Hyperbaric chamber therapy is being used in treating neurological disorders, including brain damage caused by a stroke. For many patients, they have tried different therapies and medications to help improve function after getting a neurological disorder.
Research continues to support the use of hyperbaric chamber therapy. It has many benefits that improve certain conditions in the body, even in the brain.
Hyperbaric chamber treatments are also called hyperbaric oxygen therapy. It is the process of increasing oxygen in the blood through a high-pressure environment, provided by a chamber. The benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy include improving blood vessel development, tissue perfusion, and helping the body to repair damage faster.
When it comes to neurological disorder treatment, blood flow is often part of the problem. Ischemia, which is low or no blood flow, is often the cause of brain disorders and dysfunction. It is also the one of the two main causes of a stroke.
Blood carries all the nutrients to the tissues and oxygen is one of those vital components. Flooding the brain with oxygen during a therapy session is safe and effective. Some people like doing a session just to improve functionality of their brain to work more efficiently.
The reason that hyperbaric chamber therapy works better than supplemental oxygen is the application pressure. By putting a person into a high-pressure chamber, the oxygen levels are forced higher because more oxygen gets into the blood than any other supplemental oxygen therapy.
What to Expect During Hyperbaric Chamber Therapy
When arriving for a neurological disorder treatment, the patient will be made comfortable in a high-pressure chamber. Depending on the severity of the neurological disorder, each session will last 30 minutes to 2 hours and will require multiple sessions.
Side effects are rare, but a doctor will always watch closely to be sure the patient is okay. All the person receiving therapy needs to do is sit and relax, breathing in the oxygen.
Research Supporting Treatment
Using hyperbaric chamber therapy as a neurological disorder treatment is an area that is still undergoing a lot of research. There are positive outcomes being reported that are worth noting.
One study looked at people with Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. The results showed that after receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the patients saw improved functionality. This was attributed to the effects of hyperbaric chamber therapy and its known ability to reduce hypoxia and inflammation. Not only did this show marked improvement in patients, but it also was correlated with higher life expectancy.
Another study compared the effects of traumatic brain injury treatment involving hyperbaric oxygen therapy with traditional treatments. Those who received the hyperbaric oxygen treatment showed a marked improvement on the Glasgow coma scale compared to the control group. Patients with the oxygen therapy also showed overall higher positive outcomes and lower mortality rates. The recommendation of researchers was that adding hyperbaric treatment to traumatic brain injury treatment should be a standard intensive care regimen.
At Aalto Hyperbaric Medical Group, we value scientific evidence and innovation, so we send our doctors to meetings held by the European Underwater and Baromedical Society, Hyperbaric Medicine International Society, Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, American College of Hyperbaric Medicine, and the International Hyperbarics Association every year.
The Process of Starting Therapy
If you are interested in receiving hyperbaric chamber therapy, call us. We would love to help you understand the process and what to expect. One of our staff members can help determine if you are a good candidate and answer any questions about treatment.
Legal Disclaimer
While the studies on the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy suggest promising results for a variety of medical conditions, individual results may vary. There are no guarantees for a specific outcome. HBOT may not be appropriate for every condition or ever individual.
The content information provided within this site are for educational and informational purposes only and not to be considered as medical advice. Please consult with your treating medical physician before pursuing any form of therapy, including Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. In full support of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, off-label Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is considered Investigational and Experimental.
If you are experiencing any kind of medical emergency, always call 911 or your doctor immediately.
Schedule an appointment with us today by calling (310) 507-7942 or using the contact form below.
