Health care is a fast-paced industry. In just the past 20 years, health scientists and clinicians have finished mapping the human genome; developed vaccines for cancer; established widespread use of ultrasounds for emergency care; and more! A seemingly sci-fi reality is upon us, with extraordinary technologies and an unprecedented understanding of life itself enabling all of us to live longer, healthier lives. What once might have been seen as radical has now become reality. Take a look at some of the most astonishing medical treatments available today:
The Cancer Genome Atlas Program
Most people are familiar with the Human Genome Project, the program that saw scientists around the world come together to identify the entire sequence of genes in the human body. Many, however, might be unaware that science has also mapped the genome of 33 different types of cancer. With this information, science can better anticipate disease progression and better predict treatment response among patients, thus enabling doctors to create individualized care plans for their patients.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a treatment that harnesses the body’s own immune system to fight disease. Its primary target has been cancer, but studies show promise in using immunotherapy to treat other types of disease, such as autoimmune disorders (like diabetes and multiple sclerosis) and heart disease, as well as to help reduce immune sensitization in whole organ transplants. Doctors are basically now programming the body to heal itself!
Smart Health Care
If someone had told you 50 years ago that you’d be able to use a phone to treat a medical issue, you probably would have laughed and thought it impossible. But here we are, in 2021, using our cell phones and other “smart” technologies (such as big data, artificial intelligence, the internet of things, fitness trackers and other wearable devices, etc.) to identify and diagnose health problems, as well as track and control symptoms. With mobile-based and remote resources, doctors and patients alike have access to improved health information that often results in reduced costs and better overall health management for everyone involved!
Regenerative Medicine
If there’s one thing that especially stands out in modern medicine, it’s the ability science now has to replace tissues within the human body. Thanks to recent advancements in regenerative medicine, patients are finding solutions for their degenerative conditions, disease and injuries. For example, clinics like ThriveMD are using stem cell therapy to alleviate the pain of degenerative joint conditions and injuries that result in tissue damage. Studies suggest doctors can use stem cells to engineer new joint tissue, replacing dead, damaged or otherwise degenerated cells so that patients are able to live with increased mobility and decreased pain. Moreover, scientists have used stem cells to grow many other types of organs in a lab setting, suggesting that what once seemed like something from a science fiction novel is actually at hand!