Important Announcement

About Stem Cell Treatments

Stem cell treatments for many neurodegenerative diseases and conditions, including MS, stroke, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson's and select brain injuries are now available through BridgeHealth.

After a thorough search to find the best partners we could identify in the world, BridgeHealth has finalized agreements to provide stem cell therapy for a variety of neurodegenerative diseases, sight restoration and skin, bone and soft tissue diseases.  We are very excited to be able to provide this service to our clients.

Stem cell treatment is experimental while providing great promise for several very debilitating conditions.  Our manufacturing and treatment partners are committed to the highest standards of manufacturing and ongoing clinical research.  The research has been underway for 30 years with thousands of patients receiving treatment, many with outstanding results. 

Please contact us to determine current availability. 

Overview

Did you know?

Every human being begins in utero as stem cells. These cells have the ability to develop into any of the more than 200 types of cells in our bodies. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential to either remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell. [1]

While articles about stem cell therapy are prevalent in today’s headlines, stem cell technology itself is not new. The use of adult stem cells for treatment of a variety of conditions is based on thirty years of international research and clinical experience. These therapies have been shown to produce life-changing outcomes for thousands.

The history of stem cell research began in the early 1900s in Europe where a researcher realized that various types of blood cells came from a particular stem cell. It was not until 1963, however, that the first description of the self-renewal activities of cells was documented [2]. Today, stem cells are now being used to serve as a repair system for the body because further studies have shown that stem cells can divide, restore, and replenish.

But why travel for stem cell therapy?

For most conditions, stem cell therapies are not available in many countries, including the US. When available, the cost for these therapies is very high. Stem cell centers abroad have had more experience treating many of the health issues stem cell therapy can improve.

As with many other goods and services, the global marketplace has given rise to competition. Within the healthcare universe the result as been the creation of a three dimensional reality for consumers when traveling internationally for medical services: a rise in higher quality care; dramatic cost-savings; and a level of superior service and patient experience.

Definition

Procedures

• Neurodegenerative Diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis, and stroke
• Neurodegenerative Eye Diseases such as Diabetic Retinopathy, Retinitis Pigmentosa, and Macular Degeneration
• Spinal Cord and Ischemic Brain Injuries
• Skin conditions such as scars, burns, and diabetic ulcers
• Bone Damage
• Crohn’s Disease

New Advances

A potential advantage of using stem cells from an adult is that the patient's own cells can be expanded in culture and then reintroduced into the patient. Since the cells are harvested from one’s own body, they would not be rejected by the immune system. This represents a significant advantage, as immune rejection is a difficult problem that can only be circumvented with immunosuppressive drugs.

Support and Aftercare

Medical Aftercare
Recovery time from stem cell treatment is generally minimal. The patient is released after a successful 24-hour observation period following the last day of treatment. The patient continues a course of adjunct therapy, physical therapy, or other therapy as prescribed by his or her doctor.

The progress of the patient is monitored and evaluated to determine if additional treatments are needed and to track outcomes for research purposes. The monitoring process takes place at set intervals for up to two years after treatment.

Some follow-up care may be necessary once you return home. BridgeHealth has over 80 offices in all of the United States that are available to our clients for both pre- and postoperative care. We can help arrange a wide variety of aftercare needs including post-procedure checkups, prescription services, and even higher levels of care if necessary. Your Travel Care Coordinator will review your aftercare concerns, discuss your options with you, and arrange care if necessary.

Additional Considerations

Special Assistance
Please let your BridgeHealth nurse or Travel Care Coordinator know if you have any special needs for assistance with walking, standing or sitting, assistance with a wheelchair, toileting assistance, urinary catheter care, or help with activities of daily living such as washing or showering. BridgeHealth can help arrange any special assistance you may need.

Know Your Stem Cell Treatment Center
BridgeHealth has gone to great effort to select the highest caliber doctors across the globe. Our nursing staff attends procedures in overseas operating rooms, observes the quality of aseptic techniques, and interviews the practitioners and their peers.

At home or abroad, you should feel comfortable asking your doctor questions and discussing your procedural options, while being confident in your doctor’s ability to assist you with your condition. A doctor’s certifications, education, experience, and ability to communicate with you are factors you should consider in deciding if he or she is right for you.

As the premier international healthcare service provider, BridgeHealth carefully selects centers of excellence for our World-Class Provider Network™. Many facilities are accredited by bodies such as the Joint Commission International (JCI), TRENT, ISQua, etc. and are largely staffed by Western-trained, board-certified physicians.

BridgeHealth invites you to ask us about any data available for you to perform healthcare comparison-shopping and to personally evaluate provider services. We can answer any of your questions regarding your doctor’s qualifications and experience as well.

Destinations

The following countries feature members of our World-Class Provider Network™ who perform stem cell therapies.

Please inquire for current availability.

How BridgeHealth Works

As the premier provider of medical travel services, BridgeHealth International, Inc. (BridgeHealth) is dedicated to empowering you with all of the information you need to make your trip successful.

BridgeHealth understands that the prospect of traveling abroad for medical procedures can be an overwhelming experience. Because we place such a premium on the continuity of communication and care, we provide you with your own experienced Travel Care Coordinator who can help you in a way that is tailored to your exact wants and needs. Your Travel Care Coordinator is your personal contact through every step of the process and can assist you by:

• Helping you complete our Short Form Inquiry, and arranging for a BridgeHealth Nurse to talk with your international surgeon
• Planning your dates of travel including arranging for the lowest airfare possible with complimentary airport pick up, ground transport and airport drop off
• Scheduling your appointments in your destination country
• Helping with passports, visas and immunizations
• Explaining pre- and post-operative instructions
• Answering all your questions about costs, length of stay, cultural issues abroad, what to pack, and what kinds of incidental costs you may have to plan for (ex: taxis, shopping or sightseeing tours)
• Arranging for ongoing updates on your condition with your family and friends while you are away
• Coordinating follow-up medical services for your return home

In addition to your Travel Care Coordinator, you can also speak with a BridgeHealth Registered Nurse who can answer your questions about specific medical procedures or conditions. Your nurse will also be involved in coordinating your care with your surgeon(s).

To get started, please see the Get Started: Build Your Bridge Today section.

Pricing

Rest assured that BridgeHealth has negotiated the best prices available. There are no added fees for using our Travel Care Coordinators. We are here to help reduce your stress and assist you with making the best, most informed choice possible.

The cost for your procedure depends upon the particulars of the procedure itself, the destination, and your specific medical condition. The information you provide on your Short Form Inquiry can help us give you the most accurate price range for your procedure.

Get Started: Build Your Bridge Today

Your journey into international healthcare starts by providing us with the information we need to best assist you. Please begin by filling out our Short Form Inquiry. If you are unsure about how to answer any questions on the form, a BridgeHealth Travel Care Coordinator will be happy to assist you with any questions or concerns.

After your Short From Inquiry is complete, a Travel Care Coordinator or BridgeHealth Nurse will review your information with international surgeons and contact you within 24-48 hours. This allows us to give you the most precise pricing estimate, tailored to your exact wants and needs.

If you prefer to speak with someone immediately, or need assistance completing your Short Form Inquiry, you can reach us by phone toll free from the US and Canada at 800.680.1366 or +1.303.457.5759 from other countries. Our on-call coordinators and nurses are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergencies and to assist clients abroad. All non-emergency inquiries are assigned to a coordinator immediately and calls are returned the same day received.

References

1. Stem Cell Basics . In Stem Cell Information [World Wide Web site]. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2006 Available at http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/defaultpage

2. Journal of Cellular Physiology. Volume 213, Issue 2, Pages 440-444

Helpful Links

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Disclaimer

The information provided here is presented for your education and is not intended to replace a consultation with a licensed physician. It is not to be construed as medical advice nor is it to be used for any emergency health need you may be experiencing. Surgery always carries with it risks of infection and bleeding and anesthesia always carries numerous risks including death. Any country, including the United States, can have an outbreak of illness at anytime. These illnesses are listed at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website www.CDC.gov. © BridgeHealth International, Inc. 2008. For more details, see Terms of Use.