Hyperbaric oxygen is used by the Nardella clinic to treat multiple neurological disorders that are related to a reduction in cerebral blood flow (hypoxia) or brain trauma and subsequent neuro-inflammation. Our naturopathic doctors have seen significant benefits in patients who add HBOT to their rehabilitation protocols.
Stroke
According to the stroke foundation of Canada, stroke is the third leading cause of death and six percent of all deaths in Canada are due to stroke; eighty percent of all strokes are ischemic. Ischemic stroke is caused by the interruption of blood flow to the brain due to a blood clot. Consequently, anoxia leads to cellular damage and ultimately to further progression of a stroke. The goal of any therapy for patients with acute ischemic stroke is to save structurally normal tissue, which is at risk for irreversible damage. The available therapies approved for the treatment of patients with acute ischemic stroke are limited. The published data on human and animal models show some benefits of using hyperbaric oxygen as an adjunctive therapy after ischemic stroke. HBOT has been shown to hyper- oxygenate the brain, decrease cerebral edema, normalize water content in the brain, decrease the severity of brain infarction, and maintain blood–brain barrier integrity which is believed to prevent or reduce the long term consequences of stroke. In animal models, HBOT reduced early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage by inhibiting hypoxia-induced factor 1a and its target genes, thereby reducing apoptosis and preserving blood–brain barrier function.
Brain Injury
Data from animal and clinical studies suggest that HBOT therapy improves healing of damaged brain tissue after a concussion and helps restore cognitive functions. This was demonstrated even when HBOT was administered after 10 years since the injury in some football and hockey players and US troops who were exposed to blasts. Hyperbaric oxygen helps with the following:
- Inhibiting neuronal death
- Reducing inflammatory markers
- Promoting blood flow in chronically affected areas of the brain
- Improves aerobic metabolism
- Counteracts edema and ischemia
To learn more about the use of HBOT in brain injury, book a consultation with one of our naturopathic doctors to see if you are a candidate.
