Hyperbaric oxygen
therapy might improve certain pathophysiological findings in autism.
University of Virginia, Department of
Family Medicine, P.O. Box 800729, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
dlross7@hotmail.com
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder
currently affecting as many as 1 out of 166 children in the United States.
Numerous studies of autistic individuals have revealed evidence of cerebral
hypoperfusion, neuroinflammation and gastrointestinal inflammation, immune
dysregulation, oxidative stress, relative mitochondrial dysfunction,
neurotransmitter abnormalities, impaired detoxification of toxins, dysbiosis,
and impaired production of porphyrins. Many of these findings have been
correlated with core autistic symptoms. For example, cerebral hypoperfusion in
autistic children has been correlated with repetitive, self-stimulatory and
stereotypical behaviors, and impairments in communication, sensory perception,
and social interaction. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) might be able to improve
each of these problems in autistic individuals. Specifically, HBOT has been
used with clinical success in several cerebral hypoperfusion conditions and can
compensate for decreased blood flow by increasing the oxygen content of plasma
and body tissues. HBOT has been reported to possess strong anti-inflammatory
properties and has been shown to improve immune function. There is evidence
that oxidative stress can be reduced with HBOT through the upregulation of
antioxidant enzymes. HBOT can also increase the function and production of
mitochondria and improve neurotransmitter abnormalities. In addition, HBOT
upregulates enzymes that can help with detoxification problems specifically
found in autistic children. Dysbiosis is common in autistic children and HBOT can
improve this. Impaired production of porphyrins in autistic children might
affect the production of heme, and HBOT might help overcome the effects of this
problem. Finally, HBOT has been shown to mobilize stem cells from the bone
marrow to the systemic circulation. Recent studies in humans have shown
that stem cells can enter the brain and form new neurons, astrocytes, and
microglia. It is expected that amelioration of these underlying
pathophysiological problems through the use of HBOT will lead to improvements
in autistic symptoms. Several studies on the use of HBOT in autistic children
are currently underway and early results are promising.
PMID:
17141962 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] #HBOT #autism
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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.