Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has gained wide popularity as a treatment for a number of medical conditions. It has also been used as an alternative treatment for several health conditions where conventional medicine has been unable to provide any significant benefits. HBOT involves breathing of 100% oxygen within a chamber, called hyperbaric chamber, in which the atmospheric pressure is controlled and increased. Normally, oxygen transportation within the body takes place through red blood cells.  With Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, oxygen dissolves in all fluids of the body, fluids of central nervous system, the plasma, the bone, and the lymph, and oxygen can be carried to the areas with blocked or reduced circulation.  HBOT improves the natural healing process of the body.

1. What Benefits does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Provide?

There is a long list of benefits that are retrieved from Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. It has been largely observed and witnessed that most of the injuries and health issues take place at the tissue or cellular level.  The children who are affected by autism have a high degree of inflammation. Throwing light on the above-mentioned statement, it has been represented in clinical data that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy helps in decreasing the inflammation and renews blood flow and oxygen in the areas which are deeply affected. This also includes the affected areas of the brain. The parents and caregivers of the individuals who are suffering from autism may want to know  that this particular therapy also helps in the following aspects:

• Speech
• Improving the functioning as a whole
• Eye contact scores

Furthermore, there are a lot of statistics that also show that HBOT also reduces irritability and inflammatory markers that consist of C –reactive protein levels and TNF-alpha.

2. What Conditions are Treated by Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

There are a lot of conditions that are treated by this therapy. The following conditions are considered by Medicare and Insurance for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, for coverance by payment:

• Gas Gangrene
• Osteoradionecrosis and Radiation Tissue Damage
• Thermal Burns
• Blood Loss which is also known as Anemia
• Selected wounds and diabetes
• Traumatic Ischemia’s and Compartment Syndrome

There are also several conditions which are unfortunately not covered by Medicare and insurance, but HBOT has been reported to be beneficial in treating them:

• Multiple Sclerosis
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Migraine
• Injuries caused by sports

3. What are the Different Types of Chambers?

There are two kinds of chambers – multiplace and monoplace. The monoplace chambers are designed for holding one person at a time and the oxygen is directly delivered by the mask. On the other hand, multiplace chambers are created for treating multiple people at a time with 100% pressurized oxygen.

4. Does HBOT have any Side Effects?

When Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is recommended by a physician, then it is performed under absolutely strict medical supervision by qualified medical practitioners. Although HBOT is largely a safe therapy, however, like all medical treatments, there are some slight risks associated with it. One of the side effects that may occur is barotrauma caused solely by the change in pressure in the ears.

HBOT is still under study by scientists and researchers. They are trying to find out the therapy’s beneficial effects on various medical conditions. Once enough evidence is found on this ground, HBOT may be established as a viable treatment as well as alternative treatment for several health issues.

Reference : http://www.generationrescue.org/latest-news/autism-treatment-breakdown-hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-hbot/

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