Liver diseases claim millions of lives each year and present serious obstacles to global healthcare. Two conditions that can seriously shorten a person’s life expectancy and quality of life are liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Conventional therapy has the disadvantage of often focusing on symptom management rather than treating the underlying causes of these illnesses. However, recently, a promising avenue has come forth in the form of stem cell therapy for liver diseases in India.
Overview Of Liver Diseases
Understanding the variety of liver diseases and their effects is essential before undergoing stem cell therapy. Chronic liver damage caused by diseases like hepatitis or alcohol abuse is a common cause of liver cirrhosis, which is characterized by the scarring of the liver tissues. Liver cirrhosis can be brought on by a variety of other liver disorders. Acute liver failure can happen suddenly, causing liver dysfunction to start right away and possibly even be fatal. The excessive build-up of scar tissue that results in liver fibrosis gradually reduces liver function. However, early treatment or stem cell treatment for liver disease can prevent further damage to the liver.
- Liver Cirrhosis: This condition involves the gradual scarring of liver tissue, leading to impaired liver function. Common causes are chronic alcohol abuse, viral hepatitis B and C, non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases, and autoimmune hepatitis. It has symptoms like fatigue, jaundice, abdominal swelling, and easy bruising or bleeding.
- Liver fibrosis: Prolonged inflammation and injury in the liver are frequently accompanied by an excessive buildup of scar tissue. NAFLD, alcoholism, persistent hepatitis infections, and specific genetic illnesses are among the causes. If left untreated, symptoms that may not be noticeable in the early stages can develop into cirrhosis.
- Hepatocellular Carcinoma: This type of liver cancer originates in hepatocytes, the primary cells of the liver. Risk factors are chronic hepatitis B or C infection, cirrhosis, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, and exposure to certain toxins. Symptoms may include abdominal pain and unexplained weight loss.
- Genetic Liver Disorders: Genetic abnormalities impacting iron metabolism, copper accumulation, or protein processing can cause damage and dysfunction to the liver in Wilson’s disease, hemochromatosis, and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
Types Of Liver Disease
There are various forms of liver disease, each with its own distinct causes, conditions, and therapeutic modalities. These include genetic disorders, alcoholism, infections, and other things. Scarring of liver tissue can also lead to more liver diseases, like cirrhosis,hepatitis. However, Early treatments can prevent further liver damage.
Viral Infections
- Hepatitis A: It is typically transmitted by consuming tainted food or water; it does not harm the body and typically clears up in six months.
- Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B can lead to liver damage and liver cancer. It is transmitted through sexual contact, infected blood, or mother-to-child during childbirth.
- Hepatitis C: Hepatitis C infection can cause liver cancer, cirrhosis, fibrosis, and inflammation and mainly spreads through infected blood.
Alcoholism and Liver Disease
- Fatty Liver: Unnecessary fat accumulates in the liver due to alcohol consumption.
- Alcoholic Hepatitis: Too much alcohol abuse can cause inflammation in the liver.
- Alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH): A combination of alcoholic hepatitis and liver inflammation can cause severe damage.
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
NAFLD is a liver condition where fats get built up in the liver, but it’s not caused by alcohol consumption. It starts as harmless fat in the liver. However, it can progress to (NASH) Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis, which causes liver inflammation, cirrhosis, and liver cancer, if not treated soon.
Autoimmune Hepatitis
Autoimmune Hepatitis is a condition where the immune system starts working against the liver, like attacking liver cells, leading to chronic inflammations and liver damage. If not treated, it can lead to further liver damage.
Cirrhosis
Alcoholism and some liver disease conditions, including hepatitis, can cause cirrhosis, which is the scarring of the liver tissues. which prompts the liver to produce scar tissue to replace injured tissue and heal the liver. Liver failure and liver cancer are more likely to occur in people with this disease. Continuous infection and then the repair of scar tissues lead to liver cirrhosis, which makes it difficult for the liver to function properly.
The Promise of Stem Cell Therapy
Because of their special abilities, such as self-renewal and cell type differentiation, stem cells have a great deal of promise. Several promising treatment options for liver diseases are made possible by stem cell therapy:
- Regeneration of Liver Tissues: Stem cells can differentiate into the primary cells in the liver, such as hepatocytes, promoting tissue regeneration and restoring liver function in conditions like cirrhosis and acute liver failure.
- Anti-fibrotic Effects: For reducing scar tissue formation and slowing down the progression of liver fibrosis, stem cells possess anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrosis properties.
- Targeted Cancer Treatment: It is not a standalone cure for liver cancer yet, but stem cell therapy can complement conventional treatments for liver cancer by targeting cancerous cells and supporting overall liver health.
- Genetic Disorder: Genetically modifying stem cells can address underlying genetic abnormalities and potentially treat conditions such as hemochromatosis.
Personalized Treatment Approaches
The ability to create customized treatment regimens is stem cell therapy’s strongest suit. Through diagnosis and analysis of each patient’s distinct genetic profile and the course of the disease, medical professionals can modify stem cell therapies to effectively target particular liver conditions, optimize therapeutic benefits, and reduce risks and side effects. At Stem Cell Care India, we have a highly-qualified team of doctors and the best stem cell center for liver diseases with precision care and medication.
Wrapping Up
Stem Cell Care India provides a promising approach to treating various liver diseases, addressing causes, symptoms, and personalized treatment plans. At Stem Cell Care India, we have stem cell treatment for liver disease in Delhi and provide compassionate care for patients with our professional doctors to ensure you get better treatment. To book an appointment, Contact us here.