Autism
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.
While the cause of Autism is unknown at this time, there
are many theories as to the source of the condition. Some medical professionals claim that the Autism is caused by a
state of hypoxia, or lack of oxygen to areas of the brain. Others state that the condition was due to a
high fever or infection, trauma during birth, mineral or other nutritional
deficiencies, vaccination reactions, mercury poisoning, chemical exposures, or
abnormal blood flow in the brain. While
there is currently no cure for Autism, researchers are investigating new and
revolutionary means of treating the condition with promising results.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy used in Autism
Hyperbaric 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 and a less confused state
in Autistics.
Hyperbaric 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 one
study, involving brain functionality and recovery for children with chemical
exposures exhibiting PDD disorders, hyperbaric oxygen therapy was found to be
remarkably effective. Treatments consisted of 10 sessions in a hyperbaric
chamber at 1.3 ATA, for one hour per day, five consecutive days for two
weeks. To increase validity to the
study results, SPECT scans of each patient’s brain were taken before and after
the hyperbaric treatments to quantify physical changes to the brain
tissue. The SPECT scan showed an
increase to blood flow and oxygen to the temporal lobe. SPECT scans of patients
taken before hyperbaric treatments showed a significant amount of dormant
activity while scans taken of patient brains after hyperbaric indicated an
increase in brain activity and blood flow.
After hyperbaric therapy, dormant brain regions were replaced with
greater functioning tissues and represented a scan more similar to a healthy
individual.
In another recent study,
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.
Clinical
Studies and Articles on Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Autism:
·
Autism is treatable: Townsend
Letter
·
A New Method of Treating Brain
Injured Children in a Barochamber
·
Treatment of Neurologically Impaired
Adults and Children with mHBOT
·
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy might
improve certain pathophysiological findings in autism
·
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may
improve symptoms in autistic children
·
Medical Study- Hyperbaric Oxygen
Therapy for Autism
·
Hyperbaric Oxygenation can repair
and restore damaged brain
·
Hyperbaric Oxygen Report on Autism
·
Autism Treated With Hyperbaric
Oxygen Treatments from MUMS
·
Clinical Study: Mild Hyperbarics
for Impaired Brain Function
·
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT),
Autism, Aspartame and Mercury- Interview Dr Stoller
·
Hyperbaric oxygen chambers treating
autism in Lower Hudson Valley
·
Vaccinations, Autism and
Hyperbarics
·
Advance Cover Story on Autism
·
Case Studies- Treating Autistic Spectrum Disorder with
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Testimonials
and Case Studies Utilizing HBOT for Autism
·
An 8 year old suffering from autism, had difficulty
acknowledging others, verbalizing and following instruction, never showed signs
of play or imagination while interacting with toys. He was often difficult to
handle due to uncontrolled behavior. He
was treated with mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy for
60 minutes a day, in a portable hyperbaric … click
to read the case study
·
A 10 year old male, was a high functioning autistic with good verbal skills,
but was difficult to engage and had constant tantrums. He had difficulty with his behavior at
school with completing assignments, acting out, loss of focus and extreme mood
swings. He began treatment with a mild hyperbaric chamber in the home … click to read the case study
· A 16
year old diagnosed with Autism displayed aggressive behavior, difficulty
communicating, and trouble with completing tasks due to his frustration. He had difficulty with friendships, and
frequently showed hostility toward his sister and brother. He showed extreme allergies
to chemicals and some foods and had infrequent bowel movements. Greg was treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy daily for an hour inside a
portable chamber. … click to read the case study
We are committed to providing information on cutting
edge medical therapies for developments in both conventional and alternative
medicine. This information is provided
by, HBOTreatment.com and does not constitute a medical recommendation. It is
intended for informational purposes only.