annals of Neurology was specifically designed to determine if stem cells in the management of an acute ischemic stroke is feasible and safe. Although, the study was small, only 10 patients, there were no significant adverse effects. The patients in the study were also compared to a historical group of patients admitted to the hospital for stroke. A number of patients in the stem cell treatment group did better than the historical controls. However, the study itself did not have a control group limiting the analysis.
So this study provides the first evidence that stem cells appear safe in the management of an acute ischemic stroke. But, for now the best thing to do is minimize your chances of getting a stroke by making sure your blood pressure is well controlled, and by taking steps to minimize silent inflammation in the body by eating properly, keeping your weight under control, and keeping blood sugar levels at optimal levels.
As more informationbecomes available regarding stem cells in stroke managment and treatment of other conditions we will report on it.
See related articles.
“Stem Cells: the Future is Now!”
“Stem Cells and Anti Ageing: Looking and Feeling Your Best”
“Stem Cell Extracts and Skin Care”
