Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (mHBOT)

Definition: HYPER (HIGH) + BARIC (PRESSURE) + OXYGEN = breathing oxygen while under increased atmospheric pressure

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy HBOT (HBOT) and Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (MHBOT) are highly effective treatments that have been used more and more frequently over the past decade to treat Lyme and other biotoxin illnesses. It helps maximize recovery and relief for Lyme disease and many other conditions. A groundbreaking study by William Fife, M.D. of Texas A&M University demonstrates dramatic improvements in the overall condition of Lyme patients treated with HBOT. It has been shown to reduce pain significantly, modulate the immune system, increase energy, alleviate sleep dysfunction and decrease cognitive dysfunction (brain fog). In many cases patients are able to decrease use of antibiotics.

Okay, but What Exactly Is It?

(mHBOT) is an oxygen therapy. Sessions can vary in length, and happen inside an oxygen-rich, pressurized chamber. Infusing the body with 95% medical grade oxygen under increased atmospheric pressure promotes healing and delivers benefits that breathing supplemental oxygen alone can’t achieve. mHBOT dramatically increases the oxygen in blood plasma, and in the brain, spine, and joint fluid. It has also been shown to significantly increase the ability of cells to produce energy. Sessions can vary in length and it is safe to use electronics in the chamber.

Session Frequency

Multiple sessions are most effective. Session amount varies depending on the severity of Lyme. Patients with acute Lyme may only require 1-3 sessions to be most effective. Those with chronic Lyme require between 10 and 40 sessions for permanent long-term benefits.

How it Works

While a patient is in the hyperbaric oxygen chamber breathing supplemental oxygen under increased pressure, oxygen saturates their red blood cells. The additional pressure causes oxygen molecules to become directly infused into bodily fluids—including plasma, lymph, spinal fluid and interstitial spaces and tissues.

Why it Works

Oxygen is involved in 5,769 known cellular processes. Many diseases thrive in a low- oxygen environment. Lack of oxygen and blood flow to cells plus inflammation causes many things to happen including:

• Reduced ability to absorb nutrients
• Reduced ability to remove cellular toxins
• Increased oxidative stress (aging)

This makes it harder for cells to produce the energy needed to repair, regenerate and keep the body healthy and functioning properly.  mHBOT treats common denominators shared by many diseases including low oxygen levels, reduced blood flow and inflammation. It works because patient’s lungs can gather more oxygen than is possible breathing pure oxygen at normal air pressure. Their blood carries oxygen throughout their body. This has a positive impact on many chronic illnesses.

MHBOT Pressure

Just like any drug, there are certain “dosages” of hyperbaric oxygen that are appropriate as treatment for certain conditions. There are 3 ways that hyperbaric oxygen dosages can be adjusted:  1) degree of pressure used, 2) amount of oxygen given and 3) duration of treatment, including length of session under pressure, number, and frequency of treatments. The degree of pressure can vary from “mild hyperbaric” (mHBOT) –1.5
Atmospheres Absolute (ATA) and below, to “hyperbaric” (HBOT)— above 1.5 ATA.

Please note: A physician’s prescription is required for HBOT or mHBOT treatment. Discuss your medical history/conditions with your physician before starting treatment. All treatments are monitored with an in-chamber walkie-talkie. Doctors check in on patients but there is no need for them to stay in the room.

Benefits

What mHBOT Can Do for Lyme
Because mHBOT provides around 10 times the normal amount of oxygen, many body functions are restored, the immune system receives a massive boost and many Lyme patients experience dramatic improvements in their overall health. mHBOT pressure augments other therapies, amplifying the positive effect of antibiotics by driving them deeper into cells for better absorption. In some cases, patients are able to stop using antibiotics and other medications.

HBOT chambers are approved in the U.S. There are many reported benefits of mHBOT in treating traumatic, acute, and chronic diseases and conditions including:

• Reduces inflammation
• Improves cellular metabolism/efficiency
• Activates 8,101 healing genes
• Stimulates DNA to produce growth and repair hormones and receptors
• Reduces hypo-perfusion
• Increases blood flow/circulation
• Releases stem cells
• Improves immune function (increases white blood cell production)
• Promotes new blood vessel growth
• Has antimicrobial properties (treats/helps prevent infections)
• Assists neural tissue healing/ regeneration
• Promotes wound healing
• Reduces swelling and edema
• Increases production of collagen
• Reduces pain in certain conditions
• Improves bone regeneration
• Improves rate of healing from surgeries
• Decreases effects from radiation injury
• Improves recovery from athletic over-training/injury

Off Label and FDA Approved Conditions

Licensed physicians are legally approved to use HBOT and mHBOT for any condition they deem appropriate for their patient. While there are currently only 14 FDA “approved” conditions covered by insurance, there are many “off label” conditions that have been treated with great success. Outside the U.S. HBOT and mHBOT are considered the standard of care for many conditions including MS, Cerebral Palsy and other neurological issues.

Off Label Conditions Treated with mHBOT

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• AIDS
• Alzheimer’s
• Arthritis
• Autism
• Birth Injuries
• Cancer
• Cardiac Conditions (some)
• Cerebral Palsy
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Crohn’s Disease
• Dementia
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Drug/Alcohol Rehabilitation
• Fibromyalgia

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• Learning Disabilities
• Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS)
• Lyme Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Migraine Headaches
• Near Drowning
• Parkinson’s
• Post Concussion Syndrome
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)
• Reynaud’s Phenomenon
• Sports Injury
• Stroke
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Ulcerative colitis

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FDA “Approved” Conditions:

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• Air or Gas Embolism
• Anemia/Blood Loss
• Bone Infections
• Burns
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
• Crush Injuries

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• Gas Gangrene
• Intracranial Abscess
• Problem Wounds
• Radiation Necrosis
• Skin Grafts
• Soft Tissue Injury

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Absolute Contraindications

Do not use HBOT or mHBOT if you have:

• A history of treatment with certain drugs (including, but not limited to): bleomycin (tradename Blenoxane), cisplatin, disulfiram (tradename Antabuse), doxorubicin (trade name Adriamycin), and mafenide (tradename Sulfamylon)
• Untreated Pneumothorax

Relative Contraindications

Use caution using HBOT or mHBOT if you have:

• Asthma
• Cardiac Insufficiency
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• Claustrophobia
• Congenital Spherocytosis
• Epidural Pain Pump
• Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
• High fever
• Pacemaker
• Pregnancy
• Seizure history
• Upper Respiratory Infection

Possible Side Effects

• Barotrauma to the ear/sinuses (minimized with ear clearing techniques)
• Fatigue (usually temporary)
• Oxygen toxicity (rare, especially using lower pressures)
• Certain drugs/substances may be metabolized differently, affecting dosing
• Changes or worsening of cataracts (usually with higher pressures)
• Increased nearsightedness (can be temporary; usually with higher pressures)
• Herxing: Very ill patients may experience herxing after the first mHBOT treatment. They may briefly experience fever, chills and fatigue, which go away after a few treatments. Most patients feel better after a treatment