Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs)
NCDs or Non-communicable diseases result from unhealthy lifestyle choices.
Causes and Severity of NCDs
According to the WHO and the Thai Ministry of Public Health’s NCD Division, NCDs have been the leading cause of death globally during the last decade. In Thailand, the number of cases are still on the rise, with common risk factors being the consumption of sugary and greasy foods, smoking, unhealthy sleep habits, stress, and lack of physical exercise.
The extent of cell or tissue damage determines the severity of NCDs. For example, heavily damaged pancreatic cells result in abnormal release of insulin, which worsens diabetes. In the case of cardiovascular diseases, damaged endothelial cells allow fat to accumulate in the arteries the arteries and blood pressure to increase. Patients then usually suffer from reduced blood circulation to the heart, and, eventually, heart failure.
What are NCDs?
- Cardiovascular diseases (high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, etc.)
- Stroke
- Diabetes (type II)
- Cancer
Causes and Severity of NCDs
According to the WHO and the Thai Ministry of Public Health’s NCD Division, NCDs have been the leading cause of death globally during the last decade. In Thailand, the number of cases are still on the rise, with common risk factors being the consumption of sugary and greasy foods, smoking, unhealthy sleep habits, stress, and lack of physical exercise.
The extent of cell or tissue damage determines the severity of NCDs. For example, heavily damaged pancreatic cells result in abnormal release of insulin, which worsens diabetes. In the case of cardiovascular diseases, damaged endothelial cells allow fat to accumulate in the arteries the arteries and blood pressure to increase. Patients then usually suffer from reduced blood circulation to the heart, and, eventually, heart failure.
Stem Cell Therapy for NCDs
Known for their ability to repair and replace damaged cells, stem cells are a popular treatment among anti-aging solutions and cell therapies. In 2016, a medical report by clinical.org, a website that keeps a global record on stem cell use, showed that in 60% of cases where stem cell use was used for NCDs, the severity of the disease subsided once the stem cells repaired or replaced the damaged cells.
References:
• Heather L. Greenwood, Peter A. Singer, Gregory P. Downey, Douglas K. Martin, Halla Thorsteinsdottir and Abdallah S. Daar, Regenerative Medicine and the Developing World, PLOS Medicine (2019): 3(9): 1496-1500
• Tiziana Squillaro, Gianfranco Peluso and Umberto Galderisi, Clinical Trials with Mesenchymal Stem Cells: An Update, Cell Transplantation (2016): 25:829-848
• กองควบคุมโรคสํานักโรคไม่ติดต่อ กระทรวงสาธารณสุข, http://www.thaincd.com/2016/mission3