Before undergoing any sort of medical procedure, it’s important to learn as much as you can about it and make yourself aware of the possible risks that can arise – and stem cell treatment is no exception. If you’re thinking about having stem cell treatment performed, you likely have many questions you’d like to have answered. This article will aim to answer some of the more commonly asked questions in regards to stem cell treatment and provide useful information that will help you better understand stem cell treatment, what it involves and how it can be of benefit to you.
Which Diseases Can Stem Cell Treatment Treat?
Stem cell treatment has been around for many years, and the list of diseases it is being used to help treat continues to grow by the day. A lot of research is currently being done in order to determine what diseases may be treated in the future, but presently stem cell treatment is best used mostly for joint pain problems such as osteoarthritis, as well as psoriasis and a number of neurological disorders.
Can Anyone Undergo Stem Cell Treatment?
Stem cell treatment can be greatly beneficial for a lot of people, but unfortunately it isn’t suitable for everyone. Patients who suffer from certain conditions such as pregnancy, blood disorders, insufficient fat reserves (low BMI), infection, unstable illness, a history of frequent fainting, heart irregularity, dementia or cancer will most likely not be suitable candidates for stem cell treatment.
Should I Do Anything Before Surgery?
If you are a suitable candidate for stem cell therapy, your doctor will likely advise you to stop taking medication that can thin the blood, as this can affect the safety of the procedure.
How Long Does the Stem Cell Procedure Go For?
The length of time the procedure will take will depend on where the cells are being harvested from. If cells are being taken from body fat, then the procedure can take between 3 to 5 hours, whereas cells taken from bone marrow can take around 1 to 2 hours. It’s important to note that the injection process of the stem cell treatment will usually take place on the same day that the cells are extracted from the body.
Will I Need More Than One Treatment?
This depends on the patient and what they are being treated for. Due to the fact that every person who undergoes stem cell treatment is different, and individual circumstances and conditions can vary, it’s impossible to give a definitive answer to this question without seeing the patient. However, your doctor will be able to advise you during a consultation as to whether you’ll need to have more than one treatment.
When Can I expect To See Results?
Again, due to all cases and patients being different, it can be hard to say how long it will take to see results. During your consultation, your doctor should be able to indicate a time frame you may expect to see results in.