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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
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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
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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.
Researchers in another study testing the effects of
hyperbaric on the T and B lymphocytes of Multiple Sclerosis patients tested
patients suffering with the condition on an average of more than 9 years.
Ninety percent of patients tested demonstrated immune modulation after
hyperbaric treatments. 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. Some
studies suggest that pressures of 1.5 ATA or below are most beneficial in
correcting immune imbalances and pressures at higher levels can have a
negative impact on the immune system.
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A study
performed by Dr. Gunnar Heuser, M.D., PhD., FACP, Toxic Exposure
Specialist, revealed that just 10 treatments with mild hyperbaric therapy
resulted in enhanced short term memory and balance, as well as a decrease
in headaches for those with diminished brain function.
The study was comprised of patients who
suffered from brain function impairment due to chemical, pesticide and
other toxic exposures. Patient
symptoms prior to treatment included deficient cerebral function such as memory loss, inability
to balance as well as attention deficit disorder.
The 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.
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SPECT,
or Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography measures brain activity and
is performed by injecting the patient with a
radioactive material which is distributed in the various regions of the
brain. The scan depicts blood flow
to regions of the brain via a three dimensional computerized color image of
the scanned brain.
MRI
scans were also performed on all patients and revealed only loss of
function to various brain cells rather than actual death of these cells.
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SPECT
scans illustrate healthy brain function primarily in yellow, where green
demonstrates a lack of oxygen and blood flow, and the darker areas and
colors blue and violet indicate a visible reduction in blood flow and
oxygen in the region.
The SPECT
scan showed an increase to blood flow and oxygen to the temporal lobe,
which is the area of the brain, which controls short term memory. SPECT scans of patients taken before
hyperbaric treatments showed a significant amount of dormant activity
represented by the darker, blue and violet areas of the scan while scans
taken of patient brains after hyperbaric indicated an increase in brain
activity and blood flow. Dormant
brain regions were replaced with a greater functioning tissues and
represented a scan more similar to a healthy individual.
For more information on hyperbaric therapy or to read the
complete study, visit www.HBOTreatment.com
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