HBOT for the Treatment of Stroke

Stroke is the third largest cause of death, and the leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States.  Stroke is a form of cardiovascular disease, affecting blood flow to and within the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain either bursts or is blocked.  This causes areas of the brain, which are not receiving oxygen through blood, to die or become dormant.  When areas of the brain die from a stroke, the area of the body corresponding to the affected damaged areas of the brain becomes dysfunctional.

Medical studies have found that while the prominent brain tissue of stroke patients may be damaged irreversibly, surrounding tissue that is considered dormant may be restored with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. It is these surrounding sleeping areas (the ischemic penumbra) that are responsible for the majority of the disability present in stroke.  Reviving these inactive areas with oxygen has resulted in a return of functionality and in some cases, dramatic recovery.

HBOT for the Treatment of Stroke

Swelling of tissues, resulting in lack of blood flow and oxygen, often accompany the death of cells in brain tissues in stroke patients.   Hyperbaric pressurizes the environment to allow oxygen to better penetrate parts of the body where blood flow is hindered.  Hyperbaric oxygen therapy alleviates ischemia and hypoxia, which are defined as lack of blood flow and oxygen.  In addition, the therapy decreases swelling of chronically traumatized areas of the brain as well as other swollen tissues.

Oxygen is dissolved in the plasma and nourishes tissues, regardless of the absence of red blood cells, when hyperbaric oxygen therapy is utilized.  The pressurized chamber forces oxygen into all areas of the body, resulting in a re-awakening of dormant areas of the brain prevalent in persons who have suffered a stroke.   Hyperbaric therapy is also known to regenerate new blood vessels to damaged areas of the brain and aids in the repair and restoration of glial cells, extracellular matrix and injured neurons.

Source: hbotreatment.com.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is used to treat a wide range of conditions, with new applications being researched on a continual basis. There are currently fifteen conditions treatable with hyperbaric that are approved by the FDA in the US.

However, there are numerous “off-label” uses for hyperbaric oxygen therapy, many of which are documented with scientific evidence that is stronger than that of the FDA approved conditions.  Nearly all medical clinics, doctor’s offices, and hospitals use FDA-approved drugs and medical devices for “off-label” use on a consistent basis.  FDA allows “off-label” use of approved medical devices that have scientific data supporting their use under the supervision of a licensed physician.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) used to treat Autism

There is an estimated 1 to 1.5 million Autistic individuals in the United States.  With an annual growth rate of 11-16%, and a 172% increase from the 1990’s, Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in this country.  The condition effects communication and social interactions and is the effect of neurological dysfunction.  Autism is a spectrum disorder, with varying degrees of impact and is the most common of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD).  Other disorders in this spectrum range include; Asperger’s Syndrome, Rett’s Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Not Otherwise Specified Pervasive Development Disorder.

While the cause of Autism is unknown at this time, there are many theories as to the source of the condition.  Some medical professionals claim that the Autism is caused by a state of hypoxia, or lack of oxygen to areas of the brain.  Others state that the condition was due to a high fever or infection, trauma during birth, mineral or other nutritional deficiencies, vaccination reactions, mercury poisoning, chemical exposures, or abnormal blood flow in the brain.  While there is currently no cure for Autism, researchers are investigating new and revolutionary means of treating the condition with promising results.

Source: hbotreatment.com.