Autism and hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Doctors define HBOT therapy as the inhalation of 100% pure oxygen at atmospheric pressure levels greater than one. However, this definition has undergone modifications over the years. According to the current definition of HBOT therapy, inhalation of any percentage of oxygen greater than 21% (since that is the percentage of oxygen contained in ambient air) can be considered as HBOT therapy. Scientific studies and clinical trials reveal that high-pressure oxygen helps reduce inflammation, as well as improve oxygen content in organelles and cells by dissolving it in extracellular body fluids such as plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, interstitial fluid and lymph. Increased oxygenation helps trigger many biochemical reactions within the body.
Some of the effects of HBOT include:
Increased production of antioxidant enzymes.
Angiogenesis, or the growth of additional blood vessels in tissues and organs.
Increased oxygenation of mitochondria.
Increased production of ROS (reactive oxygen species)
Reduction of systemic and gastrointestinal viruses.
Increased production of stem cells.
HBOT therapy has been shown to have positive results in children with autism. Simply defined, autism is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects a child’s ability to communicate and express themselves, control bowel movements, accept sudden changes in situation, etc. SPECT scans of autistic children have revealed that the main cause of this condition is limited oxygen supply to the brain, as a result of which normal development is hampered. By undergoing sustained HBOT therapy sessions, it is possible to see a marked improvement in oxygen delivery to brain tissues on scans taken after the start of treatment.
Doctors and parents of children suffering from autism have observed the following improvements after undergoing regular HBOT sessions:
Improved sleep habits.
Improved attention and focus.
The boy calms down. He also develops affection for his family members.
Better bowel function.
Sensory disturbances caused by sudden flashes of bright lights or loud noises are markedly reduced.
The child is more “present.”
Enhanced cognition.
Autistic children can use language better: both cognitively and expressively.
The autistic child develops a deep bond with his family and becomes emotionally connected and attached to them.
Previously, children with autism spectrum disorder were advised to undergo treatment in single or multiplace hard-shell chambers using 100% oxygen at a pressure of 1.5 ATA. Treatment protocols included:
A minimum of 40 sessions spread over a maximum period of two months.
Each session lasted one hour, preceded by 10-15 minutes to increase the pressure inside the chamber, and preceded by a 10-minute phase to decompress it.
It is necessary to feed hard shell chambers with 100% pure oxygen. Multiplace chambers generally require patients to be advised to inhale 100% oxygen in order to use additional accessories such as oxygen masks to strictly follow the prescription.
After completing 40 sessions, there is a 3-4 week interval before treatment is resumed. The frequency and exact number of sessions are decided by the doctor.
Two theoretical side effects that ASD patients experience after undergoing HBOT therapy are hyperactivity and increased arousal. However, the clinical history attests to the fact that autistic children become calmer and show less signs of stimulation after successive sessions.
Patients should be monitored for ear and sinus infections before therapy sessions begin, as it is advisable to postpone the treatment program if such conditions are detected.
Recent technological and scientific advances have made it possible for trained professionals to administer this treatment in soft-shell chambers where the maximum pressure level cannot exceed 1.3ATA. The main advantage of these chambers is that families can use them to manage and monitor treatment at home if it becomes difficult to locate and reserve a bed for HBOT treatment in a hard-shell chamber found strictly in clinics and hospitals.
Although it is best to let the doctor determine the eligibility of an autistic child for HBOT treatment, here are certain parameters that can be taken into account during the crucial decision-making process. Those that may be considered include:
Children who show little or no reaction to intensive biomedical treatments such as MeB12.
Those with chronic gastrointestinal problems such as yeast and bacterial infections.
Those who have tested positive for mitochondrial dysfunction and/or oxidative stress.
Although there is no magic formula to cure autism, the individual problems that cause this condition can be treated to improve the behavioral and language skills of the child. HBOT therapy can be considered a non-invasive complementary method that improves the flow of oxygen in the body and helps in the recovery and recovery of damaged cells and tissues.