Friday , March 29 2024

The Advances in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy are Growing in Recognition New Studies are Showing Remarkable Results for Brain Injury and PTSD

Undersea Oxygen Clinic

The Advances in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy are Growing in Recognition Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is well known for treating divers with the bends (decompression sickness), as well as wound therapy to facilitate rapid healing, but over the years, numerous studies are showing that HBOT is beneficial for the body and brain on a cellular level for multiple conditions. The groundbreaking research is advancing in support of treating and assisting the healing process with conditions such as brain disorders, PTSD, reducing suicidal thoughts, vascular repair, hearing, autism, autoimmune disease, and multiple other issues.

Oxygen-Rich Blood
Normal Blood Flow: There is 21% oxygen (O2) in the air that we breathe, and our lungs transfer this oxygen to our red blood cells (via hemoglobin).

Restricted Blood Flow: When there is a restriction in blood flow due to surgery, illness, or injury, the red blood cells block the blood vessel and are unable to transfer oxygen to the cells on the other side of the occlusion. This causes swelling and starves the area of oxygen, causing hypoxia (lack of O2); when this occurs, the tissue begins to break down.

Hyperbaric Oxygenation: Breathing 100% oxygen under pressure causes the oxygen to diffuse into the blood plasma. This oxygen-rich plasma is able to travel past the restriction, diffusing up to 3 times further into the tissue. The pressurized environment helps to reduce swelling and discomfort while providing the body with at least 10-15 times its normal supply of oxygen to help repair tissue damaged by the original occlusion or subsequent hypoxic condition.

HBOT directly increases the saturation of tissue oxygenation, slowing and reversing hypoxic induced apoptosis – restoring blood supply to the compromised region by the development of new capillary networks enabling the body to alter the course and impact of the disease process.

This super-saturation of oxygen in the body’s tissues promotes:
• Increased capillary growth
• Increased white blood cell activity / Assists body in fighting infection
• Promotes Tissue Strength / Development
• Speeds Healing
• Reduces Pain
• Reduces Swelling
• Increases Collagen Production
• Reduction in the size of gas bubbles
• Numerous other physiological effects

The saturation impact is so significant that we have experienced patients who come in to repair one aspect of their lives and notice dramatic improvements in something totally unrelated. Many conditions can be aided with the use of HBOT

HBOT: Brain—PTSD—Suicide
We are in the midst of suicide and concussion-epidemics: 20 service members a day commit suicide, 8,000 a year. Another 45 a day try and fail, another 16,000+ a year. CDC estimates between 1.6 million to 3.8 million concussions occur each year.

TBI (Traumatic brain injury) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the U.S., accounting for approximately 2 million emergency room visits annually in the United States. Lack of independence and an inability to work takes a toll not only on the suffering individual but on their family and society. CDD states TBI cost in the USA totaled an estimated $60 billion annually in 2003, NOT including wounded warriors. Right now, soldiers suffering TBI / PTSD are prescribed symptom-reducing drugs; in essence, they warehoused and then discharged, dependent on costly anti-depressants and other anti-psychotic medicines that promote dangerous dependencies and may even result in lethal interactions.

Thirty active-duty or retired military servicemen and women 18 to 65 years of age with one or more mild-to-moderate blast TBIs a minimum of one-year-old participated in the study. They were matched to a control group. HBOT was performed for 60 minutes total dive time, twice a day, with a 3-4 hour surface interval five days a week for 40 HBOTs. After HBOT, 52% of patients no longer met the threshold criteria for the diagnosis of PTSD. Ten of the 12 patients who expressed suicidal ideation prior to the HBOT did not express suicidal thoughts after treatment. One patient had anxiety, which got worse. Of the patients who indicated significant anxiety before treatment, 75% were no longer anxious after treatment. The patients’ abnormal brain blood flow pattern became nearly indistinguishable from the controls after HBOT treatment. Comparison was made using SPECT imaging on 29 matched Controls. Significant improvement (29 subjects) was seen in neurological exam, symptoms, intelligence quotient, memory, measures of attention, dominant hand motor speed and dexterity, quality of life, general anxiety, PTSD, depression (including reduction in suicidal ideation), and reduced psychoactive medication usage. At 6-month follow-up, subjects reported further symptomatic improvement.

HBOT is an effective, ethical, medically safe treatment available for TBI/PTSD. The treatment is showing promise for anyone with brain injury, no matter how the injury is acquired. In some cases, HBOT healed injured brains and subsequently reducing, and in some cases completely alleviating, the symptoms associated with the TBI.

Undersea Oxygen Clinic performs world-class, cutting edge, clinical research. Our Ph.D. staff has authored numerous peer-reviewed research in myriad professional journals advancing the knowledge of the industry. Our staff is often called upon as speakers and lecturers for hyperbaric and hypobaric societies.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently recognizes Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) for 14 medical conditions, all of which are generally covered by insurance.

HBOT may also benefit many other conditions not yet approved by the FDA. The use of HBOT for over 60 medical conditions is approved by other countries around the world and supported by significant, long-standing research.

Treatment for conditions not yet approved by the FDA is generally not covered by insurance and is not available at hospital-based hyperbaric centers. As an independent provider of HBOT, Undersea Oxygen Clinic is able to offer treatments to all who may benefit. Our policy is to accommodate the needs and circumstances of all potential candidates for HBOT. Payment options and financial assistance are available where treatments are not covered by insurance.

To find out more about HBOT and Undersea Oxygen Clinic, please call 813-533-7093 or visit Underseaoxygenclinic.com.

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