While regenerative medicine is still considered to be a developing and innovative field, it’s not necessarily new. Regenerative medicine focuses on using the body’s natural healing mechanisms to learn how to restore or reestablish human cells, tissues, or organs to their proper function.
Regenerative medicine began shifting the medical field in the 1950s and 60s with the first organ transplants. However, the term “regenerative medicine” was coined in 1992 in a paper by Leland Kaiser when discussing new technologies that could change the future of hospitals.
Stem cells serve as one of the most significant components of regenerative medicine. After scientists initially discovered stem cells in 1978, the unique cells have led the way in allowing scientists and researchers to understand the human body and develop new treatments.
What Are Stem Cells?
Stem cells are the starting point of all cells in the body. A stem cell is the only cell in the body that can differentiate into another stem cell or a specialized cell, like a blood cell, muscle cell, or brain cell.
Stem cells are first found in blastocysts, a rapidly dividing ball of cells that eventually becomes an embryo. However, they are present in the body throughout our lives. While stem cells typically lie dormant, when we experience an injury or disease, they can divide to replace dead or dying cells within the body.
How Are Stem Cells Used in Regenerative Medicine?
Scientists discovered that they could collect stem cells (mesenchymal stem cells) from a patient and then administer these specialized cells into the patient to facilitate healing.
As researchers continue to discover more about stem cells and how they can use them to treat conditions, their use may facilitate options for condition management such as:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Parkinson’s disease
- ALS
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Osteoarthritis
Regenerative medicine offers patients a new alternative to help manage their symptoms and also help to slow down any further progression, so they be able to have the opportunity to potentially have a better quality of life.
This post was written by a medical professional at Stemedix Inc. At Stemedix we provide access to Regenerative Medicine. Regenerative medicine has the natural potential to help improve symptoms sometimes lost from the progression of many conditions. The professionals at stemedix will break down exactly what is stem cell therapy.
