Stem cell procedures have been at the center of heated scientific arguments for a long while, but now is the best time to invest in the procedure if needed. There are many different stem cell procedures offered, but here you will find questions you need to ask before choosing the best for you.
Stem cells can regenerate lost skin, they can help with blood illnesses, they can even replace diseased and dead cells. Stem cells have countless benefits that can help so many people which is why you should consider a treatment using them.
Below are 7 questions you should be asking your doctor before choosing the best stem cell procedure for you.
1. Where Do Stem Cells Come From?
There are three main types of stem cells: Umbilical Cord cells, Embryonic cells, Adult cells.
Umbilical cord stem cells come from what the name says: the umbilical cord. These cells are taken when a child is born from the still-attached umbilical cord and preserved.
Embryonic stem cells come from an embryo. These are seen as the best stem cells as they can regenerate in many different forms.
Adult stem cells come from either bone marrow or fatty tissue. Okay, so what are adults stem cells? Contrary to what you may think, these cells don’t have to come from an adult – they can come from a child. Adult stem cells are classified as cells that are taken later in life, rather than before birth, or directly after birth.
2. How Do Stem Cells Work?
Knowing how stem cells work is very important before choosing a procedure that uses them. Here is some information on different stem cell treatments and what they help.
Stem cells are usually used in regenerative therapies which may be able to help diseases such as Parkinson’s, cancer, and even people who have had strokes.
Another way that stem cells work is in what is called stem cell transplant therapy. This is when doctors use stem cells taken from the umbilical cord, or bone marrow, to help treat blood diseases (such as different types of cancers), injuries to the spinal cord, and even diabetes.
3. What Is Your Experience Level Working With Stem Cells?
This is one of the most important questions to ask. Make sure to always talk to your doctor about their experience and their qualifications.
Recently, it has come out that some doctors are working in stem cell treatment without the proper knowledge and specialized training. You want to make sure that the physician is sticking to the FDA guidelines that have been put in place to keep you safe.
When looking into doctors for stem cell procedures, it’s good to look for doctors who have proven to have done the specific procedure you need over two hundred times; this usually means that they are an expert, and know what they are doing.
Make sure not to go off of previous patient reviews as these may not be true.
4. Is There Scientific Evidence?
You may not be someone who fully understands the science behind medicine, but this is an especially important question. Since stem cell procedures are still relatively new, before electing to go this route for your illness make sure there is scientific evidence on this specific procedure that you will be getting.
You want to make sure this evidence is published in a scientific journal or magazine, you also want to make sure that there is not only one study of it. One study is never enough to go off of, you need to be able to see that there have been multiple studies done that show the same results.
5. How Will You Be Performing My Stem Cell Procedure?
Before any treatment you get, you should be asking the doctor how they will be performing the procedure.
Asking this question is important because you want to know everything you can about what the doctor will be doing with the stem cells, where they will be placed, and why they are going there. You need to know every aspect of the procedure, this means knowing where they are taking the stem cells from, how they will apply them to the affected areas, what tools they will be using during the procedure.
Along with this, you will want to know the dosage they are using, and if this will be only one procedure or if you will be coming back for repeat sessions.
6. How Will This Effect My Long-Term Health?
Going to a doctor for a stem cell procedure means you are probably going because of a disease that is long-term, however this may not be the only illness you are dealing with. It is always important to know how a procedure will impact our health in the future and for the long-term.
When dealing with a long-term health issue, this means that you are most likely on a medication of sorts which is something you need to bring up with the doctor. The doctor will be able to tell you if the medication you are on will cause the stem cells to die, causing them to be ineffective in any treatment.
7. Is This the Right Treatment for Me?
Finally, this is the most important question for you to be asking.
Of course, do your research before making an appointment at a stem cell clinic, but always ask if the treatment that you have been looking at is right for you. The doctor may have a different type of treatment that is better suited for you that you didn’t see in your research.
Remember, Google is not a doctor – so as much research as you do, the doctor does know more about this field, especially if they have been working in it for a long time.
Asking the above 7 questions will help you make a more informed decision on what stem cell procedure could be best for you. If you liked this article, check out the rest of our blog for more interesting reads on other healthcare options!