3 Medical Advancements of the Past Decade
Technology is always advancing. One of the fastest advancing fields in the world is medical technology. From antibiotic-resistant infections to deadly illnesses like ebola, the health threats facing the world are serious and many. Fortunately, some of the greatest minds in the world are working to solve the medical problems which humanity faces.
Some of these medical advancements can help you more than you might think. Read on for some important recent medical advancements.
Hormone Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy has been around for a long time. However, recent scientific advancements have made it more safe and effective than ever. What’s more, hormone therapy now treats more conditions than it did in the past.
Hormone therapy is traditionally associated with menopause. While treating menopause is still an important use of bioidentical hormones, they have now been approved for the treatment of conditions such as chronic pain, obesity, and insufficient muscle mass. Being safer and more affordable than before, hormone therapy may be able to help you.
Researchers have developed a 3D printer that prints human embryonic stem cells while other advnaces are still lagging behind (Dr Will Shu / Biofabrication)
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
Human immunodeficiency virus, commonly known as HIV, is an infection many people find extremely frightening. After being exposed to HIV, you never get rid of it. It will lay dormant in your system until it evolves into acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS. AIDS destroys your body’s ability to fight infection. Minor infections can kill people with AIDS. There is still no cure.
However, medical science has come far in the fight against HIV/AIDS. One of the most exciting recent advances is pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP. PrEP is not for people who have HIV, but for those who regularly are at high risk for contracting it — for instance, a person who is married to somebody with HIV. By taking PrEP everyday, risk of contracting HIV is reduced by up to 92%.
PrEP was approved last year. It strikes a significant blow against a disease that has killed hundreds of thousands of the world’s most vulnerable, including racial minorities, LGBTQ people, and women. It hopefully marks the beginning of the end of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Stem Cell Research
Scientists have understood for a long time the potential of stem cells. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells. This means they can develop into any kind of cell in the human body. Controversy and technological limitations have prevented stem cell research from advancing much until recently. Now, scientists have figured out how to turn back the clock on a regular adult skin cell — that is, turn it back into a stem cell.
The ability to make stem cells from any kind of cell indicates a future of organ regrowth and other possibilities which were previously science fiction.
Conclusion
Medical science continues to make incredible advancements every day. The future holds great things for health technology.
Guest Author: Lolita Di
