The brain is one of the most vital organs of the human body. Any damage to the brain tissues, such as a concussion, can cause irreparable damage if left untreated and hamper the health and well-being of the affected individual.
As reported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), an estimated 1.5 million cases of traumatic brain injury and concussions are reported every year in the United States. A majority of patients who have sustained concussions recover within a short period naturally.
However, Sometimes, brain injuries can appear insignificant at first, but it is imperative to consult a specialist immediately so that the requisite treatment can be commenced at the earliest possible time, as any delay in providing adequate treatment can cause future cognitive disabilities in the patient.
In recent years, medical experts are increasingly recommending HBOT therapy to these patients as an adjunctive solution, alongside conventional treatment programs.
How Do Individuals Sustain Concussions?
Concussions are the most common type of mild Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Most individuals sustain these brain injuries due to explosions on a battlefield, collisions during contact sports, or motor accidents.
When an individual suffers a concussion, it causes oxygen deficiency in the brain.
What Are The Symptoms Of Concussion?
Patients with post-concussion syndrome (PCS) are known to experience a wide range of symptoms, such as mood swings, headaches, disorientation, and incoherent speech.
These symptoms are believed to occur due to the lack of sufficient oxygen supply, which causes the impairment of blood vessels in the brain tissue. Concussions can also cause cell death and swelling of the brain tissue.
Researchers are constantly revealing the positive attributes and suitability of HBOT therapy as a viable solution for post-concussion syndrome (PCS) and several other TBI-related afflictions.
What is Hyperbaric Therapy?
Oxygen, known to have natural curative properties, is a prime constituent of hyperbaric therapy.
Since the early 1960s, physicians have been prescribing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) as an alternative treatment solution to provide relief from varied ailments such as decompression sickness in divers, burn injury, gas embolism, non-healing diabetic wounds, toxic poisoning, and eleven other disorders.
In recent years, researchers have discovered several characteristics of HBOT therapy, which make it suitable for treating patients suffering from traumatic brain injury and concussion-related complications.
In 2013, a comprehensive study conducted by an eminent team of researchers from Israel reiterated the advantages of inhaling pure oxygen through HBOT therapy for repairing old brain damage sustained due to concussion.
A Landmark Study That Revealed The Efficacy Of Hyperbaric Therapy for Treating Patients With Post-Concussion Syndrome:
A qualified team of scientists from Tel Aviv University in Israel conducted a detailed study in 2013 by administering HBOT therapy to patients with post-concussion syndrome.
This study revealed the efficacy of HBOT as the team observed significant improvements in the cognitive abilities of these patients following their hyperbaric therapy sessions.
Shai Efrati, the chief researcher of the team, stated, “Once the extra oxygen diffuses into damaged areas, it supplies energy, and the regenerative process can happen.” The experiment is known to have indicated the regeneration of nerve fibers and fresh blood vessels. Thereafter, Efrati has been a determined advocate of hyperbaric therapy and believes that HBOT is a viable treatment solution that can be used to treat many other disorders.
The results of this research report were subsequently published in a leading journal, ‘Frontiers in Human Neuroscience', elaborating on the healing capabilities of hyperbaric therapy. These positive developments have encouraged many researchers to study and document the various aspects and processes of treating patients suffering from diverse disorders through hyperbaric therapy.
How Is Hyperbaric Therapy Administered To Patients With Concussion?
During HBOT Therapy, the patient is placed in a pressurized compartment known as a hyperbaric chamber, and unadulterated oxygen is administered at pressure levels that are 1 to 5 times greater than normal atmospheric pressure. This process helps dissolve the pressurized pure oxygen into the bodily fluids and thus increases the supply of oxygen to the damaged or injured areas of the brain and the body where the blood vessels have been damaged.
This surge in the supply of oxygen in injured parts of the body ensures the proliferation of white blood cells, thereby improving the immunity system so that it can fight harmful bacteria and prevent infections. HBOT is also known to aid the regeneration of damaged capillary walls by curtailing swelling and preventing plasma leakage.
In Conclusion
The FDA has approved 13 medical conditions that can be treated through HBOT therapy in the United States. The medical fraternity is investing immense efforts to gain the approval of the US Government for including ailments such as concussions into the fold.
The study cited above strongly indicates that hyperbaric therapy is responsible for significantly accelerating the recovery process in the brain through the inhalation of pure oxygen. Currently, HBOT has become a favored solution for treating concussions and other conditions and injuries in countries around the world.
