Stem Cell Therapy for Lupus - Stem Cell Therapy

Stem Cell Therapy for Lupus Abroad

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease which makes the body's immune system attack healthy tissues and organs. Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems, among which the joints, skin, brain, kidneys, blood cells, heart and lungs.

The disease can be difficult to diagnose because its signs and symptoms are easily mistaken to those of other ailments. The most distinctive sign of lupus is a facial rash that resembles the wings of a butterfly unfolding across both cheeks. This symptom occurs in many but not all cases of lupus. Some people are born with a tendency toward developing lupus, which may be triggered by infections, certain drugs or even sunlight. While there's no cure for lupus, treatments can help control symptoms

Types of Lupus

There are several types of Lupus, with the most common one known as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or SLE. Other types include discoid (cutaneous), drug-induced, and neonatal.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is more severe than discoid lupus because it can affect any of the body's organs or organ systems. In some people the inflammation or other problems might affect only the skin and joints, while in others, the joints, lungs, kidneys, blood, and/or the heart. This type of lupus is also often characterized by periods of flare (when the disease is active) and periods of remission (when the disease is dormant).

Patients with discoid lupus have a version of the disease that affects only the skin. It is characterized by a rash that appears on the face, neck, and scalp, and it does not affect internal organs. Less than 10% of patients with discoid lupus progress into the systemic form of the disease, but there is no way to predict or prevent the path of the disease.

Drug-induced lupus is caused by a reaction with certain prescription drugs and causes symptoms very similar to SLE. The drugs most commonly associated with this form of lupus are a hypertension medication called hydralazine and a heart arrhythmia medication called procainamide, but there are some 400 other drugs that can also cause the condition. Drug-induced lupus is known to subside after the patient stops taking the triggering medication.

A rare form of Lupus is the Neonatal Lupus when a mother passes autoantibodies to a fetus. The unborn and newborn child can have skin rashes and other complications with the heart and blood. Usually a rash appears but eventually fades within the first six months of the child's life.

Symptoms of Lupus

Each case of Lupus is unique with symptoms that can come on suddenly or develop slowly, mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The most common signs and symptoms include:

• Fatigue and fever
• Joint pain, stiffness and swelling
• Butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose
• Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure (photosensitivity)
• Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods (Raynaud's phenomenon)
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Dry eyes
• Headaches, confusion and memory loss

Causes of Lupus

Lupus occurs when the immune system attacks healthy tissue in your body. It's likely that lupus results from a combination of genetics and the environment in which the individual lives. It appears that people with an inherited predisposition for lupus may develop the disease when they come into contact with something in the environment that can trigger lupus. The cause for lupus in most cases, however, is unknown. Some potential triggers include:

• Sunlight. Exposure to the sun may bring on lupus skin lesions or trigger an internal response in susceptible people.
• Infections. Having an infection can initiate lupus or cause a relapse in some people.
• Medications. Lupus can be triggered by certain types of anti-seizure medications, blood pressure medications and antibiotics. People who have drug-induced lupus usually see their symptoms go away when they stop taking the medication.

Stem Cell Therapy for Lupus

Stem cells possess the potential to develop into many different types of cells in the body. They serve as a repair system for the body. Mesenchymal stem cells are found in mature tissues that have already developed. They are more specialized than embryonic stem cells. The body uses these cells to replace other cells that die off throughout the normal course of life. As they are not from fetal tissue, mesenchymal stem cells do not have the same ethical concerns or restrictions that embryonic stem cells do.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are derived from bone marrow, umbilical cords and other tissues. These anti-inflammatory cells have unique properties that make them attractive as therapy for autoimmune diseases. MSCs have been studied in inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and scleroderma. In these studies, MSC treatment has been found to be effective and only minimal side effects reported.

Stem cell therapy holds promise as a safe and effective alternative for people with lupus who do not benefit from the current treatments available. Mesenchymal stem cell research has provided hope to people with formerly incurable and devastating conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, leukemia, heart diseases, multiple sclerosis, juvenile diabetes and osteoarthritis, as well as 80 other diseases.

Previous research using this type of therapy for lupus and other diseases reported minimal side effects. Like every potential new therapy, this treatment must be tested. We remain hopeful this procedure will prove successful and be included in the arsenal of treatments for lupus.

Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy for Lupus

• Minimal side effects
• Diminish the long-term effects of lupus
• Help lower medication dosage
• Stop damage to vital organs

Doctors

Many facilities worldwide offer stem cell therapy, but it's important to locate accredited and experienced physicians who deal with stem cell treatments. Doctors specializing in Lupus disease should be trained, certified and accredited through country of origin or international accreditation and certification boards and should also belong to organizations or associations of their specialty.

Check references and resources to determine whether physicians or specialists are trained, experienced and accredited with stem cell therapy treatments with his or her country of origin and that facilities provide state-of the art technology and equipment and have a well maintained, trained and educated staff.

Cost

The cost of the Stem Cell Therapy for Lupus depends on the type of treatment your doctor decides you need. Individuals traveling to foreign destinations such as Mexico, Latin America, and Asia may enjoy between 30% and 50% savings on costs compared to the US and Canada on the same type of procedure, which include all inclusive hospital /hotel stay, care, and medical support.

For more information about the Stem Cell Therapy for Lupus and information about the best clinics offering the procedure, please contact us!