Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment (HBOT) has
been used since 2004 for some patients diagnosed with autism and
other co-morbid medical issues.
What is HBOT?
Mild HBOT is a safe, effective way to get more oxygen into the body
at the cellular level by using pressurized air chambers. According
to the Laws of Physics, an increase in atmospheric pressure allows
for more gas to be dissolved into any given liquid. Oxygen exists as
a gas at room temperature, and the human body is made up almost
entirely of water.
There are two types of mild HBOT therapy prescribed by physicians:
1) 100% oxygen – used in clinic only
2) Ambient or concentrated oxygen – used in home
100% oxygen is approved for in-clinic use only following precise
manufacturer specifications.
Filtered ambient air is used with an additional oxygen concentrator
to safely administer oxygen to the body. By allowing more oxygen to
penetrate otherwise oxygen deficient areas, relief for many common
ailments can be sought, because HBOT enables the body to carry out
oxygen dependent processes by dissolving oxygen directly into the
blood, plasma and cerebrospinal fluids.
Mild HBOT is prescribed at 1.3 – 1.5 Atmospheres (ATA.)
Some doctors are still studying the effects of HBOT treatment for
children affected with autism to see if it helps treating co-morbid
issues. Issues could include:
healing the gut and brain inflammation (two that may be separate
issues or experienced simultaneously)
blood flow to key areas of the brain
dealing with gut parasites, yeast or bacteria
help in all four areas
What Type Of Hbot Therapy Is Available?
Soft/portable in home hyperbaric – no concentrator
(NOT 100% oxygen)
Soft/portable in home hyperbaric – with an oxygen concentrator
(NOT 100% oxygen)
Hard chamber in clinic – with no mask
(Sometimes this can be just ambient air with pressure)
Hard chamber in clinic – with a mask
(Sometimes 100% oxygen and sometimes 100% oxygen mixed with ambient
air.)
Hard chamber in clinic – with a hood
(Sometimes 100% oxygen and sometimes 100% mixed with ambient air.)
It is important to ask what variation of delivery each clinic has.
Your treating physician should make recommendations as to which
variation to pursue for your child. A prescription is required for
any HBOT treatment.
Types of HBOT Treatment
This is where treatments vary and providers argue which treatment is
best. This is information is provided as an overview to parents
considering this treatment for their children.
Typically in hard chambers providing 100% oxygen, electronics of any
kind ARE NOT ALLOWED in the units for safety reasons. Some providers
have wired their units for music or for watching video on DVD with
viewing portholes. You need to inquire if this is available for your
child.
Many of the soft chambers have been approved for home use and do not
use 100% oxygen. These chambers typical use an oxygen concentrator.
A concentrator filters the air in the room providing a higher level
of oxygenation to the air in the chamber. The percent concentration
of the air in the chamber with an oxygen concentrator has been
debated to be somewhere between 40-80%. While I realize there is a
big difference in the level of the concentration of oxygen, I have
to keep in mind that here in smoggy Southern California, the air we
breathe is about 15-20% oxygen.
Please note these are my opinions based on the research I have done
and professionals I have spoken to. I highly recommend doing your
own research regarding the different units and outpatient services
available.
HBOT & Supplements – a very important combination
It is important to note that many doctors recommend HBOT for
children on the spectrum IN CONJUNCTION WITH antioxidant
supplements. HBOT treatments can cause additional oxidative stress
to patients.
Supplements to consider while providing
HBOT treatments are: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, CoQ10, glutathione,
and selenium. Dosing of these supplements are based on the age,
weight and testing of the patients. Please see your doctor for
additional information and dosing recommendations for your child.
Questions to ask HBOT providers
Each clinic has a different way to deliver HBOT therapy. These are
some questions I found valuable in selecting an HBOT therapy center:
1) What does the child wear?
2) Can a supervising adult go in the chamber as well?
3) If you have two children with autism – can you get treatment for
both at the same time? What is the additional price for treating two
children?
4) What is the actual treatment time (at full pressure)?
5) What can the child play with while receiving treatment in the
chamber?
6) Can the child watch a movie? (Ask if you should bring the DVD
player or they provide DVD players?)
7) Does your clinic have experience working with children affected
by autism? (Ask them to describe experience.)
8) Does your clinic allow us to have a meet and greet prior to our
appointment for therapy?
9) Does your clinic bill insurance directly or is pre-payment
required (If pre-payment is required is there a discount for upfront
pre payments?)
10) Does your clinic have staff that is medically supervising HBOT
treatments?
11) Will your clinic follow your doctor’s prescription?
12) How is therapy administered? (i.e. consecutive days? Open on
weekends?)
We hope these questions help you in finding a HBOT therapy provider.
It is recommended to interview at least two providers before you
make a selection.
