What is hyperbaric oxygen and does it really work?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is designed to boost the supply of oxygen to ischemic tissue or to diseased tissues that respond to increased oxygen levels.
Our son had been progressing nicely but at a very slow pace when I ran into a physician at the hospital who spoke of hyperbaric oxygen treatment. He had claimed that his father had suffered a severe stroke and after conventional intervention had been returned home to his family.
He lay motionless for over three years. Dr. Baker had heard that there was a center in Fort Lauderdale that used hyperbaric oxygen to treat brain injury and he was all for flying his father across the country in hopes of helping him recover some of the losses he had suffered since the stroke.
The trip was planned and Dr. Baker flew with his father to Florida. There they stayed for three months receiving oxygen with a oxygen mask every other day for the duration.
Our conversation ended with Dr. Baker telling me that his father had recovered so well that he could now interact with his grandchildren. That was all I had to hear.
As quick as I could I began learning about HBOT and putting into action a plan for my son to begin his therapy. I spoke to his doctor’s about the treatment and of course they demanded case studies which I produced. I then was permitted to take my son out. I found several alarming factors:
By placing someone in a 3 psi pressure environment, the increase in atmospheric pressure at sea level goes from 760 mm Hg to 915 mm Hg.
This increase in gas pressure, increases the partial pressure of the oxygen gas and thus forces more oxygen to be dissolved in the plasma. This saturation of oxygen in the blood allows the extra oxygen to be transported to the surrounding body tissues. Thus, oxygen transport by plasma is significantly increased under HBOT. At three atmospheres pressure, enough oxygen can be dissolved in the plasma to support the oxygen demands of the body at rest in the absence of hemoglobin!
After many due diligence calls and finding a convenient center I arranged for our first of many sessions. We were charged a very decent rate of $70.00 per 1/2 hour compared to some quotes of $230.00 per 1/2 hour.
The first session went well as we squeezed our son into a mono chamber with a oxygen mask loosely fitting against his trach.
His spasticity seemed less after hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
No other real changes were noticeable. We continued taking him three times a week for 120 sessions. He slowly improved. “Was this due to hyperbaric oxygen or just progress?” We questioned.
We found more concerns but realize that the different centers and their chambers, methods of administration all play in the role of treatment.
Did it work? Our son continued to progress and the brain activity when measured with neurofeedback did display more brain wave activity. After each session he seemed to experience more energy and cognition.
As for my opinion of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. I’d probably do it again if faced with the decision.
March 9th, 2009 at 3:36 am
[...] use of health care approaches to replace conventional medicine. These types of approaches include oxygen,chiropractic, naturopathy, and homeopathy medicine, among [...]