Introduction
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy or HBOT, is a treatment mode, during which a patient is entirely enclosed in a chamber and given oxygen to breathe at a pressure greater than one atmosphere. Both the enclosed chamber and the pressure are necessary for HBOT. The patient sits in the chamber and relaxes, naps, or even watches a movie or video. HBO diffuses oxygen throughout the body, even into damaged tissues. Pressurized oxygen has tremendous healing capabilities. Oxygen expands and enlarges restricted capillaries and blood vessels in the body, even to the speech and language centers of the brain. HBOT heals the brain by activating idling neurons, thus enabling cognitive function. Outcomes include improved attention, concentration, and the ability to follow directions, along with a reduction in hyperactivity. HBOT also improves muscle tone because oxygen increases muscle mass.
Many autism doctors have recommended HBOT for their autism patients because HBOT delivers oxygen deep into the tissues of the body where it attacks and kills yeast overgrowth, fungus, mold, and toxic pathogens—all with an intense and short-lived die off, and without a negative effect on the liver. You may see improvements more quickly than by using antifungals alone. Treatments typically last one to two hours. The more treatments, the greater the potential for improvement. Some see significant benefits with as few as five treatments, although forty to sixty treatments are more common. HBO chambers vary among manufacturers; some are very large, others portable. An individual assessment by your doctor, including a patient's age, severity of the gut problems, and consideration of other therapies being done simultaneously, determines the proper number of treatments and which type of chamber is appropriate. Insurance sometimes covers HBOT with a pre- and post- treatment SPECT scan.
When choosing an HBOT center, it should be noted that a hard chamber is typically in a medical facility with a trained physician in HBOT there at all times. Mild Hyperbaric therapy is in a soft chamber, which is portable and can be used in the home. Unlike HBOT in a hard chamber, which is at 1.5 ATA (Atmospheres Absolute), a mild hyperbaric chamber can only get to 1.3 ATA. Therefore, more treatments may be required with the Mild Hyperbaric treatment option. Consult your child’s doctor regarding which treatment is most appropriate.
Related Sites
Hyperbaric Therapy Center Description: This Center has enabled a growing number of parents to use Hyperbaric Therapy to help treat their child's Autism.
International Hyperbarics Association, Inc. Description: The International Hyperbarics Association, Inc. is an educational and charitable organization focusing on the needs of the hyperbaric community. As a research institution, the Association networks, grants and facilitates access to hyperbaric patients, fellow doctors, and staff. As a charitable institution, the IHA grants funding to those in need of hyperbaric therapy.
Books
Tools
Parent Forums/Blogs
Some forums require you to sign in to Yahoo or Facebook to locate forum names.
Forum/Blog Name: Neuro HBOT Description: Yahoo group for the discussion of HBOT for all types of Neurological Injury, including Autism.
Forum/Blog Name: mHBOT For Autism Description: Yahoo group for those who have purchased or are using mild (mHBOT) or 1.5ATA HBOT in the recovery of their ASD child.
Consumer Corner
Community Library
Can Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Help Autistic Kids? Description: Article discusses potential benefits of treating ASD children with HBOT.
Autism and Its Growing Hyperbaric Movement Description: International Hyperbarics Association, Inc. article about autism and hyperbarics.