Blood Cords and MS Treatment
Multiple sclerosis, also known as MS, is a chronic disease that affects the brain and the spinal chord. It specifically affects the neurons that carry the information from the brain to the spinal cord. These neurons are the ones that create thought and perception and enable control over the body. Multiple sclerosis causes the gradual destruction of the myelin sheath, which is the fatty layer that protects and surrounds the neurons that carry electric signals. MS causes multiple scars (or scleroses) to the myelin sheaths. MS is considered an attack to the immune system in the nervous system, so it is called an autoimmune disease.
MS Treatment
The symptoms of MS are numerous and they depend on which neurons are affected. MS can cause problems like visual and sensory changes, depression, muscle weakness, difficulties in speech, and coordination. MS can cause disability, paralysis, and immobility in severe cases. There are no current MS treatments that can totally cure the person affected with the disease, but there are available MS treatments that can help slow down the appearance of new symptoms.
Blood Cord Research
Because of the success of blood cord treatments in several immune system diseases, there is a lot of research being done currently to explore the possibilities of curing MS through stem cell transplantation. However, at this time, there is still no treatment available that involves blood cord cells and its effects are still being analyzed through immune response. Mothers can help expand the research currently being conducted by donating her baby's blood cord after giving birth. The National Marrow Donor Program and the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage the donation of umbilical cord or blood cord for research purposes in finding MS treatment. At this time, there is still no solid evidence that shows that stem cells from blood cord can be transformed into other types of cells like the replacement of myelin-making cells and nerve tissue.
Donation of blood cord for MS research
If you are interested in donating blood cord to help further the research for blood cord and MS treatment, then you are encouraged to contact a public blood cord bank by the 35 th week of your pregnancy. At the time of birth, the umbilical cord will be clamped and the remaining blood will be drained. The blood that will be collected is known as the blood cord. It will be sealed, transported to the laboratory, and stored in a blood cord bank for research use. You can contact the National Marrow Donor Program through their website www.marrow.org. Donating your blood cord is painless and harmless to you and your baby since the umbilical cord is usually discarded after birth. Donating your blood cord can be a big help in finding the cure for multiple sclerosis.