Cognitive disabilities comprising of the likes of autism and other congenital illnesses like cerebral palsy are major medical syndromes that can be treated with the help of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Through the utilization of hyperbaric, oxygen-rich chambers. the medical researchers have discovered a new means to restore the neurological function of the brain. The neurological function of the brain can be lost due to the occurrence of various illnesses or accidents like stroke, trauma, and severe brain injuries.
The HBOT therapy is an excellent alternative treatment for combating ASD in kids. Inside the Hyperbaric chamber, the individual suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD is made to inhale 100 percent pure oxygen.
Pure Oxygen Breathes New Life into the Neurons
As mentioned in the case study of a two-year-old girl suffering from brain injury, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can go a long way in healing the damaged brain tissues. Moreover, the two-year-old girl experienced cardiac arrest and the MRI scan presented essential facts in the form of cerebral atrophy and gray matter injury. She lost the ability to communicate and respond to commands. Eventually, the attending doctors decided to put her in the hyperbaric chamber so that brain damage can be reversed.
Ultimately, this step bore the expected results, and the girl started to respond. In this context, it is important to note that as per medical researchers, there are various types of brain injuries. Neurons that have been affected by metabolic dysfunction can stay alive but lose the ability to transmit signals. The ten-fold supply of oxygen during the HBOT therapy helps in the rebuilding of neurons. It also stimulates inactive neurons so that the healing process gets faster.
It Is a Prospective Way of Treatment for Prevention
By placing patients inside oxygen-rich chambers, the medical researchers are of the view that brain injuries and strokes that have taken place more than two decades ago can be treated with this therapy. Hence, it belies the concept that brain cells have a limited healing time for change and development. Currently, the medical researchers are conducting a new study on the positive effects of oxygen therapy on patients who are suffering from traumatic brain injuries.
In this context, it is important to note that this therapy also has the potential to emerge as an anti-aging therapy. Hence, it is applicable to other disorders such as vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. With the emergence of HBOT, it has now come to the fore that a majority of brain-related illnesses exists due to an inefficient supply of energy to the brain.
HBOT Can Treat Cerebral Palsy
HBOT therapy can handle a wide variety of brain diseases apart from ASD in kids and grownups. In recent years, a lot of advanced medicines and drugs have been developed to treat cerebral palsy, but their side effects are dangerous to the equal proportions. Let’s take the case of one-year-old Alex who is a patient with cerebral palsy and seizures. As Alex was vulnerable to seizures, his parents did not feel assured that he can be treated with regular medicines. On the other hand, the doctors prescribed drugs for the seizures and told his parents that Alex’s condition would worsen further without medication.
However, they decided to opt for alternative treatment and found out that HBOT would be their best option. Moreover, HBOT is quite expensive but irrespective of this fact they decided to make sure that Alex receives continual oxygen treatment in the hyperbaric chamber. Over a period of more than two months, this oxygen therapy was administered to Alex, and positive results were observed. Now, Alex does not experience any seizures and responds to command like any other average kid. He has also become more alert, and in coming years, he is all set to be fit and reasonable like the other kids.
HBOT Can Also Treat Seizure Disorders
It is important to note that HBOT Therapy can also treat seizure disorders. Let’s take the age of Daniel who was a patient with the seizure disorder as well as autism. In this context, it is important to note that conventional medical drugs further worsened the condition of Daniel and hence his parents embarked on finding out an alternative mode of treatment. After a large number of consultations with various pediatricians, Daniel was finally put on HBOT.
He was undergoing hyperbaric sessions once a week. After the completion of HBOT that lasted for a month, vast improvements were noticed on the health condition of Daniel. He now cycles by his own and can carry out his daily chores by himself which was once a rarity. Hence, HBOT has again proved to be successful in treating seizure disorders.
Although HBOT is an alternative mode of treatment, the case as mentioned above highlights its importance. This treatment is regarded as a ray of hope by a large number of parents who have lost confidence on the traditional modes of treatment.
References:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170717110422.htm
https://www.rehabmart.com/post/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-success-stories
https://medium.com/@chloepaltrow/success-stories-of-hyperbaric-chamber-to-treat-autism-c1e5077726a6
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/01/130123144218.htm
