swiss medicaNeuropathy is a common condition affecting nerves. It is more common in patients with diabetes. It is estimated that nearly 60% of patients with diabetes develop diabetic neuropathy. Unfortunately, at present, there is no treatment to cure neuropathy. However, stem cells for neuropathy have shown immense potential in the management of this condition.
Neuropathy is known to affect the routine activities of patients by causing disturbing symptoms, usually in the hands and feet. The disease can also occur in non-diabetic patients due to the involvement of the immune system, the myelin sheath covering the nerves, or the blood vessels.
In this article, we will have a look at the effectiveness of stem cells for neuropathy, its indications, contraindications, and advantages.
What Is Neuropathy?
Neuropathy is a condition characterized by damage of the nerves, which affects the body functions. A person is diagnosed with neuropathy when the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord are damaged.
Neuropathy can occur due to a wide range of factors, among which diabetes and alcoholism are the most common.
At present, there is no cure for neuropathy. The symptoms of this condition continue to worsen over time as more nerves get damaged.
Hence, there is a need to discover potential alternative therapies and evaluate whether stem cells for neuropathy could regenerate damaged nerves.
Classification of Neuropathy
Neuropathy is a broad term that encompasses different types of nerve dysfunction. This condition is classified based on the type of nerve affected.
The most common categories of neuropathy include:
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Autonomic neuropathy
- Cranial neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy, as the name suggests, affects nerves in the hands and legs, including the wrists, elbows, fingers, shoulders, hips, toes, and knees.
Autonomic neuropathy is a form of neuropathy that develops as a result of the damage to the nerves of the autonomic nervous system. It affects involuntary functions, mainly digestion, heartbeats, breathing, and bowel and bladder movement.
Cranial neuropathy affects the nerves directly connected to the brain, such as the auditory and optic nerves. These nerves carry impulses between the brain and the ears and eyes, respectively. This can affect the hearing and vision of the patient.
These types of neuropathies can be further classified into mononeuropathy or polyneuropathy, depending on whether a single nerve or more than one nerve is affected, respectively.
Causes of Neuropathy
Some conditions commonly associated with a higher risk of neuropathy include:
- Diabetes
- Family history
- Side effects of medication, such as chemotherapy and HIV drugs
- Deficiencies of vitamins, such as vitamin B12
- Exposure to insecticides and solvents
- History of multiple myeloma or lymphoma
- Excessive intake of alcohol
- Chronic kidney disease
- Infections, such as, shingles, HIV and Lyme disease
- Chronic liver disease
- Gillian barre syndrome
- Autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, or systemic lupus arthritis.
Symptoms Of Neuropathy
Some common symptoms of neuropathy include:
- Muscle pain
- Weakness and loss of muscle movement
- Changes of skin, nails, and hair
- Muscle cramping
- Diminished reflexes
- Uncontrolled muscle twitching
- Loss of balance and muscle coordination
- Sensation of numbness and tingling
- Tenderness or increased sensitivity to touch
- Incontinence of urine or stool
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Abnormal fluctuations in blood pressure.
Diagnosis Of Neuropathy
The diagnosis of neuropathy can occur when the patient experiences some of the typical symptoms. These include tingling and numbness in the arms and legs, loss of coordination, and weakness of the muscles.
Your doctor will examine you and ask questions about your general health, symptoms, diet, and lifestyle habits, such as alcohol consumption, to identify the potential cause of neuropathy.
The diagnosis can be confirmed with the help of tests and examinations such as:
- Blood tests
- Electromyography
- Nerve conduction studies
- Skin biopsy
- Nerve biopsy
- Lumbar puncture.
These tests can help identify the possible cause of neuropathy and evaluate the extent of nerve damage. It might also help determine whether stem cell therapy for neuropathy would be effective in your case.
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Medical Advisor, Swiss Medica doctor
What Is Stem Cell Therapy and How It Can Help Neuropathy Patients
Using stem cells for neuropathy can be a viable treatment option for restoring nerve functions. Stem cells can be used to heal and increase the regenerative capacity of damaged nerves.
Stem cells are usually injected into the affected area, although the type of introduction of cells depends on a specific case.
The infusion of stem cells helps to reduce inflammation and repair damaged nerves, including their covering called a myelin sheath. As a result, patients notice improvements in symptoms of this condition. Regenerative effect can encourage nerve regeneration and symptom relief, making stem cell therapy for neuropathy in feet a promising new approach.
Indications and Contraindications
Stem cell therapy can be indicated for the management of neuropathy associated with diabetes, excessive alcohol intake, autoimmune conditions, and genetic origins.
However, using stem cells for neuropathy must be coupled with a healthy diet and lifestyle, such as replenishing deficient nutrients like vitamin B12, and limiting alcohol intake.
In addition, improvement in neuropathy after stem cell therapy is also expected when the nerve damage is the result of side effects of chemotherapy or HIV drugs or associated comorbidities like chronic hepatic or renal disease.
Patients who have developed the symptoms of neuropathy following infections, such as HIV, Guillain-Barre syndrome, Lyme disease, or shingles, can also consider stem cell therapy for neuropathy to support the regeneration of the affected nerves. The regenerative potential of mesenchymal stem cells can help form new cells that can replace the damaged cells in the nerves, thus restoring their normal functions.
Neuropathy Stem Cells Treatment Program in Swiss Medica Clinic
Therapy with the use of stem cells for neuropathy offers several advantages due to neuro-regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties of these cells. Stem cell therapy for neuropathy is believed to help the damaged nerves regenerate and heal when the stem cells are introduced into the affected area. This can improve nerve function and relieve the symptoms of neuropathy.
In addition, stem cells are also neuroprotective, which means they can protect the nerves against potential damage, thereby slowing down the progression of neuropathy.
We have achieved notable success in treating neuropathy combining stem cell therapy with Levofloxacin, an antibiotic from the fluoroquinolone class. Our approach to therapy has led to a reduction in pain symptoms and significant improvements in patients’ quality of life.
The Advantages of Swiss Medica Treatment System
Swiss Medica stands out with its state-of-the-art clinic, fully equipped with medical facilities and staffed by doctors and nurses 24/7, unlike many competitors who perform procedures in hotels or offices. This allows us to thoroughly examine patients before treatment and closely monitor them after to ensure the best outcomes and safety.
By combining our extensive stem cell selection—the widest available right now, rigorous quality control measures and precise dosing of stem cell injection, Swiss Medica is able to provide patients with the most advanced and effective stem cell treatments available.
Cost of Stem Cell Therapy for Neuropathy
How much does stem cell therapy cost for neuropathy treatment? The cost of the therapy depends on the underlying condition, the severity and duration of the symptoms, and the extent of nerve damage. However, the price will generally be between €7,000 and €31,000*.
Patients diagnosed with neuropathy can have a free online consultation with our stem cell experts at the Swiss Medica clinic to learn more about the effectiveness of stem cells for neuropathy. For instance, they will detail the precise cost of stem cell therapy for specific cases, such as stem cell therapy for neuropathy in feet, as well as the indications and contraindications of the treatment.
Make an appointment for your free consultation right away to learn if therapy would be appropriate for you.
*The prices mentioned are indicative and subject to change based on individual factors, including the condition’s severity and the number of stem cells needed. Prices are valid as of January 2025.
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Contact us to learn about the expected results of the treatment, its cost and duration.
Medical Advisor, Swiss Medica doctor
List of References
Feldman, E. L., Callaghan, B. C., Pop-Busui, R., Zochodne, D. W., Wright, D. E., Bennett, D. L., Bril, V., Russell, J. W., & Viswanathan, V. (2019). Diabetic neuropathy. Nature reviews. Disease primers, 5(1), 41. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-019-0092-1
Hammi, C., & Yeung, B. (2022). Neuropathy. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
Zhou, J., Zhang, Z., & Qian, G. (2019). Neuropathy and inflammation in diabetic bone marrow. Diabetes/metabolism research and reviews, 35(1), e3083. https://doi.org/10.1002/dmrr.3083
Sadowski, A., & Houck, R. C. (2022). Alcoholic Neuropathy. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
Siniscalco, D., Rossi, F., & Maione, S. (2007). Stem cell therapy for neuropathic pain treatment. Journal of stem cells & regenerative medicine, 3(1), 2–11. https://doi.org/10.46582/jsrm.0301002
Sharma, S., & Rangarajan, R. V. (2024). Role of Regenerative Therapeutics in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: Current Advances and Future Prospects. European Journal of Medical and Health Sciences, 6(2), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.24018/ejmed.2024.6.2.2030
Medical Advisor, Swiss Medica doctor
