MS

Multiple Sclerosis and HBOT

The number of Americans suffering from the debilitating effects of Multiple Sclerosis is estimated to be a quarter of a million and growing. MS is a central nervous system disease that is thought to be an autoimmune condition generated by a virus, although definite causes are unknown at this time. The condition is characterized as a relapsing and remitting disease that is aggravated by stress and an abnormal immune system, which results in inflammation, damage and hardening of myelin and nerve fibers that typically occurs in the spinal cord, brain stem and optic nerves.

Multiple Sclerosis symptomology includes weakness, severe pain, loss of vision, and extreme pain, which are caused by slowed nerve impulses as a result of damage to the nerves or myelin, which is known as demyelination. Persons with MS also suffer from balance problems, bladder and bowel dysfunction, difficulty walking, vision loss and pain in eyes, depression, neurological dysfunction, spasticity of muscles, and debilitating fatigue.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Extensive international medical research, over the past twenty years, has demonstrated that hyperbaric oxygen therapy will be considered an integral role in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis. In many parts of the world, hyperbaric is considered a key component of an effective MS treatment program. In some countries in Europe, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is covered by insurance and is the main treatment for MS.

Some theories suggest that Multiple Sclerosis could be attributed to a lack of oxygen in the body, resulting in the lesions that appear on the spinal cord of patients undergoing SPECT scans. Regardless of what the causes of MS are, there is irrefutable evidence supporting the treatment of MS patients with hyperbaric oxygen. More and more medical researchers have come to regard hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a potent therapy for the successful treatment of multiple sclerosis without the side effects associated with many pharmaceuticals. Hyperbaric has been shown to reduce pain significantly, modulate the immune system, increase energy, alleviate sleep dysfunction, and reduce cognitive impairment. In most cases, patients are also able to discontinue use of many of their pharmaceuticals. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy raises oxygen levels in the body by up to 1000% through the increased pressure of the HBO chamber. Viruses are unable to survive in the presence of abundant oxygen, therefore a significant “die-off” of viruses and bacteria is experienced when undergoing hyperbaric treatments. Hyperbaric also acts as an immune modulator and allows organ and gland functionality to normalize, reducing many debilitating MS symptoms. Because of the pressurized environment inside the chamber, hyperbaric acts as a detoxifier as well. By forcing oxygen into the tissues through this pressure, toxins, chemicals and other impurities are forced out.

A recent study sited by the New England Journal of Medicine demonstrated compelling evidence of improvements in MS symptomology. Forty chronic Multiple Sclerosis patients, in the advanced stages of the disease, were treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy at 2 ATA for 90 minute sessions. Seventy percent of those treated received relief from the effects of MS after the 20 study treatments. Patients in the study who received the greatest benefit from the hyperbaric were those who had a less severe form of MS, however, because the study consisted of only 20 treatments, the results on more severe MS were not as evident.

Some medical professionals state that the most effective protocol for hyperbaric oxygen on persons with MS is that of lower pressures at 1.5 ATA or below for longer treatment times. #MS #HBOT www.hbot4u.com 909.477.4545