Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBOT) is an effective treatment method for a number of diseases and conditions including asthma, depression, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, and ADD/ADHD. My interest in this innovative therapy was sparked when a relative was home sick with viral encephalitis, an infection resulting from a virus that carries the characteristics of an allergy. He had been treated previously with intravenous fluids and a gram stain for viral encephalitis and had returned to his home five days later with positive results. I watched helplessly as his skin started peeling at the cellular level and then quickly progressed into complete body flaking. Heading back to his physician's office, he was informed that he could have an inhaled oxygen therapy (HBOT) in his home to combat the progress of the illness. The news was good, but I wanted to find out how hyperbaric oxygen therapies (HBOT) worked, and if they were an appropriate option for my relative.
My doctor prescribed a portable, battery-operated nebulizer for the patient, explaining that hyperbaric chamber treatments would be administered in a "high-pressurized" environment. The term high-pressure is a relative term, of course, but most HBOT units are typically used in emergency rooms or physicians' offices. High pressure essentially means that the atmosphere inside the chamber is much higher than the pressure outside the chamber, essentially creating a hyperbaric oxygen environment in which the body can absorb nutrients and oxygen faster and more efficiently. The hyperbaric chamber treatments are not meant for people with normal lung function, nor are they recommended for anyone with breathing or heart problems or those with allergies.
HBOT is relatively safe, but there are some potential side effects. Two of the more common complications are vomiting and nausea, both of which may be associated with hyperbaric chambers. It is important to note, however, that these are only two of the possible complications and not all of them. My sister suffered from acute bronchial asthma and was later diagnosed as having COPD; her symptoms did not subside when she used portable hyperbaric chambers.
As I mentioned, hyperbaric chambers have been found to be effective in treating many different diseases and conditions. As I mentioned earlier, autism is one of them. There is currently a clinical trial ongoing at the University of Illinois' College of Medicine. The primary focus of this study is to determine the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapies have on autistic children; therefore, the researchers want to find out how the chamber affects autistic brains. This chamber treatment will also provide additional information on how the treatment increases blood flow, vital indicators in brain function, and how it can also reduce or eliminate seizures.
Although the research is still ongoing at the U of I's College of Medicine, there are already some promising results. For example, the researchers found that a high pressure hot chamber combined with an ultra-light pulse using a hyperbaric oxygen therapy resulted in an almost complete remission (preliminary report, p =.1) of seizure activity in children with mild autism. These results were found after just four weeks of therapy. In addition, there are now clinical trials taking place in the U.S. and Europe to determine the safety and effectiveness of high-pressure hot chamber treatments for various circulatory and respiratory conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, and other lung disorders. These trials are currently recruiting participants.
What makes hyperbaric chambers so exciting is the fact that they are extremely safe and reliable. To top it off, they are FDA approved for all patients with any kind of medical condition and without any known side effects. These chambers work by filling the air chamber with pressurized, enriched gaseous air and infusing it with anti-inflammatory drugs and medications used in advanced procedures. The air then reaches the patient's brain through a tube that is attached to the brain's skull. When the brain is stimulated in the presence of oxygen, it produces natural mood lifters, improves memory, and decreases seizures and anxiety.
As mentioned above, most hospitals use hyperbaric chamber treatments on a trial basis when no other treatment has been successful. Anecdotal evidence supports the claim that hyperbaric oxygen therapies can be very effective for people suffering from stroke, chronic pain, spinal cord injuries, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Children with autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome have also shown improvement while receiving treatments in hyperbaric chambers. This type of treatment may also benefit those with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is the most common cause of daytime sleepiness during the night. Many patients experience significant improvement when they begin receiving hyperbaric chamber treatments.
Before hyperbaric chamber treatments are made available for home use, they are administered by a qualified physician in a medical facility. Home use of hyperbaric oxygen therapies is currently not approved by the FDA as an appropriate medical treatment for any condition or ailment. Anyone considering hyperbaric chamber treatments should consult a physician to discuss the benefits and risks of this treatment option. hyperbaric chamber treatments are not intended to treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Anyone considering home use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy should do so under the supervision of a physician.
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