I have blogged extensively on hyperbaric oxygen therapy before, but wanted to answer some of the recent questions. First a review of how HBOT works.

The air we breath is approximately 21% oxygen (depending on how polluted it is). Air in an HBOT chamber ranges from 92-100% oxygen, depending on how pressurized it is. “hard” chambers (the kind you see them using for the men they rescue out of mines) pressurize up to 2.5 ATAs and are 100% oxygen. Mild HBOT chambers (soft-sided) pressurize to 1.3 or 1.5 ATAs and deliver 92-95% oxygen.

When your body is in a pressurized atmosphere of more oxygen, it increases the amount of oxygen in your blood stream that can circulate throughout your body. Oxygen promotes healing and reduces inflammation. It increases the white blood cells ability to fight off bacteria and other toxins (thus reducing inflammation).

So, HBOT has been shown to be an effective treatment for a variety of illnesses and disorders. But what about autism and other neurological based disorders?

Well, the FDA hasn’t approved the use of HBOT for much. (And, by the way, HBOT is considered a drug and needs to be prescribed by a doctor.) But then doctors prescribe lots of medications for off-label uses. The FDA has approved it for smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning, some acute physical traumas, wound healing and excessive blood loss.

Many doctors are prescribing it for strokes, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, Crohn’s disease…and autism. These doctors understand the role of inflammation in many of these disorders (including inflammation in the brain).

But the two questions readers have asked lately are how I believe it works and what happens to me inside that chamber. So, here goes.

Based on all I’ve read about HBOT, I believe that in LuLu’s case it is either growing new neurons or infusing her brain tissue with oxygen and reducing inflammation in areas that have not been working properly. Each time we’ve done a segment of 20 sessions, we’ve seen a “brightening” of her cognitively. Her language center seems to improve in some way. First it was understanding song lyrics. This time it is reading silently.

There’s scientific evidence that the oxygen will also reduce inflammation in the GI tract, and help those issues as well, which is the reason that we embarked on this latest round (since we haven’t gotten rid of her stomach pain, especially after she eats). So far, there may be some lessening of that. I’m remiss in not counting each and every time she complains of stomach pain, and I know, because of her tendency toward obsession, that asking her after every meal if her stomach hurts will only prompt her to think about it (and worry about it) more.

What about me? Well, the first time we did this, I had some minor surgery during our treatment time. The wound healed incredibly fast. I have no way of knowing how fast it would have healed otherwise. But the surgeon commented on how quickly it had healed. It also had a negative effect on one of my ears, as we did a session when I had congestion (and we probably shouldn’t have). It is much like flying in a pressurized airplane cabin.

Some moms have reported improvements in their eyesight. Unfortunately, I’m not one of them. I did, these last 20 session, experience a slight return in some peri-menopausal symptoms that had gone away. Who is to say whether this would have happened with or without the HBOT?

For those thinking about this as a treatment possibility, you really do need a doctor versed in this treatment to prescribe it. And you need to consider taking vitamins and antioxidants (both you and your child) to help with any oxidative stress issues. Doctors are still debating on whether HBOT increases or decreases oxidative stress, but most will recommend that you increase your antioxidants – things like Vitamins C and E, and Co-Q10.

Interview with Dr. Dan Rossignol

How Does HBOT Work?

Hyperbaric Medical Center of New Mexico

HBOT and Autism

Photo Credit