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COPD

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CAN STEM CELL STUDIES HELP TREAT CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD)?

Today, new COPD treatments and advances in research are giving new hope to people affected by this disease. The COPD treatments for Stem Cell Clinical Studies are being studied for their efficacy in improving the complications in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, through the use of stem cells. These procedures may help patients who don’t respond to typical drug treatment.

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To learn more about becoming a patient and receiving stem cell therapy through Generatx, please contact one of our patient advocates at (865) 657-8367 or fill out the contact form on this page.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR COPD STEM CELL THERAPY

WHAT IS COPD?

Chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) describes a group of lung conditions (diseases) that make it difficult to empty the air out of the lungs. This difficulty can lead to shortness of breath (also called breathlessness) or the feeling of being tired. COPD is a word that can be used to describe a person with chronic bronchitis, emphysema or a combination of these. COPD is a different condition from asthma, but it can be difficult to distinguish between COPD and chronic asthma.

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WHAT CAUSES COPD?

The most common cause of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is cigarette smoking, but there are many other causes. Inhaling smoke or air pollutants can cause the mucus glands that line the bronchial tubes (bronchi) to produce more mucus than normal, and can cause the walls of the bronchi to thicken and swell (inflame). This increase in mucus causes you to cough, frequently resulting in raising mucus (or phlegm). COPD can develop if small amounts of these irritants are inhaled over a long period of time or if large amounts are inhaled over a short period of time.

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Environmental factors and genetics may also cause COPD. For example, heavy exposure to certain dusts at work, chemicals and indoor or outdoor air pollution can contribute to COPD. The reason why some smokers never develop COPD and why some non-smokers get COPD is not fully understood. Family genes or heredity probably play a major role in who develops COPD.

Figure A shows the location of the lungs and airways in the body. The inset image shows a detailed cross-section of the bronchioles and alveoli. Figure B shows lungs damaged by COPD. The inset image shows a detailed cross-section of the damaged bronchioles and alveolar walls.

WHAT ARE THE STAGES COPD?

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There are 4 stages of COPD.

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Stage I (Mild)

May not be aware of symptoms. Underlying problems may go undetected

Chronic Cough

Excess mucus production

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Stage II (Moderate)

Increased difficulty breathing

Chronic cough and mucous production

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Stage III (Severe)

Exacerbation (the medical term for sudden, sever symptoms) become more common

Fatigue(feeling tired or exhausted) or less able to exercise

Increased difficulty breathing

Chronic cough and mucus production with wheezing and chest tightness

​

Stage IV (Very Severe)

Sever breathlessness

Exacerbations may become life-threatening

Weight Loss

platelet-rich-plasma-treatment-drawing-b

CAN STEM CELL STUDIES HELP TREAT CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD)?

Today, new COPD treatments and advances in research are giving new hope to people affected by this disease. The COPD treatments for Stem Cell Clinical Studies are being studied for their efficacy in improving the complications in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, through the use of stem cells. These procedures may help patients who don’t respond to typical drug treatment.

​

To learn more about becoming a patient and receiving stem cell therapy through Generatx, please contact one of our patient advocates at (865) 657-8367 or fill out the contact form on this page.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR COPD STEM CELL THERAPY

WHAT IS COPD?

Chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) describes a group of lung conditions (diseases) that make it difficult to empty the air out of the lungs. This difficulty can lead to shortness of breath (also called breathlessness) or the feeling of being tired. COPD is a word that can be used to describe a person with chronic bronchitis, emphysema or a combination of these. COPD is a different condition from asthma, but it can be difficult to distinguish between COPD and chronic asthma.

9850434.jpg

WHAT CAUSES COPD?

The most common cause of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is cigarette smoking, but there are many other causes. Inhaling smoke or air pollutants can cause the mucus glands that line the bronchial tubes (bronchi) to produce more mucus than normal, and can cause the walls of the bronchi to thicken and swell (inflame). This increase in mucus causes you to cough, frequently resulting in raising mucus (or phlegm). COPD can develop if small amounts of these irritants are inhaled over a long period of time or if large amounts are inhaled over a short period of time.

​

Environmental factors and genetics may also cause COPD. For example, heavy exposure to certain dusts at work, chemicals and indoor or outdoor air pollution can contribute to COPD. The reason why some smokers never develop COPD and why some non-smokers get COPD is not fully understood. Family genes or heredity probably play a major role in who develops COPD.

Figure A shows the location of the lungs and airways in the body. The inset image shows a detailed cross-section of the bronchioles and alveoli. Figure B shows lungs damaged by COPD. The inset image shows a detailed cross-section of the damaged bronchioles and alveolar walls.

WHAT ARE THE STAGES COPD?

833582_orig.jpg

There are 4 stages of COPD.

​

Stage I (Mild)

May not be aware of symptoms. Underlying problems may go undetected

Chronic Cough

Excess mucus production

​

Stage II (Moderate)

Increased difficulty breathing

Chronic cough and mucous production

​

Stage III (Severe)

Exacerbation (the medical term for sudden, sever symptoms) become more common

Fatigue(feeling tired or exhausted) or less able to exercise

Increased difficulty breathing

Chronic cough and mucus production with wheezing and chest tightness

​

Stage IV (Very Severe)

Sever breathlessness

Exacerbations may become life-threatening

Weight Loss

What are common symptoms of people suffering from COPD?

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The diagnosis of COPD depends upon the presence of one or more of the symptoms of the disease.

Persistent Cough

Increased mucus or phlegm production

Wheezing

Chest tightness

Fatigue

Headache

Twitching

Swelling

Dyspnea; shortness of breath, difficult or labored breathing

Tachypnea; rapid breathing rate

Need for Oxygen

Inability to preform house hold tasks

Inability to climb stairs

Inability to walk

Trouble caring for yourself

Anxiety or Panic

WHAT ARE STEM CELLS?

Stem Cells are special cells capable of renewing themselves through cell division, even after long periods of inactivity. Stem cells are formed at conception and have the ability to become different kinds of tissues in the body including muscle, nerve, organs, bone, blood and more. Their exceptional ability to become other types of cells makes them essential in repairing and renewing every kind of tissue and body organ. Unlike other types of cells in the body, Stem Cells can divide and replicate repeatedly. Stem cells are at the center of a new field of science called regenerative medicine. Because stem cells can become neurons, bone, muscle, cartilage and other specialized types of cells, they have the potential to treat many diseases, including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Diabetes and more.

 

Since we have hundreds of patients with successful results we have been able to identify patterns of where stem cells make NEW cells. This is one of our advantages in helping you !

 

We use the most optimal stem cells for each patient. Usually we strive for pluri-potential cells because these stem cells can differentiate into whatever your body needs. We strive to create the most powerful stem solution. Most powerful means we determine not only the number of stem cells but also the percent that are alive and the percent purity for each type of stem cell.

 

Our office currently offers 5 types of stem cells – more than any other office so that we are not limited in creating the best solution for you. Some stem cells are best for muscles, others are better for brain cells still others are better for internal organs. Therefore we have the ability to determine and use the best stem cell solution for you !

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Your own Adult Stem Cells or Tissue-specific Stem Cells harvest from:

1. Blood,

2. Adipose or fat

3. Bone marrow

4. Induced Pluri-potent Stem Cells from your own cells
– via an affiliated laboratory

5. Amniotic stem cells from purified Placental tissue

Doctor's Desk

WHAT IS STEM CELL THERAPY?

Stem cell therapy is an intervention strategy that introduces new adult stem cells into damaged tissue in order to treat disease or injury. Many medical researchers believe that stem cell treatments have the potential to change the face of human disease and alleviate suffering. The ability of stem cells to self-renew and give rise to subsequent generations with variable degrees of differentiation capacities, offers significant potential for generation of tissues that can potentially replace diseases and damaged areas in the body, with minimal risk of rejection and side effects.

WHAT COULD STEM CELLS HELP IN COPD?

Generatx is currently studying amniotic stem cell therapy as a new alternative treatment to help manage the complications of COPD. The stem cells harvested from purified Placental tissue. These stem cells may heal the body by replacing ones plagued with disease, regenerating new cells, and suppressing the immune systems macrophage response which engulf and digest the dying cells of the lungs. This breakthrough in regenerative medicine shines a light of hope on those battling this degenerative disease. Improvements have been seen in the following symptoms after treatment:

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Reduction of dyspnea (difficult or labored breathing)

Increased energy

Increase in the ability to walk alone

Increase in the ability to perform daily tasks

Reduction of reliance on supplemental oxygen

Improvements in sleep patterns

Enhanced mood

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How are stem cells administered for COPD?

Generatx is studying potential ways to directly target the conditions and complications themselves. These studies consist of multiple ways to deliver the highest amount of activated stem cells to the areas patients need them most. When stem cells are studied through Generatx, as potential therapy for COPD, there are multiple ways they can be administered:

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Intravenous – injected into the vein

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Stem Cell Nebulization – A process in which the stem cells are broken down into a nebulized state so that they can be inhaled by the patient to directly target the lungs.

How effective might stem cells be?

One of the goals of Generatx, through our stem cell studies, is to understand what a particular stem cell therapy might be able to achieve. For example, does it have the potential for slowing the disease’s progression, replacing damaged cells and memories, or both? With this goal in mind, Generatx continues to study these diseases and the full effect of stem cell therapy on each disease. Anecdotally, these results have been overwhelmingly positive but there is more that needs to be done to determine the exact effectiveness of these therapies.

Patient and Nurse

If I received a stem cell transplant,

how long would it take to work?

After stem cells have been administered into someone’s body they have to make their way to the correct place (e.g. area of damage) and then have their desired effect. This process takes time and although it is difficult to predict exactly how long, it is likely that it will take several weeks or months on average to see the full desired effect.

Could a stem cell therapy be repeated?

Yes, a stem cell therapy may be repeated. Current studies indicate the strong possibility of a cumulative effect from multiple stem cell therapies a patient received for their condition. Long-term studies will attempt to better understand this in detail.

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