Anecdotal evidence is based on personal observation and case studies, rather than on the results of double blind clinical trials. When someone undergoes HBOT and their condition improves, this is referred to as anecdotal evidence.
Angiogenesis
Angiogenesis is the formation and development of new blood vessels. HBOT stimulates blood vessel growth throughout the body and the brain.
ATA
ATA refers to atmospheres of pressure. At sea level, or 1.0 ATA, atmospheric pressure is 14.7 pounds per square inch. Portable chambers typically go to 1.3 ATA, which is approximately 11 feet below sea level, or 4 psi.
Dive
A session in a hyperbaric chamber is referred to as a dive.
Dose
Your dose of HBOT will depend on the total number of dives, the frequency of the dives, the depth of the dives, and whether you dive with or without additional oxygen.
Double Blind Studies
In double blind studies, neither the subjects nor the researchers know who is receiving the actual treatment and who is undergoing a sham treatment. Some double blind studies of HBOT have shown similar improvement in patients undergoing portable HBOT with room air vs. hard HBOT with additional oxygen.
Hard Chamber
High pressure chambers in hospitals and clinics are typically referred to as hard chambers. There chambers go to 3 ATA and 100% oxygen. There is a fire hazard associated with 100% oxygen under pressure, so precautions are necessary to reduce risks.
HBOT
HBOT is an abbreviation for hyperbaric oxygen therapy. HBOT is a medical treatment which enhances the body’s natural healing process by delivering oxygen under pressure, increasing the oxygen content in the blood and in the cerebral spinal fluid.
Hypoxia
Hypoxia refers to a decrease in blood flow. Cerebral hypoxia refers to a decrease in blood flow to the brain, which typically occurs during heart attacks, stroke, and head trauma. HBOT helps to restore blood flow to damaged tissues.
Idling Neurons
In a hypoxic brain injury, whether the injury is traumatic, toxic, stroke, cerebral palsy, near drowning, etc., oxygen fails to reach parts of the brain. As a result, some injured neurons die, and some injured neurons remain alive but dormant. It is these injured neurons, or idling neurons, that can be reactivated by HBOT. These neurons can survive for years or decades after the original injury. The greater the number of idling neurons, the better one’s response will be to HBOT.
Off Label
HBOT is frequently prescribed off-label to treat many non-FDA approved conditions. These conditions include autism, cerebral palsy, lyme disease, multiple sclerosis, sports injuries, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and toxic brain injury.
Oxygen Concentrator
Oxygen concentrators turn room air into 95% oxygen. Oxygen concentrators are typically used with portable chambers. Patients breathe oxygen through a mask.
Monoplace Chamber
Monoplace chambers are high pressure chambers that hold one person. The chambers are pressurized with 100% oxygen. These chambers are typically found in HBOT clinics.
Mild HBOT
Mild HBOT refers to low pressure HBOT, typically 1.1 ATA to 1.5 ATA. Brain injuries and neurological disorders are typically treated at low pressures.
Multiplace Chamber
Multiplace chambers are high pressure chambers that hold two or more people. The chambers are pressurized with compressed air, and patients breathe oxygen through a mask or hood. These chambers are typically found in hospitals.
Neuron
A neuron is a brain cell. The adult human brain is comprised of approximately 100 billion neurons.
Neuroplasticity
The brain has the ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections in response to injury or disease. The neurons are able generate new nerve endings to connect neurons whose links were injured or severed, forming new neural pathways in the brain. HBOT helps to accelerate neuroregeneration.
Portable Chamber
Portable, or soft chambers, are low pressure chambers that hold 1-2 people. Most people with home chambers own portable chambers. These chambers typically use room air and pressurize to 1.3 ATA.
PSI
Portable chambers typically pressurize to 4 psi, or pounds per square inch. Hard chambers typically pressurize to 35 psi.
Regression
Regression can result from too few consecutive HBOT treatments. Most doctors recommend an initial group of 40 dives, with a 2-4 week break, followed by a second set of 40 dives. Following this protocol helps to avoid regression. Many conditions require ongoing HBOT treatments to avoid regression.
Room Air
Room air is 21% oxygen at sea level, or 1 ATA. Room air pressurized to 1.3 ATA is 26% oxygen. Portable chambers using room air deliver 26% oxygen to the patient. Even small increases in plasma oxygen levels can have a beneficial effect on your health.
SPECT Scan
A SPECT scan, or Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography scan, is a brain scan that measures brain function by showing blood flow in the brain. A before and after SPECT scan can be used to measure HBOT’s effects on blood flow in the brain.
Treatment Protocol
Most doctors recommend an initial group of 40 dives, one - two per day, for 60 - 90 minutes each, 5-6 days per week. After a 2-4 week break, a second round of 40 dives is usually recommended. Depending on their progress, some patients do hundreds of dives over a period of years. Speak to your doctor to determine which treatment protocol is best for your condition.
