Hyperbaric Chamber
What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Autism?
A hyperbaric chamber is a pressurized, oxygen-filled chamber or tube. It's an effective tool for treating the "bends" (a disorder among SCUBA divers who surface too quickly, causing oxygen bubbles in the bloodstream).
In recent years, some doctors theorized that Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy could improve symptoms of autism (See more) by increasing oxygen intake and thus reducing inflammation and hypo-perfusion (lack of oxygen) in the brain. Of course, there is no agreement within the scientific community that inflammation or lack of oxygen cause autism - or are even generally associated with autism.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) might be able to improve each of these problems in autistic individuals. Specifically, HBOT has been used with clinical success in several cerebral hypoperfusion conditions and can compensate for decreased blood flow by increasing the oxygen content of plasma and body tissues. HBOT has been reported to possess strong anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to improve immune function. There is evidence that oxidative stress can be reduced with HBOT through the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes. HBOT can also increase the function and production of mitochondria and improve neurotransmitter abnormalities.
In the United States, Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy is recognized by Medicare as a reimbursable treatment for 14 UHMS "approved" conditions. An Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy session costs anywhere from $100 to $200 in private clinics, to over $1,000 in hospitals. More U.S. physicians are lawfully prescribing HBOT for "off label" conditions such as Lyme Disease[35], stroke, migraines and also in autism (See more) and related disorders like ADHD. Such patients are treated in outpatient clinics, however it is unlikely that their medical insurance will pay for off label treatments
A hyperbaric chamber is a pressurized, oxygen-filled chamber or tube. It's an effective tool for treating the "bends" (a disorder among SCUBA divers who surface too quickly, causing oxygen bubbles in the bloodstream).
In recent years, some doctors theorized that Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy could improve symptoms of autism (See more) by increasing oxygen intake and thus reducing inflammation and hypo-perfusion (lack of oxygen) in the brain. Of course, there is no agreement within the scientific community that inflammation or lack of oxygen cause autism - or are even generally associated with autism.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) might be able to improve each of these problems in autistic individuals. Specifically, HBOT has been used with clinical success in several cerebral hypoperfusion conditions and can compensate for decreased blood flow by increasing the oxygen content of plasma and body tissues. HBOT has been reported to possess strong anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to improve immune function. There is evidence that oxidative stress can be reduced with HBOT through the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes. HBOT can also increase the function and production of mitochondria and improve neurotransmitter abnormalities.
In the United States, Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy is recognized by Medicare as a reimbursable treatment for 14 UHMS "approved" conditions. An Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy session costs anywhere from $100 to $200 in private clinics, to over $1,000 in hospitals. More U.S. physicians are lawfully prescribing HBOT for "off label" conditions such as Lyme Disease[35], stroke, migraines and also in autism (See more) and related disorders like ADHD. Such patients are treated in outpatient clinics, however it is unlikely that their medical insurance will pay for off label treatments
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