Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
by
Dr. Rodney Soto
Oxygen,
the element in air and water, is needed by every living organism. Without
oxygen, our tissues die within minutes. A diminished supply of oxygen causes
multiple symptoms with marked reduction in all bodily functions. This condition
is known as hypoxia or under-oxygenation
of tissues.
Hyperbaric
Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is the
therapeutic use of oxygen for conditions in which organ tissues have been
damaged due to oxygen deprivation. We normally breathe oxygen at regular
atmospheric pressure (0.9 ATM) at sea level. During HBOT, higher pressures are
used in order to deliver oxygen deeply into the tissues (1.3 to 3.0 ATMs).
“Hyper”
means increased and “baric” means pressure. That is exactly what HBOT
accomplishes. When oxygen is under pressure, it becomes a potent healing tool
and promotes tissue repair, regeneration and changes at the cellular level,
including stimulation of the DNA. It provides the body with extra oxygen at
higher pressures, making it possible for oxygen to reach inflamed tissue and support
optimal cellular and organ functionality. HBOT’s applications range from
healing wounds to repairing damaged brain tissue. It has also been found to
have profound effects in the reversal of many diseases of aging.
The
common denominator of many disease states is the presence of low oxygen in the
tissues and the development of secondary injury due to an inflammatory reaction
because of trauma, toxin or infection. By delivering higher oxygen at higher
pressure, HBOT treats the secondary damage and restores the function of the
affected tissues. HBOT treatment is a holistic therapy that benefits the whole person
as the oxygen is delivered to every cell and organ in the body.
HBOT
has been in use since the early 1900s and later implemented by the military to
treat deep sea divers who suffered from decompression illness. Since then, over
10,000 clinical trials and case studies have been completed for numerous other
health-related applications with the vast majority of results reporting
resounding success.
While
the current covered indications by government or commercial insurances for HBOT
are limited to diabetic wound healing, carbon monoxide intoxication, acute limb
ischemia, gas embolism and some severe bone infections, the benefits of HBOT go
far beyond these familiar uses. HBOT has multiple benefits, including but not
limited to powerful anti-inflammatory effects; speeding up tissue healing;
anti-microbial; enhanced brain repair; promoting new blood vessel growth;
normalizing immune function; and increasing stem cell proliferation.
HBOT
is performed inside a hyperbaric chamber for an hour a day. Each hour session
is referred to as a “dive”. Best responses are obtained with completion of
about 30 to 40 treatments due to its cumulative effect resulting in permanent tissue
changes. Most chambers available for clinical use are mono-place and
accommodate one patient at a time. There are basically two chamber types. Hard
shell chambers can be regulated to achieve higher atmospheric pressures between
1.3 to 3.0 ATMs, while soft chambers can only reach 1.3 ATMs. Your physician
will prescribe the right therapeutic pressure according to your condition.
A
therapeutic intervention, non-invasive and safe with virtually no side effects,
HBOT has one possible short-term discomfort—ear pain or sinus pressure—similar
to what is experienced when ascending or descending in an airplane. This can be
helped by performing chewing or swallowing movements.
Today,
HBOT is being more utilized by holistic and natural practitioners for many
other indications. It has become apparent that the use of pressurized oxygen
has a wide range of beneficial effects for several chronic illnesses. For the
diagnoses mentioned below, generally referred to as “off-label” diagnoses,
reimbursement is not usually provided by most insurance carriers and patients
incur the cost as an out-of-pocket expense. Similar to many other non-covered
holistic treatment modalities, the benefits of HBOT can be viewed as an
investment in your health that cannot be obtained with the traditional
approach.
HBOT
is not a cure-all for human illness; it must be utilized in the right context
and timing and guided by a knowledgeable practitioner. Neither is it a therapy
given in isolation. Ideally, the patient must undergo a thorough evaluation and
testing prior to its implementation. It does not replace other treatments for a
specific condition but rather complements them and adds healing power to other
therapies.
The
following are conditions in which HBOT can be very helpful:
Alzheimer’s
disease
Multiple sclerosis
Parkinson’s disease
Lyme disease
Fibromyalgia
Traumatic brain injury
Autism spectrum disorders
Strokes
Diabetes and cardiac disease
Joint replacement, arthritis and bone remodeling
Anti-aging
Birth injuries and cerebral palsy
In conclusion, HBOT is an innovative, safe and effective intervention for many chronic medical conditions. It can enhance the effect of other healing treatments and result in significant clinical improvement.
LifeWorks Wellness Center is pleased to announce the addition of HBOT to their list of services on offer. LifeWorks is located at 301 Turner St., Clearwater. For more information, call 727-466-6789 or visit LifeworksWellnessCenter.com.
Dr. Rodney Soto has his practice at LifeWorks, and is board certified in Neurology and Holistic Medicine by the American Board of Holistic and Integrative Medicine and a member of the Institute for Functional Medicine and board certified in Anti-Aging Medicine.
