What is Peripheral and Diabetic Neuropathy?

Severe damage of the peripheral nerves that leads to weakness and pain in the affected region is called peripheral neuropathy.

Out of the millions of patients with diabetes in the US, 60-70% of the population regardless of type 1 or 2 diabetes are susceptible to suffering from diabetic neuropathy. However, type-2 diabetes patients are at more risk of suffering from peripheral neuropathy.

In this condition, the blood sugar level consistently rises and damages the nerves throughout the body.

Both types of neuropathy affect the nerves surrounding the brain and spinal cord limiting its functionalities and causing degeneration over time.

Also, 50% of the diabetic patients are at the risk of developing foot ulcers. Diabetic neuropathy patients with extreme foot ulcers need to undergo amputation. Nevertheless, stem cell therapy can significantly reduce the condition of foot ulcers and eliminate the chances of surgery.

Primarily, controlling the glycemic levels is a priority for patients with peripheral neuropathy.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis method includes several clinical and quantitative tests. Let us briefly navigate the diagnosis conditions for confirming diabetic or peripheral neuropathy –

• Deficiency of Vitamin B12 in the complete blood count
• Testing for Haemoglobin A1c
• Exposure to heavy metals
• Electrolyte imbalance in the basic or complete metabolic panel
• Withdrawal to long-term diseases like Lyme disease or HIV
• Testing for thyroid function
• Electromyography
• Biopsy of the nerves
• Testing for genetics
• Age
• Radio imaging tests such as CT or MRI scans

[Read Also:Promising Role of Stem Cells For Treating Peripheral Neuropathy ]

Symptoms and Causes of Peripheral and Diabetic Neuropathy

Every peripheral nerve has a unique function. The conditional symptoms depend on which type of nerve is affected. Motor, sensory, and autonomic nerves are affected. Furthermore, neuropathy can affect one or more nerves.

Symptoms

• Segmental demyelination – Degeneration of the myelin sheath (protective nerve layers) leading to inflammation.
• Wallerian degeneration – Passive but sure wearing down of the nerve axon.
• Axonal degeneration – This type of degeneration causes trophic changes to the muscles.
• Numbness or no sensation – Difficulty in sensing physical organs.
• Sharp and burning sensation – Inflammation leading to constant pain.
• Weakness of the muscles – Weakened muscles due to weakened nerves.
• Imbalance of motor abilities – Inability to walk.
• Intolerance to heat – Excessive sweating regardless of the weather conditions.
• Hypotension – Reduced blood pressure levels.
• Gastrointestinal problems – Problems with bowel and digestion.
• Vision impairment – Inability or reduced ability to see clearly.
• Uncontrolled reflexes – Sudden actions and responses.
• Erectile dysfunction – Infertility or inability to sustain an erection required for reproductive activities.

Leading health causes of neuropathy include –

Causes

• Autoimmune disorder – Diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis aggravate the chances of neuropathy.
• Diabetes – The most common cause of neuropathy due to the unhinged rise of sugar in the blood levels.
• Genetical disorders – If a person from the family has a history of neuropathy, the chances of their successors developing the same condition are higher.
• Infections – Viral infections due to Lyme disease or HIV accelerate the development of neuropathy.
• Abuse of Drugs – Excessive consumption of alcohol and smoking can increase the risk of neuropathy.
• Deficiency of Vitamins – The lack of B12 vitamin increases the chances of peripheral neuropathy.
• Physical factors – People with high body mass/obesity have higher risks of developing neuropathy of the nerves.

Importance of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Neuropathy Treatment

Stem cells are an excellent treatment option for restoring the axonal myelin sheath (protective layers of the nerves, accelerating blood vessel formation, and managing the immune system.

Patients with peripheral neuropathy were treated with mesenchymal stem cells during the subacute period to determine the functions of the nerve-muscle tissues.

This treatment measures the allodynia with a cold plate for a specified timeline.

Once this phase is over, electrophysiological and histopathological tests are performed to check the abilities of the isolated nerve-muscle tissues.

MSCs have cytokines and RNA that promote nerve regeneration and reduce inflammation.

Most importantly, more than 80% of patients treated with stem cell therapy highlight an improvement in their neuropathic conditions.

Benefits of Treating Neuropathy with Stem Cells

Stem cell therapy for neuropathy has the potential to repair damaged nerve cells, differentiate between cell types, and regenerate new cells. This naturally activates the body’s ability to self-heal with neuro-regenerative and protective factors.

Stem cell therapy for peripheral and diabetic neuropathy benefits entail –

• Recovery of nerve functions
• Repair of damaged nerves
• Permanent elimination of nerve damage causes
• Long-lasting results and quick recovery time
• Free from cell rejection
• No chances of allergies due to fresh and toxin-free stem cells sourced from the best-quality human umbilical cord
• Safest treatment with zero side effects
• Painless administration method (Non-surgical)

What is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy, or simply neuropathy, is dysfunctional or damaged nerves in the peripheral nervous system comprising the brain and the spinal cord. The nerve damage causes pain, swelling, numbness, and weakness in the muscles and different body parts. The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy depend on the affected nerves and can include:

• Abnormal tingling sensation in hands and feet
•  Limited muscle movements and function
•  Difficulty walking and balancing
•  Loss of muscle and bone
• Changes in the texture of skin, hair, and nails
•  Paralysis
• Foot ulcers

The symptoms of neuropathy usually begin in the hands or the feet and then gradually start affecting other body parts. If left untreated, it can get worse with intense pain followed by complete numbness or loss of sensation.

Causes and Types of Neuropathy

There are more than hundreds of types of neuropathy conditions, each depending on its cause and having its own set of symptoms. The most common cause of this severe condition is diabetes, and hence, it is also termed diabetic neuropathy. Its symptoms may range from mild to severe based on the areas in the body whose nerves are damaged. Diabetic neuropathy may cause nerve damage throughout the body due to consistently high glucose levels (sugar) in the bloodstream.

However, in several cases, chemotherapy, genetic factors, inflammation or infections, poor nutrition, and kidney failures have been the triggers for peripheral neuropathy leading to health deterioration. As per the latest reports of The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, almost 60-70% of the Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes patients suffer from diabetic neuropathy.

Other risk factors that contribute to neuropathy are excessive alcohol intake, bone marrow disorders, autoimmune diseases, liver problems, hypothyroidism, and vitamin deficiency.

The five types of neuropathy based on the types of nerve damage are –

• Peripheral neuropathy – Nerve damage in the brain and spinal cord
• Cranial neuropathy – Nerves in the brainstem are affected, resulting in damage to the optic nerve or nerve in the ear or face.
• Autonomic neuropathy – Nerve damage in the internal organs, such as the digestive, reproductive, or urinary systems.
• Focal neuropathy – Damage to a single nerve, such as hand, leg, head, or torso.
• Proximal neuropathy – It is a rare type of nerve damage that affects the lower portion of the body, such as the hips, thighs, and legs.

Why Choose Stem Cell Therapy for Peripheral and Diabetic Neuropathy?

Stem cell therapy is now at the forefront of advanced regenerative medicine treatment for neuropathy characterized by peripheral nerve damage. Mesenchymal stem cells collected from umbilical cord tissue (Wharton’s Jelly) are injected into the bloodstream via intravenous infusion to release neuroprotective agents to recover from the nerve damage. Stem cells have the exceptional power to regenerate nerve cells, potentially rebuilding the damaged nerves and restoring their functions.

Stem cell therapy for peripheral and diabetic neuropathy offers a glimmer of hope to patients, not just with symptom relief but promoting nerve repair and regeneration. It addresses the underlying cause of neuropathy and significantly alleviates the symptoms of motor neuropathy, such as a reduction in pain, weakness, and numbness.

Nerve regeneration using umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells involves several stages. These pluripotent cells can differentiate into any cell type and release growth factors necessary for nerve regeneration and repair.

• Cellular response – Following nerve injury and initial degeneration, when the stem cells are administered, they activate the surrounding immune cells and supporting (Schwann) cells to release cytokines and growth factors to accelerate the healing response and promote nerve regeneration.
• Regrow Axons – Stem cells promote the growth of new axons at the end of damaged nerves, which play a crucial role in transmitting signals and regulating motor function.
• Remyelination – MSCs also support the regeneration of nerve cells in the protective covering or myelin sheath. This process is called remyelination and is necessary for restoring the nerves’ function in sending signals efficiently.
• Functional Recovery – As nerve regeneration and efficient signal transmission between nerve cells are established again, the functions of nerves in the affected areas improve, and patients experience a significant reduction in symptoms.

Role of Stem Cells In Repairing Nerve Damage

Stem cells repair damaged nerves caused by diabetic and peripheral neuropathy and aid in nerve regeneration. They stimulate the growth of new blood vessels through angiogenesis and enhance the restoration of the axons in the protective myelin sheath. These specialized cells possess anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, which reduce inflammation and regulate the immune system.

The therapeutic effects and diverse mechanisms of stem cells result in a smooth healing process of nerve injuries in the peripheral nervous system. Although stem cell therapy has the fantastic potential to regenerate damaged nerves and restore their function, success largely depends on the location of the nerve damage, the extent of the damage, the type of nerve injury, and the patient’s overall health.

Medical Studies On Effectiveness of Stem Cells In Treating Neuropathy

Recent studies on stem cell therapy for addressing diabetic and peripheral neuropathy show promising results in encouraging neuronal survival, reducing inflammation, and promoting axonal growth. MSCs are a powerhouse of cytokines, growth factors, and RNA, which support a healthy cellular environment and encourage nerve repair and regeneration by activating the healing response of the surrounding cells. Several studies and medical research indicate that stem cell-based treatments are effective in treating diabetic neuropathy and demyelinating polyneuropathy by eliminating their chronic inflammatory effects.

Reports on a small study of 10 female patients with diabetic neuropathy reveal that 50% of them experienced a significant reduction in pain and relief from other symptoms after six months. Moreover, their dependence on anti-neuropathic medicines was reduced, and there was a noticeable improvement in nerve function.

Success Rates of Stem Cell Treatment for Neuropathy

Multiple studies and clinical trials on stem cell therapy for neuropathy suggest that almost 80% of patients benefit from it, which has long-lasting results. The success rates of stem cell-based treatment depend on various factors, such as the type of neuropathy, the types of stem cells used, the number of stem cell doses, the severity of the condition, the patient’s age, and overall health.

Although several studies indicate positive clinical outcomes, more research is needed to determine a specific neuropathy type’s proper stem cell treatment approach to ensure its long-term efficacy and success rates.

Best Country for Stem Cell Therapy

Several countries worldwide offer high-quality stem cell treatments, such as Thailand, Germany, Singapore, South Korea, and Mexico. The cost of treatment in every country differs significantly because of the location, infrastructure, travel expenses, treatment facilities, and many other aspects.

Among all the countries mentioned above, Mexico is a leading destination for world-class stem cell therapy at affordable rates. The advanced healthcare infrastructure, cutting-edge technologies, and presence of qualified healthcare professionals make Mexico an ideal country for medical tourism.

While considering stem cell therapy in Mexico, Life Altering Stem Cell Therapy Institute is a top-rated clinic specializing in personalized cell therapies for more than twenty health conditions, from autoimmune conditions to age-related disorders, Alzheimer’s disease to Parkinson’s disease, and cardiovascular issues. Consult our healthcare professional for the best treatment advice based on your condition and medical history.