If you have ever sprained an ankle, broken a bone, contracted strep throat, or even just stubbed your toe on a piece of furniture – you know what inflammation is. Inflammation is a very normal immune response that occurs when your body detects an infection or injury. It can be an annoying side effect that makes you feel swollen and sore, but it’s not always bad for you—sometimes it’s actually beneficial!

When injuries occur, swelling and redness are important signals to the immune system to heal and repair damaged tissue – as well as defend itself against foreign invaders (viruses and bacteria). Without the process of inflammation, wounds could fester and infections could become worse and, potentially, deadly.

Alternatively, if inflammation becomes systemically chronic it can play a role in the development of a multitude of diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, endocarditis, strokes, type 2 diabetes, and even traumatic brain injuries. Many patients try traditional treatments such as anti-inflammatory diets or over-the-counter supplements. When it’s more persistent, they can also ask their physicians for prescription medications. Unfortunately, these methods of treatment are not always successful.

How does HBOT Alleviate Inflammation? 

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing 100% pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. The air pressure is increased to three times higher than standard air pressure. Under these conditions, a patient’s lungs, blood, and tissues can gather an increased amount of oxygen than would be possible even in an outdoor setting. 

Your body’s tissues need an ample amount of oxygen to function. When an injury occurs, an increase in oxygen is required to improve blood flow and stimulate the healing process. Because of HBOT’s ability to increase the amount of oxygen your blood can carry, it can have tremendous healing capabilities – especially towards the inflammatory response.

Studies have demonstrated the benefits of HBOT for inflammation with the following:

• supporting the anti-inflammatory process at the cellular level
• reducing neuroinflammation
• reducing the number and severity of migraine
• decreases in gastrointestinal inflammation
• relief of soft tissue/joint inflammation
• preventing the onset of chronic inflammatory-related diseases. 

Traumatic Brain Injuries & Alzheimer’s Disease

Traumatic Brain Injuries

While the primary damage in a traumatic brain injury occurs from immediate physical and mechanical forces (such as brain contusions, hemorrhages, hematomas, and axonal injuries), the secondary damage (excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, and widespread neuroinflammation) develops hours and days after. Because of the synergistic nature between primary and secondary damage, post-injury recovery is detrimental – particularly targeting the brain’s immune response. Furthermore, neurological diseases are one of the leading causes of disability and death worldwide due to the limited, effective treatments that are currently available.  Nevertheless, an accumulative amount of evidence points towards Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for its neuroprotective effects. One study shows that these beneficial effects have been largely attributed to anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties(prevention of cellular death). Additionally, the improvement of oxygen supply & neural metabolism along with stimulation of autophagy was also found to be promising. 

Alzheimer’s Disease

While scientists have observed neuroinflammation in people with Alzheimer’s before, studies increasingly determine its critical role in the development of the disease. In fact, one article discusses the increasing evidence of CNS inflammation and systemic inflammation driving the initiation and progression of Alzheimer’s Disease. The author makes notes that systemic inflammation has disruptive effects on the blood-brain barrier integrity. This leads to the diffusion of peripheral inflammatory factors, further inducing changes in the brain associated with an increased cognitive decline. In spite of this, another study aimed to prove Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy would be a beneficial and safe, alternative therapy for those with Alzheimer’s Disease. They determined that HBOT could improve cognitive function and enhance the activities of daily living after just 1 month.

Endocarditis & Strokes

Endocarditis is defined as inflammation of the inner lining of the heart’s chambers and valves. This is a life-threatening condition usually caused by an infection. One review discussed the anti-inflammation properties produced by Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, demonstrating its significant role in decreasing tissue damage and infection expansion. They found that HBOT promotes the healing of infections by directly preventing the growth of bacteria, enhancing the immune system’s antimicrobial effects, and synergistic effects with certain antimicrobial agents.

Endocarditis also has a high potential to embolize, with a stroke being one of the major complications – either ischemic or hemorrhagic. Strokes occuring in the left side of the brain, the area that controls speech and language, cause what is called aphasia (A language disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate). In a recent study, they used HBOT as a complementary treatment to the existing therapeutic management for patients with acute or completed stroke. They found there were statistically significant differences and higher means/standard deviations among patients who received language therapy with Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy than those who received just language therapy.

What is it like to go into an HBOT chamber?

One of the limiting factors for some is what I call “the fear factor”. So many look at the chamber and say “oh no way!” In fact, it can become your “escape from the world” pod and offer a place of solitude and relaxation. If you’ve ever been in a tanning bed or spray tan pod, then you’re familiar with the experience. The “lower level” chambers that only go up to 3.4 ATA’s are extremely easy to use on a regular basis and are an excellent way to receive benefits from oxygen therapies. The chamber blows up like a balloon and can be quite spacious once you’re at pressure. Using a battery operated fan to move the air and feel a tiny breeze on your face can make the panic go away completely. This one “tick” is only one of the ways we at Water’s Edge Wellness, can help you to feel comfortable and at ease to receive benefits. Also, you can bring your phone, your ear pods or a book with you for entertainment if you are a little nervous. The first time is definitely different and if you have a panic disorder you should take something prior to entering, however many report that they relax and sometimes fall asleep after they get comfortable. Most look forward to getting away from the world for an hour in addition to the benefits of feeling fully oxygenated after their treatment. Athletes use HBOT for rapid recovery after strenuous practices or competition and seeing the immediate results on their measuring devices such as the Loop is a fun way to recognize some of the overall benefits to using HBOT. If you are thinking you may need the benefits of this particular oxygen therapy, but are anxious about the enclosed space, there are so many ways to help those who are claustrophobic feel comfortable and receive regular benefits from HBOT. 

Do you need more information about how inflammation can be positively impacted by Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Contact us HERE at Waters Edge Wellness to find out more. 

Resources:

Everything you need to know about inflammation | What Is Inflammation? | Alzheimer’s: Is brain inflammation the missing trigger? | Endocarditis | Inflammation in Traumatic Brain Injury | Hyperbaric oxygen ameliorates cognitive impairment in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and amnestic mild cognitive impairment | Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: Antimicrobial mechanisms and clinical application for infections | A review on the neuroprotective effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy | The Impact of Systemic Inflammation on Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology | Hyperbaric oxygen therapy | International Hyperbarics Association | The Inflammatory Continuum of Traumatic Brain Injury and Alzheimer’s Disease | The Effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in the Management of Aphasic Patients