Regenerative Medicine for COPD is a new and exciting development in medical treatments. It repairs or replaces cells, tissues, and organs with healthy ones to restore normal function. The treatment is an alternative to other more conventional treatments that require less invasive approaches and have a higher success rate than traditional surgery and medications. Regenerative Medicine for COPD is still in research but will one day be a viable option for many people with the disease.
- What is COPD?
COPD, also known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is a progressive condition that affects breathing. It can be caused by smoking or exposure to dangerous gases and fumes. Over time, COPD causes chronic inflammation of the lungs resulting in increased airway resistance and reduced lung function. The 3-step rule states that if you have had symptoms such as shortness of breath or coughing for at least six months, you are considered to have COPD. Therefore, COPD is usually only diagnosed after the second step of the 3 step rule.
- Why Choose Regenerative Medicine?
While COPD is still being researched, many alternative treatments have been observed to be effective. One of the leading treatments for COPD is Regenerative Medicine. Regenerative Medicine from a platform like QC Kinetix (Brandon) for COPD has a higher success rate than many other alternatives because it uses a patient’s cells to repair their tissues and organs through stem cells. Stem cells are a type of new cell that can develop into many specialized cells; examples include nerve, muscle, heart, and blood cells.
- Stem Cell Treatments for COPD:
Stem cells from the damaged lung tissue are being discovered as a possible way of repairing damaged tissue and restoring the body’s ability to breathe. These cells can be harvested through chest biopsy or minor incision in a process that doesn’t harm the patient. The stem cells are placed into a culture with nutrients and growth factors to multiply into healthy lung cells. Over time, these cells will replace or repair damaged lung tissue. Most of these stem cell treatments rely on stem cell therapy, which has been around for many years (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services). The first attempt at this procedure was done long ago using rabbits as subjects but was unsuccessful due to poor organ regeneration
- Exosome Therapy for COPD:
Exosomes are liquid particles released from cells. They can contain helpful genetic information that we can use to replace damaged lung cells. Studies have been done using exosomes from lung cells and found them to be successful in repairing lung tissues in mice with COPD. The next step would be to study humans, but there needs to be more evidence for this treatment to become mainstream.
Moderate exercises like walking or light jogging have been proven to slow the progression of COPD and improve quality of life (Turk Resp Med). It is essential to do regular exercise as it improves pulmonary function, thus increasing the distance you can walk comfortably before feeling short of breath.
COPD is a progressive disease that can affect the ability of an individual to breathe. Over time, it can lead to loss of lung function and even death. While traditional Medicine has provided some effective treatments, they have had a low success rate and may not be an option for all individuals with COPD.
