Benefits from hyperbaric pressure alone!

This study looked at both pressure and oxygen and their effects on genetic expression. 183 genes were identified that were significantly altered through pressure and/or oxygen. Fascinatingly, more genes were altered in response to hyperbaric air than HBOT. This study supports the notion that pressure has the greatest effect (more than oxygen), when relating to hyperbaric oxygen therapy <view study>

Even very slight hyperbaric pressures will produce benefits

For many years, hyperbaric pressures of only 1.04 ATA were considered to be insignificant in the hyperbaric field. Moreover, pressures as high as 1.3 ATA were considered to have no extra therapeutic value and even deemed to be the “placebo dose” in many studies trying to determine the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. We now have convincing evidence that this information is completely wrong!

Over the past 2 decades, research has confirmed that these lower pressures actually can have large physiological benefits. From theory to animal studies, and now to human studies; we can confirm that any pressures between 1.0 ATA and 1.3 ATA should all be considered hyperbaric therapy, delivering ‘higher than normal oxygen levels into the body. By obeying the gas-pressure laws of physics, any pressure above 1.0 ATA will allow extra oxygen to easily enter into the body. Therefore, any extra pressure is an extra dose of oxygen, and as the pressure increases, so does the extra dose of oxygen entering the body!

Quite simply put, the purpose of hyperbaric oxygen therapy is to provide extra oxygen at levels above and beyond the body’s natural means of getting this nutrient. Think of it as an “oxygen supplement.” Every time you breathe inside an oxygen chamber, you are continuously taking another dose of the extra oxygen. This then is a real dose of extra oxygen, and therefore cannot be considered a placebo!

In a recent publication, Paul Harch was able to very eloquently present these misconceptions in a detailed report rebutting a very poorly designed study published in the Journal of Neurotrauma. He was able to site numerous scientific documents validating the use of both low and very low pressures, clearly demonstrating that even pressures as low as 1.04 ATA had physiological effects. <view study>

Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy helps 2 year old make a full recovery

A Near Drowning accident left this 2 year old girl in critical condition. After being intensively treated in the hospital, she was finally discharged 35 days following the accident, but still unresponsive to all stimuli. Fortunately, she was able to have access to hyperbaric oxygen therapy and began a series of 40 sessions over 38 days (a total of 78 days following the near drowning). Her recovery was immediate, and the MRI that was previously taken before being discharged from the hospital was nearly completely reversed following the short course of hyperbaric therapy. Most notably for hyperbaric physicians was the dosage of oxygen that was used to achieve these remarkable results.Each session consisted of 45 minutes at 1.3 ATA (mild hyperbaric therapy — mHBOT). Not only was the pressure a lower pressure protocol, but there was no other breathing apparatus used in the treatment, just regular air breathing. This case report is consistent with many others who have had ‘miraculous recovery’ following hyperbaric oxygen therapy. However, this particular case is an excellent one to give the hyperbaric community a wake up and clearly demonstrates the power of mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The powerful reversal of severe brain damage demonstrates the effectiveness of mHBOT, as seen in this case (New York Post release)

“The brain is very sensitive to even slight changes in oxygen tension and this is one key reason why so many neurological conditions are positively affected by m-HBOT.”

Another key factor for this girl’s quick and nearly complete recovery is that she had quick access to hyperbaric oxygen therapy (within 3 months). Timing is everything and generally speaking, the quicker the access, the better the outcome, particularly if this procedure is applied within the first 2 years following brain trauma. Longer courses of hyperbaric therapy may need to be applied for injuries that have exceeded 2 years, as hyperbaric oxygen therapy is gaining widespread publicity for its neurological regenerative effects and stem cell release. The end result of “new brain tissue” now gives new hope for both recent and long-term brain injury survivors <view study>

Endurance performance is enhanced by intermittent hyperbaric exposure via up-regulation of proteins involved in mitochondrial biogenesis in mice

This study was focused on exercise training and evaluated the effects of 1.3 ATA (ambient air) hyperbaric exposure during the training regimen. The researchers were able to see positive changes in cellular processes and protein levels, allowing them to conclude the following: “The results showed that intermittent exposure of 1.3 ATA was able to enhance endurance performance.” <view study>

Effects of intermittent hyperbaric exposure on endurance and interval exercise performance in well-trained mice

This study was designed to clarify the mechanisms by which 1.3 ATA (ambient air) hyperbaric therapy&nbsp; improves endurance and interval exercise capacities in highly trained mice.

During sprint interval training, the results showed an increase in the proportion of type 1 muscle fibers and promoted the growth of blood vessels and muscle fibers.

These results may lead to a new strategy for enhancing exercise capacity in well-trained mice.” <view study>

STUDY REVEALS over 8100 genes affected by hyperbaric oxygen, and it is the pressure that makes all the difference.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been traditionally used for growth, repair, tissue regeneration, and overall recovery. The mechanisms by which these positive effects occur are continuously being explored and our understanding of these effects are growing vastly, and much of these benefits have been shown to occur through the regulation of gene expression in various tissues inside the body. People often wonder why we cannot just breathe pure oxygen and get the same benefits that are achieved through hyperbaric delivery. This study should put those questions at rest and clearly shows the main relevant factor in HBOT is PRESSURE and not the 100% Oxygen. Note, both are considered to be the 2 key variables in dosing hyperbaric oxygen therapy. In this case, the research clearly pointed that the pressure was far more important and just breathing 100% oxygen did not have the physiological benefits that occurred when pressurized oxygen was added. More importantly, researchers in this study observed that pressurized oxygen caused an effect on over 8 thousand genes observed, within a 24 hour period of time following HBOT! <view study>

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of COVID-19 — severe cases

From Wuhan China — promising results have just been published in a preliminary report by Dr. Zhong Yangling for the treatment of 5 COVID-19 patients (2 of which were critical and 3 were severe) with hyperbaric therapy at the Department of Hyperbaric Oxygen in Wuhan Yangtze River Shipping General Hospital.

In this report, hyperbaric oxygen was added to the current comprehensive treatments being performed at the hospital for COVID-19 affected patients, with a dose of 90-120 minutes at treatment pressures of 1.4 to 1.6 ATA. The results were very encouraging as these 5 patients received significant therapeutic benefits, including rapid relief of symptoms after the first session. The rationale for adding this procedure is to help combat the progressive hypoxemia (low blood oxygen levels) that COVID-19 can cause. Hyperbaric oxygen has the ability to add a substantial supply of extra oxygen into the bloodstream and therefore can help during these times of hypoxemia.

Hypoxemia is the key determinant to the deterioration of patients seen with COVID-19. The virus attacks the lungs and causes inflammation and the body has a difficult time getting enough oxygen transferred from the lungs into the body. This progressive hypoxemia leads to an increase in mortality rates as patients can become critically ill. At this time, they are typically in complete reliance on ventilators to help restore oxygen levels, to keep them alive, while the body fights the virus and repairs the lung damage.

The advantage of hyperbaric oxygen for the treatment of progressive hypoxemia is that the higher pressure environment allows greater levels of oxygen to pass through the thickened and inflamed lung tissue into the bloodstream; thereby directly treating the hypoxemia. Add to this, the greater solubility of oxygen in the blood (in hyperbaric conditions) and it’s now easy to see why all 5 patients reported dramatic relief of their symptoms — Dr. Zhong reported that after the first session of hyperbaric oxygen, symptoms such as dyspnea (shortness of breath) and chest pain were reduced. After the second session, the respiratory rate decreased gradually and the shortness of breath (after movement) was relieved slowly. To correlate with these subjective results, Dr. Zhong was able to objectively chart a significant upward trend of oxygen levels, day by day. In addition, lung inflammation was re-evaluated through CT scan, and all 5 patients significantly improved.

It should be noted, that hyperbaric oxygen is not a treatment for the COVID-19 virus and this report should NOT lead people to look for hyperbaric chambers for treating the virus, particularly within private centers that are not equipped for treating infectious diseases. However, this is a very important paper outlining the potential clinical role that hyperbaric therapy can play in the symptomatic relief of hypoxemia that is seen in the COVID-19 affected population. Hopefully, this will lead the medical community to take a much harder look at integrating hyperbaric therapy and utilizing its key physiological benefits (ie, reducing hypoxia). In turn, this could lead to a much larger demand for the use of hyperbaric chambers in hospitals and infectious disease centers to coexist as a supportive therapy, during these critical stages. Deploying hyperbaric chambers in this manner could offer major lifeline support to patients, while aggressive medical treatments are being administered in the hospital setting. This applies to both current hospital-type chambers and portable hyperbaric chambers as these chambers can be performed in the open area of the hospital.

Hospital chambers — According to Dr. Zhong, these chambers can help “improve the treatment efficiency, reduce the medical pressure and the risk of infection, and decrease the mortality rate of critical patients”. With the limited supply of ventilators, hyperbaric chambers can offer valuable relief. Hyperbaric Oxygen Department of Wuhan Changjiang Shipping General Hospital has established complete infection control procedures and measures for the hyperbaric treatment of patients with coronavirus. If followed, this could lead to a widespread movement of hyperbaric chambers to help in areas where the local demand is too great from community infection. In Wuhan, Huoshenshan hospitals are not equipped with hyperbaric chambers so construction of a new hyperbaric oxygen chamber system started at Huoshenshan Hospital and is being installed and commissioned for use within 15 days!

Portable chambers — These chambers are typically operated at lower pressures of 1.3 ATA and can have physiological benefits in reducing hypoxemia. Of note, Dr. Zhong also tested 1.2 to 1.4 ATA and found that the oxygen levels were still kept in a high level and this was even with ambient air application. Again, as a supportive therapy, this could be very valuable for helping to maintain oxygen levels. Here in the United States, these types of chambers have been making steady growth in the hyperbaric industry (over the past 20 years) and fueled lately by high-profile athletes promoting its benefits. As this industry grows, many private hyperbaric centers are now writing prescriptions for patients for home use. This may help during times of isolation and the early infection period when patients are told to stay at home until symptoms become severe and hypoxemia begins to take its toll.

To summarize, this publication by Dr. Zhong should encourage us to look into hyperbaric medicine in a new way, when it comes to severe respiratory diseases caused by a coronavirus. Since this study, Dr. Zhong has now treated a total of 35 COVID-19 cases. As this pandemic continues, we do not know how much of the public will be affected and the extra load that will impact our medical system. What we do know is that this virus primarily targets the lung tissue, causing severe inflammation and hypoxemia. Hyperbaric oxygen may offer a valuable therapeutic delivery of oxygenation during times of hypoxemia. More research should be looked into this.

Disclaimer — is very important that this article is not construed as an article that promotes treating COVID-19 with hyperbaric therapy. Anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or suspected of having this infection should follow the CDC guidelines (and not seek treatments in a hyperbaric chamber as an alternative). This is purely educational material on the new preliminary report published from Wuhan China <view report>

The Debate is over — Low pressure hyperbaric oxygen therapy proves its effectiveness

Major News — A landmark study, in a mainstream and peer-reviewed hyperbaric medical journal has just been released, and it supports the use of lower pressure protocols for hyperbaric medicine. This is groundbreaking, because for over two decades now, there has been a constant and heated debate going on between hyperbaric physicians on the use of low pressure protocols, and whether or not they were as effective as higher pressures. Advocates of lower pressure protocols have clearly focused their opinion on the scientific rationale of the gas pressure laws of physics and say that ANY pressure will have a physiological effect – they also have growing support from empirical data. On the other hand, skeptics of lower pressure protocols say “where is the research”, and they also quote that “most of the clinical research is at higher pressures”.

This study should finally put these to rest. Here, they looked at 3 different pressure protocols: 1.3 ATA (ambient air), 1.5 ATA (pure oxygen), and 1.75 ATA (pure oxygen). They then added all 3 pressure protocols to a standard intensive exercise program for CP children and followed them with for an 8-month period of time. The results were astonishing. Not only did they find that all 3 hyperbaric oxygen pressures gave significant improvements, but there was no difference between the pressures. More startling to skeptics of lower pressure protocols, the lower pressure protocol did not even use the conventional pure oxygen, and instead only used regular ambient air.

Why this is groundbreaking is because typically in past studies, a lower pressure protocol using regular ambient air has been used as the placebo dose in studies. This is really the point of contention. The supporters of lower pressure protocols argue “how can you use 1.3 ATA ambient air as a placebo when the laws of physics clearly show that this is actually a treatment dosage” This study clearly supports their notion pressure is the key variable in hyperbaric oxygenation therapy. Pandoras box is open! <view study>

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy shown to help with Autism

“Children with autism who received hyperbaric treatment at 1.3 ATA and 24% oxygen for 40 hourly sessions had significant improvements in overall functioning, receptive language, social interaction, eye contact, and sensory/cognitive awareness compared to children who received slightly pressurized room air…” <view study>