Autism & HBOT

Rapid Recovery Hyperbarics
www.hbot4u.com
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Autism and HBOT
There is an estimated 1 to 1.5 million Autistic individuals in the United States. With an annual growth rate of 11-16%, and a 172% increase from the 1990’s, Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in this country. The condition effects communication and social interactions and is the effect of neurological dysfunction. Autism is a spectrum disorder, with varying degrees of impact and is the most common of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). Other disorders in this spectrum range include; Asperger's Syndrome, Rett's Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Not Otherwise Specified Pervasive Development Disorder.Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy used in AutismHyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been utilized to treat Autism in many countries throughout the globe. The rationale behind using hyperbaric for Autism is that the treatments increase cerebral blood flow and thus oxygen is delivered to areas of the brain, which are thought to be oxygen deficient. Greater amounts of blood and oxygen begin to stimulate cerebral tissues and aid in recovery of idling neurons. HBOT also reduces excess fluids and swelling of brain tissues which aid in neurological function.HBOT is also used as a complementary therapy for the treatment of heavy metal detox for such materials as mercury. Hyperbaric assists in the metabolism of heavy metal removal. It can help a patient counteract the effects of heavy metal poisoning and helps body deal with toxins even as noxious as cyanide. It is often used in conjunction with chelation and other detox procedures to help support the body to deal with the impact commonly seen in the removal of heavy metals, mercury, toxins, and other contaminants.Worldwide, medical researchers are discovering promising results with the effects of hyperbaric therapy on persons with Autism.In recent studies, measuring the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on Autistic children ages 1-11 yrs, researchers found a total effectiveness of hyperbaric in 93.6 % of study participants. Researchers theorized that HBOT was effective in combating autoimmunity and the viral aspects of these conditions when encephalitis was present.So the question is- how can hyperbaric help with Autism? Scientists have varying opinions on why the therapy is so successful as a treatment for the condition. Some theories suggest that the brain in some persons with Autism, as well as Cerebral Palsy and other neurological disorders, is lacking oxygen and in a dormant, or sleeping state due to lack of blood flow. Hyperbaric forces oxygen into tissues throughout the body including brain tissues and fluid, resulting in a re-awakening of dormant areas of the brain. Other theories state that excessive swelling in the brain results in a lack of oxygen causing cerebral impairment that can cause behavioral problems, confusion, etc. Oxygen is forced into these damaged areas, through the pressurization of hyperbaric, which alleviates brain swelling by constricting blood vessels. In addition, hyperbaric is thought to provide an optimal environment to assist in the regeneration of brain tissue.