Stem cell therapy is a treatment shrouded with various controversies in recent years. A lot of naysayers question its safety and effectiveness. However, many medical professionals have realized how helpful it can be in treating various health-related conditions. Many clinics are now offering stem cell treatments.
What Are Stem Cells?
Stem cells are raw materials in the body that generate other cells. If in the proper condition. Stem cells can regenerate and divide to form more cells, which scientists call daughter cells. The daughter cells can either be new stem cells or specialized cells that have specific functions.
The interest in stem cells continues to rise. The reason behind this is that many researchers and medical professionals see the potential of stem cells. They also showed promising results in addressing various conditions.
Now, many parents are wondering how stem cells can help their children who have conditions. One of the most common questions is, can stem cell therapy work for autism? The World Health Organization (WHO) said that autism affects one in 160 children. Thus, it is only natural why more people get interested in stem cell therapy for autism.
Many researchers conduct studies on stem cells for different reasons.
- They can help us have a better understanding of how diseases develop.
- They can generate healthy cells and replace cells that do not work properly.
- Researchers can use stem cells to test new drugs for effectiveness, quality, and safety.
How Does The Stem Cell Therapy Work?
Stem Cell Therapy is also called regenerative medicine. It is because stem cells can promote the repair of dysfunctional, diseased, or injured tissues. Stem cells can grow in laboratories. They can also be frozen. One can also store them in banks. The experts manipulate these stem cells so they can become specific types of specialized cells. They then implant these cells into a patient.
Many doctors have used stem cells and conducted transplants. These procedures aim to replace damaged cells caused by chemotherapy or diseases. There are two procedures that they commonly use. These are transplantation of bone marrow stem cells and transplantation of cord blood stem cells.
Can Stem Cell Therapy Work for Autism?
As stated earlier, this question is one of the main concerns of many parents. Currently, some medical facilities and clinics offer stem cell therapy for autism. If you are wondering if this treatment can help your child with autism, you can check out various studies that have proven its effectiveness.
For example, Duke University, which is in North Carolina in the United States, conducted a study in 2017. A total of 25 children with autism participated. The goal of the study is to help treat the children using their umbilical cord blood, which contained rare stem cells. After the conduct of transfusions, two-thirds of all participants have shown improvements. One patient who participated also reported dramatic improvement. According to her parents, the disorder used to take up 75% of her day. But, after the treatment, it went down to 10%. This medical advancement has given hope to many parents and patients.
People who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD), commonly known as autism, have trouble with their social skills, speech, and non-verbal communication. They also tend to engage in repetitive behaviors.
Many parents of children with autism who have tried stem cell therapy also reported various positive results.
- Control of anger
- Reduction of stimming
- Reduction of behaviors that cause self-injuries
- Awareness and control of bladder and bowel movements
- Alleviation of obsessive-compulsive behaviors
- Normal appetite
- Became less picky eaters
- Increase in sociability
- New self-awareness.
There is no single cure available for ASD. However, there are various alternative treatments that parents can consider to help with the symptoms of autism. Stem cell therapy may be one of those alternative methods. Many parents have recorded positive changes in their children after taking a chance and trying stem cell therapy. You can experience the same thing.
Before trying the treatment, you should also prepare yourself and make sure that your child is eligible. Consult a neuropsychologist and psychiatrist first. You should also consult other medical professionals, such as a geneticist, pediatrician, and neurologist. The best way to go about treatment is to understand every aspect of the procedure. Ask the clinic you have chosen about all requirements and possible effects if there are any.
