Central Florida Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles of the Villages
Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia and unfortunately, we all know someone that has been diagnosed with the disease and the devastating effects of losing not only memory, but the “wholeness” of the individual can be overwhelming. Nearly 5.2 million Americans have some form of dementia, and that number is expected to triple by 2050. Experts estimate that an Alzheimer’s diagnosis will affect close to 15 million people by mid-century.
When oxygen and blood can’t reach the brain, the brain cells begin to die very rapidly. Oxygen is the critical element of every cell in our body. Our bodies take in oxygen, and our bloodstream begins to flood our tissues and organs with oxygen-rich blood. Researchers are finding that increasing the supply of oxygen to a patient’s damaged brain areas can reduce and alleviate brain damage by reducing inflammation and regenerating brain matter.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that delivers 100% oxygen to a patient’s pulmonary system while they are within a pressurized chamber. This saturation of oxygen allows high-levels of life-sustaining oxygen to be delivered to the tissues and organs. This increase of the partial pressure of oxygen at the cellular level accelerates the healing processes and assists in the recovery from numerous indications.
HBOT, Alzheimer’s Case Study
Dr. Paul Harch, and Dr. Edward Fogarty of LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine and the University of North Dakota School of Medicine, have the first documented case via Pet Scan that shows remarkable results in reversing Alzheimer’s disease with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.1
A 58-year old female patient with diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease via SPECT tomography and PET brain imaging, who was progressing and experiencing rapid cognitive decline, was treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy for 66 days. She received treatments 5 days per week for a total of 40 treatments at 1.15 atmosphere absolute/50 minutes total treatment time.1
After 21 HBOTs the patient reported increased energy/activity level, mood, and ability to draw a correct clock face, perform activities of daily living, and work crossword puzzles. Rivastigmine patch was started and discontinued after one week due to ineffectiveness (patient report). At completion of 40 HBOTs patient reported increased memory and concentration, sleep, conversation, appetite, ability to use the computer, more good days (5/7) than bad days, resolved anxiety, and decreased disorientation and frustration. Tremor, deep knee bend, tandem gain, and motor speed were improved. Repeat 18FDG PET imaging one month post HBOT showed global 6.5–38% improvement in brain metabolism.1
Many patients have tried HBOT for various disorders and disease states, and the majority of them will give glowing reviews for disease reversal and regression. There are no guarantees and off-label use is at the person’s personal discretion. Individuals wanting to explore HBOT have the right to do so, although results are always based on a patient’s overall health, physical condition, and other medical factors.
Hyperbaric Centers of Florida is a premier hyperbaric treatment facility located in the Tampa Bay area. Their state-of-the-art hyperbaric clinic provides therapy to outpatients on a 7-day per week basis, closing only on major holidays.
Currently, There Are 15 FDA Approved HBOT Conditions:
• Air or Gas Embolism
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
• Compromised Skin Grafts or Flaps
• Crush Injury, Compartment Syndrome
Decompression Sickness (Bends)
• Diabetic & Other Non-healing Wounds
• Enhancement of Healing in Selected Problem Wounds
• Exceptional Anemia: Resulting of Bleeding
• Gas Gangrene
• Intracranial Abscess
• Osteomyelitis
• Radiation Injury
• Refractory Osteomyelitis
• Thermal Burns
• Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
HBOT is used “off-label” for various disease states and disorders and HBOT may be ordered by a physician for off-label indications. Hyperbaric Centers of Florida makes no claims as to the efficacy for any indications other than the fifteen approved by FDA.
Common Off-Label Indications:
• Autism
• Brain Injury
• Bells Palsy
• Cerebral Palsy
• Cosmetic Surgery
• Infections
• Inflammations
• Lyme Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Nerve Injuries
• Oral Disease
• Peripheral Neuropathy
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Scleroderma
• Shingles
• Severe Migraines
• Sports Injury
• Stroke
• Tendon Injuries
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Venomous snake and spider bites
To find out more, or to schedule your appointment today, please call Hyperbaric Centers of Florida at 813-788-3969 or visit www.hyperbariccentersofflorida.com
