Daily Archives: March 1, 2015

‘Stem Therapy can Save a Diabetic from Amputation’

Dr Kanaka Bhushanam
Dr Kanaka Bhushanam

As various advances are made in regenerative medicine, stem cell therapies are seen as the innovative solutions to treating diseases where standard treatments available at present are proving to be ineffective. Dr Kanaka Bhushanam, head of the stem cell therapy dept at KIMS Foundation and Research Centre, throws light on stem cell therapy and its merits in an interview with Express.

What is stem cell therapy?

A stem cell is an initial cell which multiplies into a number of cells which, in turn, form into different groups and each group develops into a specific organ. The whole of human body is developed from the embryo which, in turn, is developed from one single cell. Stem cell therapy is the process of treating diseases using the ability of a stem cell to multiply into different cells.

How is stem cell therapy better than others?

Stem cell therapy is useful to persons suffering from diabetic foot, scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, paralysis, stroke, blindness, hearing loss, orthopedic problems, etc. It is effective for degenerative and autoimmune diseases. Though stem cell therapy can do wonders in the treatment of several diseases, right now it is widely used in treating diabetic foot, lupus and scleroderma. Stem cell therapy is still in clinical trials stage and once the trials succeed there will be revolutionary changes in treating several chronic diseases. It can even be an answer to organ transplantation as cells from the same person can be used to develop new organs in the body.

How is stem cell therapy given?

Stem cells are taken from the bone marrow of a patient, developed and cultured in a lab, and injected into the person again. For example, the diabetic foot problem occurs when blood vessels carrying blood to the limbs are blocked and the blood supply is stopped. In that case, a stem cell is taken from a diabetic whose foot is affected and injected into his blood vessels again to de-block them and restore the blood supply to the limbs. As result, new cells start forming in the limbs thus obviating the need for amputation of the leg.

How is patients’ response to this therapy?

Stem cell therapy is yet to become popular as only a few medical institutes in India offer it. There is a need for awareness about stem cell therapy because if debilitating conditions like diabetic foot are diagnosed early and stem therapy is given, patients can be saved from amputation.

What about the cost?

Unlike other advanced treatments, stem cell therapy is well within the reach of the common man. For instance, the treatment for and surgery on diabetic foot using stem cell therapy costs about Rs 1.50 lakh. The cost is not a barrier to popularising stem cell therapy in India but shortage of expertise is.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service / March 01st, 2015

Marathis of city very much part of TS: Nayani

Home Minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy on Friday told Maharashtrians in the twin cities that they were not ‘Marathis’ but ‘Tela-nganites’, recalling that they were steadfast in their support for a separate State.

Speaking at a function organised by the Vivek Vardhini Educational Society, marking the birth anniversary of its founder, Vishnu Vaman Shiwarkar, that was also part of the Jagatik Marathi Divas, and attended by Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mohd. Mahmood Ali, he said that the Marathis were always ahead in the service of people.

Support promised

“When we organised the first meeting for a separate Telangana in 1969, no one gave us a venue and it was in these very grounds that we held it. When the Nizam welcomed you, why can’t we make you feel comfortable? Any problems you have, I will take it up with the Chief Minister,” he said amid applause.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – February 28th, 2015