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What is COPD?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease that can cause breathing difficulties. COPD encompasses a group of conditions including chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and non-reversible asthma, and is often caused by long-term exposure to irritants like cigarette smoke, air pollution, and chemical fumes. As the airways become inflamed and narrowed over time, COPD can cause symptoms such as breathlessness, coughing, and excess mucus production.

A COPD patient on oxygen supply inside a stem cell clinic

In the United States, COPD is a significant public health issue, with an estimated 16 million diagnosed cases and an additional 4-7 million undiagnosed cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). COPD is the third leading cause of death in the country, responsible for over 150,000 deaths annually.

By raising awareness of COPD and encouraging early diagnosis and management, it may be possible to slow the progression of the disease and improve quality of life for those affected.

COPD Symptoms

The symptoms of COPD can vary, but the most common ones include:

Several images depicting COPD symptoms and text indicating which symptom is mentioned

As the disease progresses, the symptoms of COPD can worsen, and people with severe cases may have difficulty performing daily activities or even experience difficulty breathing at rest. Some people with COPD may also experience depression and anxiety due to the impact of the disease on their daily lives.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to see a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Early detection and management of COPD can help slow the progression of the disease and improve quality of life.

COPD causes

COPD is a chronic lung disease that affects millions of people worldwide. There are several causes of COPD, including genetic factors and external risk factors.

Icons depicting COPD risk factors and text indicating to which cause it refers

Genetic factors can play a role in the development of COPD, as some people may be more susceptible to lung damage than others. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a genetic condition that can lead to the development of COPD in some people. This condition affects the production of a protein that protects the lungs from damage, making the lungs more vulnerable to irritants such as cigarette smoke.

External risk factors that can cause COPD include long-term exposure to irritants such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, and chemical fumes. Cigarette smoking is the most significant risk factor for developing COPD, as it is responsible for up to 90% of cases. Other external risk factors include exposure to secondhand smoke, occupational dust and chemicals, and indoor and outdoor air pollution.

In addition, some factors such as age, gender, and respiratory infections can also increase the risk of developing COPD. If you are concerned about your risk of developing COPD, it is important to speak with a healthcare provider about ways to reduce your risk and protect your lung health.

COPD treatment

The treatment of COPD involves a combination of different approaches to manage the symptoms and prevent further lung damage. The main goals of treatment are to reduce symptoms, improve lung function, prevent exacerbations, and enhance quality of life. Common treatments include lifestyle changes, medication, oxygen therapy, and pulmonary rehabilitation.

One emerging treatment option for COPD is stem cell therapy. This approach involves the injection of stem cells, which can differentiate into various cell types, including lung cells, into the lungs. The stem cells are expected to help repair the damaged lung tissue, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.

Stem cell therapy for COPD

Stem cell therapy is a promising treatment for COPD that has gained increasing attention in recent years. It involves the use of stem cells to repair and regenerate damaged lung tissue, which can help to improve lung function and alleviate COPD symptoms. Stem cells have the potential to differentiate into various types of lung cells, including alveolar epithelial cells and bronchial epithelial cells, which play a critical role in maintaining lung function. The use of stem cells for COPD has shown promising results in both animal studies and early-stage clinical trials, suggesting that it could be a safe and effective treatment option for COPD patients.

One of the main advantages of stem cell therapy for COPD is that it is a minimally invasive procedure, which can be performed on an outpatient basis. The stem cells are typically obtained from the patient's own bone marrow or adipose tissue, which minimizes the risk of rejection or disease transmission. Moreover, stem cell therapy has the potential to provide long-lasting benefits, as the repaired lung tissue may continue to regenerate and improve over time. However, more research is needed to determine the optimal dose and timing of stem cell therapy for COPD, as well as its long-term safety and effectiveness.

Giostar Mexico COPD treatment

According to the results on Giostar patients have shown that stem cell therapy can help to repair damaged lung tissue and improve lung function. Stem cells can differentiate into various cell types, including those that make up the lung tissue, and can help to regenerate the damaged cells.

A Giostar Mexico patient receiving COPD Treatment

Patients who received stem cell therapy reported a significant improvement in their symptoms, including improved breathing, reduced coughing, and reduced need for oxygen therapy. The therapy has the potential to improve the quality of life of patients with COPD and reduce the need for hospitalization. While more research is needed, these results suggest that stem cell therapy can be a promising treatment option for patients with COPD.

Stem cell therapy cost for COPD

Stem cell therapy cost for COPD, in Giostar Mexico, starts at $8,500.00 USD for one application (half-treatment). Pricing highly depends on the personalized protocol that the Medical Director determines based on each patient's condition. What may this include?

What does an average stem cell treatment in Mexico include?

  • (Transportation from hotel-clinic, clinic-hotel and airport-hotel as well as hotel-airport (mainly for our Clinics in Playa del Carmen and Guadalajara; our Clinic in Los Algodones, due to its proximity to the US-Mexico border crossing, we pick up patients on the border and take them to our clinic or their hotel)
  • Lodging (included in our Clinic in Algodones; lodging in Guadalajara and Playa del Carmen are paid by the patient)
  • Oxygen Therapy
  • Body preparation – Nutritional IV Therapy
  • 1 - 10 billion exosomes (volume depends on Doctor's personal evaluation of each patient)
  • 1 - 4 stem cell vials (35 - 140 million stem cells)
  • Laboratory protocol by Dr. Anand Srivastava (activation of the stem cells in order to direct them towards the affected tissue or organ)
  • Medical Consultation
  • Dietitian Follow up post-therapy
  • Preferential prices for future reinforcements/applications
  • Laboratory exams the previous day before first application

References

  • Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. (2021). Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management and Prevention of COPD. Retrieved from https://goldcopd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/GOLD-REPORT-2021-v1.1-25Nov20_WMV.pdf
  • World Health Organization. (2021). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-(copd)
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/copd/index.html
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2021). Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/copd
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2021). What are the signs and symptoms of COPD? Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/copd#Signs,-Symptoms,-and-Complications
  • Mayo Clinic. (2021). COPD. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/copd/symptoms-causes/syc-20353679
  • Weiss DJ, Casaburi R, Flannery R, LeRoux-Williams M. Tissue engineering for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Proc Am Thorac Soc. 2008 May 1;5(4):437-40. doi: 10.1513/pats.200711-168DR. PMID: 18453387.
  • Tzouvelekis A, Ntolios P, Bouros D. Stem cell treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: hype or hope?. Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2014 Mar;20(2):108-13. doi: 10.1097/MCP.0000000000000025. PMID: 24322347.
  • Tatullo M, Marrelli M, Shakesheff KM, White LJ. Dental pulp stem cells: function, isolation and applications in regenerative medicine. J Tissue Eng Regen Med. 2015 Mar;9(3):1205-16. doi: 10.1002/term.1957. PMID: 23494755.
  • Chambers, D. C., Enever, D., Lawrence, S., Steele, D. A., & Yerkovich, S. T. (2018). Concise review: mesenchymal stromal cells for lung disease: role of paracrine soluble factors. Stem cells, 36(3), 363-373.
  • Katsha, A. M., & Ohkouchi, S. (2018). Future prospects of regenerative medicine in the treatment of COPD. Medical gas research, 8(3), 87-91.
  • Weiss, D. J., & Casaburi, R. (2016). Stem cells, cell therapies, and bioengineering in lung biology and diseases. Comprehensive Physiology, 6(1), 73-93.
  • Stessuk, T., Ruiz, M. A., Greco, O. T., Bilaqui, A., Ribeiro-Paes, J. T., & de Faria, C. A. (2016). Phase I clinical trial of cell therapy in patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: follow-up of up to 3 years. Revista Brasileira de Hematologia e Hemoterapia, 38(4), 311-314.
  • Tatsumi, K., Ohashi, K., Matsubara, Y., Kohori, A., Ohno, T., Kakidachi, H., ... & Ohta, K. (2019). Systemic administration of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells ameliorates pulmonary emphysema in mice. Stem cells translational medicine, 8(3), 301-311.
  • Cao, Y., Zhang, W., Han, S., Zuo, W., & Wu, D. (2019). Stem cell therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a meta-analysis of preclinical studies. Stem cell research & therapy, 10(1), 1-14.
  • Li, J., Li, D., Liu, X., Tang, S., Wei, F., Jia, L., ... & Yang, J. (2020). Efficacy and safety of stem cells in the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Stem cells international, 2020.