Stem cells come from either adult cells or embryos. Adult stem cells exist throughout the body and in types of tissues such as liver, blood, bone marrow, brain, skin, blood vessels and skin. Embryonic stem cells are collected from a human embryo that is undergoing the blastocyst stage of growth.
Continued research on development of stem cells gives hope to the elderly because their quality of live can be improved dramatically. Rather than treating the disease, the focus of the research is to develop stem cells that can cure the disease by helping the patient grow new and undamaged tissue.
This regenerative treatment for the elderly is a big milestone and may shape your future health. The research involves studying how the cells differentiate and transform into the extensive stretch of distinct cells that make us today. Stem cells can be used for many applications since the cell types have the potential to grow into any type of cell.
Stem Cell Research Benefits
Seniors can benefit from successful stem cell research in many ways. Various chronic diseases and injuries can be treated if stem cells are the key to a cure.
- Blood cancer
Blood cancer and bone marrow diseases can be cured using stem cells. Such cancers include leukemia, myeloma and lymphoma.
- Parkinson’s diseases
The disease is caused by the loss of a nerve cell in the brain. Successful transplantation of stem cells may be great potential for treatment.
- Type 1 diabetes
Elderly persons with type 1 diabetes may benefit from the research in that stem cell treatment may be exercised to cure them. Stem cell studies on curing this disease is promising, however further studies have to be conducted before widespread use.
- Cardiovascular diseases
These diseases involve the blood vessels and heart. Stem cell therapy-based treatment for the diseases can bring relief to persons suffering from cardiovascular diseases for the diseases are the leading cause of death.
- Spinal cord injury
Since stem cells may replace the sick cells or those that have died due to injury, seniors who suffer from spinal cord injury may be healed and regain locomotive function as well.
- Arthritis
Many seniors who suffer from arthritis could have their condition improved by stem cells. Arthritis pain may subside and help patients recover from the crippling disease.
- Organ failure
Stem cells may be used to grow a replacement organ by restoring damaged fibers and rejuvenating impaired cells.