Benefits

Healing does not naturally occur without appropriate oxygen levels in living tissues and cells. Inadequate oxygen levels are often the common denominator for many illnesses and injuries that fail to heal. The lack of oxygen is often as a result of inflammation, swelling, and reduced blood flow. This means adequate oxygen is unable to reach damaged areas. Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (mHBOT) provides increased oxygen under pressure, which affords this extra oxygen to tissues and cells with minimal side effects. mHBOT very adequately treats the cumulative wounds of life (aging) effectively reversing the condition of oxygen deficit (hypoxia)

Many physiological effects of mHBOT are on record, with an ever-growing list of benefits being proven as this modality continues to provide evidence of its healing properties. Recent studies have shown that there is more evidence of physiologic changes being evidenced. We have highlighted 9 PHYSIOLOGICAL effects of mHBOT
 

1. Decrease in inflammation even with vasoconstriction

The Increased levels of oxygen cause a decrease in local nitric oxide (NO) production by endothelial cells, thereby leading to vasoconstriction. Short-term hyperoxia causes cerebral vasoconstriction and reduced blood flow. However, even with reduced blood flow, more oxygen is delivered to the cerebrum as a result of the hyperoxic state.

2. Increased oxygenation of mitochondria

Increased oxygenation results in reactivation of energy producing Mitochondria that may have the potential to activate dysfunctional idling cells due to hypoxia.

3. Decrease in bacteria load

HBOT has been shown to decrease abnormal bacteria/yeast in the gut.

4. Up-regulation of key antioxidant enzymes and decreasing oxidative stress

Patients have been shown to have decreased oxidative stress and an increase in active glutathione, one of the body’s most important antioxidants.

5. Osteogenesis

Hyperoxia promotes the differentiation of bone-forming cells and promotes bone repair and regrowth.

6. Decreasing levels of inflammatory biochemicals

C-reactive protein and high levels of cytokines have been shown to decrease with HBOT.

7. Angiogenesis

Increased oxygenation results in regeneration of damaged blood capillaries in wounds and distressed tissues.

8. Increased production and utilization of serotonin

Abnormities in the autistic brain whereby it does not produce or use serotonin properly. HBOT can work like an anti-depressant by increasing brain serotonin levels.

9. Increases in stem cells production

in bone marrow with transfer to the CNS: Studies have shown that HBOT increases the production of stem cells in bone marrow and that transfer of stem cells to the CNS is possible.
 
Another main physiological effect of oxygen relates to vasoconstriction. Increased levels of oxygen cause a decrease in local nitric oxide (NO) production by endothelial cells, thereby leading to vasoconstriction. Conversely, increased levels of carbon dioxide, the byproduct of respiration, promote NO production and vasodilation. This is especially important as it relates to cerebral blood flow as short-term hyperoxia causes cerebral vasoconstriction and reduced blood flow. However, even with reduced blood flow, more oxygen is delivered to the cerebrum as a result of the hyperoxic state. Additionally, hyperoxia has also been shown to decrease cerebral edema, although the mechanisms behind this are still not well understood and further studies are needed to characterize this proposed phenomenon. Applications of these effects have some promise in acute brain injury.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy improves the quality of life of the patient in multiple areas where regular medicine seems to be ineffective.  Conditions such as stroke, cerebral palsy, head injuries, and chronic fatigue have responded favourably to mHBOT.

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