Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy - Treating Traumatic Brain Injuries
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is the use of oxygen at higher than atmospheric pressure for the treatment of various diseases. During an HBOT treatment, 100% O2 is breathed into a pressurized chamber. Essentially, the goal of this therapy is to fill the blood with enough oxygen to repair tissues and restore normal body function. This therapeutic modality dates back to the 1930s when it was first used for the treatment of decompression illness in divers.
Today, there are 13 FDA-approved uses for HBOT, including decompression illness, air embolism, osteomyelitis, and most recently - diabetic ulcers. The medical community has also identified some other conditions that respond to HBOT that are especially interesting to my practice: Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS).
HOW HBOT WORKS
By bringing oxygen-rich plasma to tissues starved for oxygen, HBOT helps the wound healing process. Wound injuries damage the body's blood vessels, which release fluid that leaks into the tissues and causes swelling, depriving the damaged cells of oxygen. The higher pressure in the chamber increases the amount of oxygen in the blood which reduces swelling, oxygen starvation, and tissue death.
When used in a therapeutic setting where oxygen is “pulsed” for an hour - a hyper-oxygenated state can bring about a number of healing processes: a powerful anti-inflammatory effect, reduction of edema, increased blood perfusion, angiogenesis, stimulation of the immune system, and even mobilization of stem cells from bone marrow.
HBOT AND TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND POST-CONCUSSION SYNDROME
Many in the research and medical field believe that HBOT can provide positive outcomes for people suffering from Traumatic Brain Injuries and post-concussion syndrome.
Traumatic Brain Injury typically results from a violent blow or repeated, more mild blows to the head or body. There is a wide range of TBIs: mild traumatic brain injury potentially has a temporary effect on brain cells and more serious instances can result in bruising, bleeding, and other physical damage to the brain. These injuries can result in long-term complications such as mood changes, depression, and other cognitive changes (i.e. decreased ability to focus).
Post-concussion syndrome is a complex disorder in which various symptoms last for weeks and sometimes months after the injury that caused the concussion. These symptoms are often reported after a mild TBI and can include headache, dizziness, cognitive impairment, and psychological problems. Despite significant clinical evidence of post-concussion syndrome - there is debate within the medical community as to the definition - or even the existence - of this disorder.
While not unified in their support of HBOT for treating TBI and PCS, the scientific and medical communities have conducted some studies that point to positive results. According to one article, “HBOT has been demonstrated to have neuroprotective effects without increased oxygen toxicity in experimental TBI models ...The improved tissue oxygenation and cellular metabolism, anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis, and promoting neurogenesis and angiogenesis may constitute the multiple and complementary mechanisms underlying HBOT-induced neuroprotection.”
An article in Psychiatric Times stated that “HBOT can repair neurological damage even decades after an injury, bringing macroscopic areas of cortex back ‘online.’ The changes in the patient’s functioning and demeanor were striking, and clinically there was no doubt about the magnitude of the response.”
More long-term and comprehensive studies are needed for a clear conclusion to be drawn about HBOT’s effectiveness for brain injuries. The mechanism has proven effective, but standardization as far as treatment needs to take place before this approach to treating TBI and PCS becomes more widely accepted and available.
Some of my patients have had profound improvements following HBOT therapy - including almost total resolution of PCS. One patient of mine, a former professional snowboarder suffering from PCS, employed HBOT therapy, and her depression, mood changes, and irritability all disappeared. So, I am hopeful that treatments like HBOT soon become regularly offered to TBI and PCS patients.
I’d be happy to tell you more about hyperbaric oxygen therapy as well as answer any questions you have about its applications. Just give the office a call at 425-970-8568.
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