There are about 10 million people affected by traumatic brain injury or TBI in the United States every year. Currently, there is no effective TBI treatment, but hyperbaric oxygen therapy has proved effective with stroke patients. And many wonder if this could be the magic bullet TBI patients are looking for?
In this breif, we will look at hyperbaric oxygen for TBI and figure out if there is any merit to the treatment.
So keep on reading to learn more about hyperbaric oxygen therapy for TBI.
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy utilizes the intake or breathing of 100% oxygen at a pressure greater than one atmosphere as a form of trauma treatment. This helps raise the percentage of oxygen in the body tissues, which has health benefits like healing and recovery of injured tissues.
Traumatic brain injury exerts external mechanical forces on the head, leading to brain damage. This leads to cerebral hypoxia and the transmission of toxic materials via the blood-brain barrier. This may damage the brain’s physical, emotional, or cognitive functions, which might be temporary or permanent.
There are three distinct TBI phases, acute, subacute, and chronic. They all occur in succession, leading to server effects and having more symptoms than the other. Early intervention using hyperbaric oxygen can help treat or reduce the impact of head trauma.
It can also help patients with advanced symptoms encourage the regeneration of damaged brain cells. Starting the healing process and the long road to normalcy.
A pressurized chamber is used to administer treatment to patients. It helps raise their oxygen levels and stimulate healing.
FAQs
What Does Hyperbaric Chamber do for TBI?
The chamber promotes better oxygen absorption in the body by raising the atmospheric pressure and pure oxygen level. This helps oxygen-deprived cells raise their oxygen levels and promote healing of the damaged cells.
Does Oxygen Help with TBI?
Studies have shown that an increase in oxygen levels in the brain causes the rehabilitation of damaged tissues. It also improves the brain’s function. However, conclusive evidence that the treatment is effective is not yet available.
Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Help Concussions?
Hyperbaric oxygen helps concussion victims to recover. The boost in oxygen levels in the blood system improves the healing process and repairs damaged brain cells. It has also shown that patients who use hyperbaric oxygen experience better recovery than those who don’t.
Could Hyperbaric Treatment Heal the Brain?
Research shows that hyperbaric treatment improves brain activity in areas damaged by trauma. It also triggers the regrowth of nerve fibers in danged parts of the brain and leads to their recovery.
Conclusion
Head trauma can lead to unforeseen advanced conditions that could affect one’s life substantially. Although TBI treatment is challenging, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is offering patients a lifeline. And as more trials go into the treatment, its effectiveness is only expected to get better.
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