Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Because of my last posting, some of you may be wondering what hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is.

Overview

* A painless procedure in which patient is exposed to increased pressure, allowing greater absorption of oxygen throughout body tissues, resulting in many healing and therapeutic effects.
* Oxygen floods areas that are oxygen-starved, stimulating cell growth and regeneration.
* US FDA approved treatment for 13 indications and is now widely used in the USA, UK and China in the treatment of neurological disorders such as Cerebral Palsy, ADD/ADHD, Autism, Stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, immune dysfunction, spinal cord injury, anoxic brain injury, near drowning and other off-label indications.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), is a non-invasive method that uses 100% oxygen under increased atmospheric pressure in a controlled total body chamber. It started as a medical treatment to speed up and enhance the body's natural ability to heal. Today, it is an approved modality that is most often used as an adjunct or enhancement therapy for a wide variety of medical conditions.

How does HBOT work?

Normally, the red blood cells transport oxygen throughout the body. With HBOT, oxygen can be carried to areas where circulation is diminished or blocked since it is dissolved into all of the body’s fluids including the plasma, the central nervous system fluids, the lymph, and the bone. Moreover, extra oxygen are able to nourish the damaged tissues making the body capable of its own healing process. The increased oxygen also greatly improves the body’s infection control as it enhances the function of the white blood cells and promotes formation of new blood vessels in the affected areas.

Inactive or damaged neurons receive just enough oxygen to survive but not enough to function or fire electrically. With HBOT, the neurons become reactivated and are facilitated for function once again. The reactivation of these cells leads to plasticity such that the brain is able to learn or relearn the skills that are necessary for proper function of both the body and the brain makes new connections for recovery of trunk, limb and muscle movement and the brain, as it relates to cognitive function.

What is plasticity or neuroplasticity?

Plasticity or neuroplasticity is one of the most widely celebrated discoveries in the 21st century. It is a mechanism that proves brain repair is possible. It involves the redirection and reeducation of neurons to create new pathways to learn and improve both cognitive and motor skills. Plasticity follows any brain insult when the brain and body compensate and attempt to overcome and rewire their connections to learn to take over the tasks of the damaged neurons.

SUMMARY of Benefits:

* Provides the extra oxygen (with minimal side effects) naturally required to reach the damaged area where the body’s natural healing ability is unable to function properly
* Improves the quality of life of the patient in many areas when standard medicine is not sufficient
* Ensures the best recovery possible when used in conjunction with other therapies

Applications

HBOT can be used to treat patients who suffer from various diseases or injuries associated with hypoxia, or lack of oxygen on a cellular level. It can also be used for its antibiotic properties as it enhances infection control. Some conditions that were found elicit good response to HBOT include:

* Stroke
* Cerebral Palsy
* Traumatic Brain Injury and other head injuries
* Chronic Fatigue
* Autism
* Lyme Disease
* Migraine
* Multiple Sclerosis
* Near Drowning
* Recovery from Plastic Surgery
* Sports Injuries
* Air or Gas Embolism
* Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
* Compartment Syndrome/Crush Injury/Other Traumatic Ischemias
* Decompression Sickness (Bends)
* Diabetic and Selected Wounds
* Exceptional Blood Loss (Anemia)
* Gas Gangrene
* Intracranial Abscess
* Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection
* Osteoradionecrosis and Radiation Tissue Damage
* Osteomyelitis (Refractory)
* Skin Grafts and (Compromised) Flaps
* Thermal Burns

US FDA approved indications

* Carbon monoxide poisoning
* Gas gangrene
* Crush injury/acute trauma
* Diabetic foot ulcers
* Decompression sickness
* Selected problem wounds
* Necrotizing soft tissue
* Osteomyelitis (refractory)
* Radiation tissue damage
* Severe anemia
* Skin grafts and flaps
* Thermal burns
* Air or gas embolism

Some off-label indications

* ADD/ADHD
* ALS
* Alzheimer’s
* Anoxic Brain Injury
* Autism
* Bell’s Palsy
* Cancer Cerebral Palsy
* Chronic fatigue
* Diabetes
* Lyme Disease
* Multiple Sclerosis
* Meniere’s Disease
* Immune Dysfunction
* Stroke
* Spinal Cord Injury
* Traumatic Brain Injury
* Vascular Disease
* Crohn’s Disease
* Fibromyalgia
* Heart Disease
* Infections
* Macula Degeneration
* Migraines
* Mitochondrial Disorders
* Near Drowning
* Peripheral Neuropathy
* Post Electrocution
* Raynaud’s Phenomenon
* Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
* RetinitisPigmentosa
* Rheumatoid Arthritis
* Severed Limbs
* Sickle Cell Crisis
* Sports Injuries

Side Effects

Although HBOT is extremely safe, some patients may complain of:

* Barotrauma to the ears and sinuses due to changes in pressure
* Temporary and minor changes in vision
* Oxygen toxicity due to overexposure

Treatment guidelines are to be strictly followed to prevent or minimize the side effects.

References:

* Neubauer, V. I. .Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
*and Intensive Pediatric Exercise http://www.oceanhbo.com
* Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Testimonials & Resources
* New Developments in Child Neurology
* Rapid Recovery Hyperbarics : Research References
* HBO Treatment: Autism and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
* Wikipedia: Types of Oxygen Toxicity



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