HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY | Health Benefits, Adjunctive Cancer Therapy & More
Introduction
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is an innovative treatment which utilises oxygen at a greater-than atmospheric pressure.
Due to the change in pressure you will develop “Airplane Ear” for the first 10-15 minutes. We get this when we are taking off or landing in an airplane. Holding your nose & blowing, swallowing water or yawning will combat this.
This treatment has garnered significant attention in recent years for its healing capabilities. While its roots can be traced back to the mid-1600s, contemporary advancements in technology and medical understanding have propelled HBOT into the limelight as a potential game-changer in the world of modern medicine.
How Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Work ?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy involves the administration of 100% pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber (Hyperbaric Chamber), allowing the patient to breathe in oxygen at increased levels at an elevated atmospheric pressure.
The increased pressure partnered with oxygen causes a 10-15 fold increase in plasma oxygen concentration (oxygen in the blood stream), tissue oxygenation, promotes the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), decreases inflammation & swelling, and weakens infection-causing bacteria.
This surge in oxygen levels promotes the body's natural healing processes, leading to a multitude of potential health benefits.
Specific To HBOT:
Dissolves oxygen in the plasma
Increases oxygen tension in hypoxic areas
Enhances white blood cell activity at the wound site
Reduces edema (swelling/inflammation) by vasoconstriction
Promotes growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis)
Eight fold increase in stem cells after 10 treatments
Approved By:
Food and Drugs Administration (FDA)
European Committee for Hyperbaric Medicine (ECHM)
The Department of Health (NHS)
Health Service Executive (HSE)
- Among others
Wound Healing:
One of the most recognized applications of HBOT is wound healing. By providing a rich supply of oxygen to compromised tissues, HBOT aids in the growth of new blood vessels and encourages the growth of healthy new tissue, thus promoting faster and more effective wound healing and improved ability to fight off infections.
From diabetic ulcers to non-healing surgical wounds, the healing potential of HBOT in these cases has been widely acknowledged by the medical community.
Radiation Tissue Damage
Pressure Sores
Neurological & Neuromuscular Disorders:
Beyond its application in wound healing, the efficacy of HBOT has extended to the field of Neurological / Neuromuscular Disorders. Studies have indicated the potential of this therapy in minimising the impact of conditions such as Stroke (27) (28), Traumatic Brain injury (30), Acute Migraine (29) , Autism (31) and Cerebral Palsy. (34)
There is still a need for more studies on a larger scale involving HBOT and its effects on the Brain to fully understand whether the treatment is indeed beneficial & worthwhile. If so, the information gathered can be implemented into treatment plans for each disorder, such as specific duration, time & pressure.
HBOT & COVID 19 Symptoms:
Longterm Covid 19 symptoms (Long Covid) such as Fatigue, Shortness of Breath, Chest Pain/Tightness, Brain Fog / Memory Loss, Sleeping Problems, Heart Palpitations, Pins & Needles/ Numbness, Dizziness, Depression & Anxiety, etc have been debilitating problems for those who have been affected by the virus. So far, there is no treatment plan for Long Covid as we know so little about the virus.
During the pandemic HBOT emerged as a potential treatment that could lessen or resolve the side effects of Covid. Here are studies showing its efficacy treating lingering Covid 19 Symptoms or Long Covid (41) (42) (43) (44) (45) (46) (47) (48) (49) (50) (51)
Sports Medicine & HBOT:
HBOT has been used in the professional sports world as a tool for accelerating recovery from sports-related injuries. Athletes have turned to this therapy to aid the healing of musculoskeletal injuries and to alleviate the impact of conditions like muscle fatigue, accelerated tissue repair and reduced inflammation. These benefits have made HBOT an attractive option for athletes aiming for a quicker recovery in turn more game time. (33) (29) (30) (31) (32)
Cancer Treatment:
In regards to HBOT as a potential adjunctive treatment for cancer, some would say it “promotes” cancer growth. This assumption comes from very few studies looking at HBOT in the lab and seeing cancer continue to grow whilst undergoing HBOT alongside other conventional treatments. These few studies are drowned out by hundred of others showing its efficacy in Cancer Treatment as a whole. While the use of HBOT in cancer treatment remains a subject of ongoing research, the following studies show different ways HBOT can be used in cancer treatment as an adjunctive therapy, it’s different mechanisms of action against cancer and for its great healing benefits for cancer symptoms and side effects from harsh treatments;
Enhancing / Synergistic effect with chemotherapies, radiotherapies and other treatments: (25)
Hyperbaric oxygen enhanced mitochondrial targeting drug IR-780 in bladder cancer (13)
HBOT improved Doxil (Liposomal Doxorubicin) tumor penetration & sensitised tumor cells to Doxil (14)
HBO therapy reduced cancer stem cell formation and enhanced sensitivity to chemotherapy and radiotherapy in Glioblastoma (15)
Intensity - Modulated Radiotherapy boosted after HBOT/Chemotherapy Combination (17)
The combination of a 125I particle-integrated esophageal covered stent and hyperbaric oxygen shows a good short- and long-term efficacy in the treatment of advanced esophageal cancer (24)
HBOT boosted PD-1 Antibody Delivery in solid tumors in mice & hepatocellular carcinoma cells (20)
The combination of HCG and HBO can suppress the growth of orthotopic breast tumors and also restrain pulmonary metastases by inhibiting cancer stem cells. (21)
HBOT sensitises different cancers to chemotherapy drugs, radiotherapy etc: (19)
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment sensitised gastric cancer cells to melatonin-induced apoptosis through multiple pathways (9)
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy sensitized glioma in mice to nimustine treatment (12)
Suppress tumor progression / growth & induction of tumor apoptosis: (2) (3) (5) (6)
HBOT had a synergistic effect with chemotherapy (carboplatin) to suppress cancer cell proliferation and lung metastasis in osteosarcoma (7)
HBOT exhibited synergy with chemotherapy drug fluorouracil (5-FU) in the suppression of NE2Z cell proliferation (4)
HBOT suppressed tumor and increased tumor apoptosis growth in Non Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (16)
HBOT has been shown to reduce symptoms from cancer treatments:
Breast cancer patients with late radiation toxicity reported reduced pain, breast and arm symptoms, and improved quality of life following treatment with HBOT. (1)
HBOT induced longterm improvements of radiation-induced xerostomia (oral dryness) (8)
HBOT resulted in complete remission of Dyspnea (shortness of breath) due to laryngeal radionecrosis (a complication from radiotherapy to the larynx) (10)
HBOT showed a 90% resolution of radiation-induced hemorrhagic cystitis (11)
HBOT improved symptoms of radiation induced proctopathy (damage / inflammation to the rectum following radiotherapy) (11)
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an effective complementary therapy in the treatment of refractory radiation lesions. (22)
HBOT shows great potential in mastectomy flap salvage (23)
Prolong Life / Quality of Life:
A ketogenic diet and HBOT slowed tumor growth & prolonged survival in mice with systemic metastatic cancer (18)
Breast Cancer patients experiencing lymphedema showed improved quality of life (physical functioning, fatigue, insomnia and breast and arm symptoms) (26)
Longevity:
In a world where “Bio-hacking” and the pursuit of longevity is becoming more and more popular with billionaires, influencers & celebrities, HBOT may be able to turn back the clock & slow down the process of aging !
HBOT has been clinically proven to significantly increase the length of our telomeres. (65) (66) (67) (68)
Telomeres are protective caps at the end of chromosomes, safeguarding genetic material during cell division. As cells divide, telomeres naturally shorten. When they become too short, cells enter a state where they can no longer divide, contributing to aging and age-related diseases. This is why scientists are now researching the lengthening of telomeres which may do the opposite and increase our lifespan / slow down aging.
Factors like stress and lifestyle may influence the rate of telomere shortening but HBOT has been shown to increase the length of these telomeres suggesting it may be a therapy for longevity.
When Else Should Hyperbaric Oxygen be Utilised?
Air & Gas Embolism
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Smoke Inhalation
Gas Gangrene
Ischemias
Decompression Illness
Exceptional Blood Loss
Intracranial Abscess
Acute Migraine
Multiple Sclerosis
Non Haemorrhage Stroke
Diabetic Complications
Are Side Effects Possible ?
The most common side effect is barotrauma to the ears and sinuses. To minimise this risk, patients learn to clear their ears during compression. Other side effects are more rare, but may include oxygen toxicity and claustrophobia.
How Are Treatments Given & How Often ?
The chamber is compressed with air and the patients breathe oxygen through masks. Treatment duration, chamber pressure and the total number of treatments are based upon established protocols for each diagnosis.
Conditions such as CO poisoning may only require one or two treatments, while wound healing may require 20-30 treatments. Patients are regularly evaluated to ensure that they will benefit from continued treatment.
Are There Any Contraindications ?
(Prohibiting Factors)
Untreated pneumothorax, congenital spherocytosis, Disulfiram (Antabuse), Doxorubicin (Adriamycin), Cisplatinum, Emphysema & Mafenide Acetate (Sulfamylon) may be contraindications.
The HBOT Centre I personally use:
The National Hyperbaric Centre
Address: 1, 54 Strand Street Great, North City, Dublin 1, Ireland
“Stay Healthy”