HBOT is a centuries-old treatment used for a variety of medical conditions including burns, non-healing wounds and bends. It's now being studied as a possible helper for PTSD too. HBOT has been around since the 1800s and lately, there is even more interest in its use. So, how does this hyperbaric oxygen treatment work on new problems like Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? Stay tuned to know how
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that can develop in individuals who have experienced or witnessed traumatic events, such as natural disasters, serious accidents, terrorist acts, war/combat, rape/sexual assault, historical trauma, intimate partner violence, and bullying. This disorder affects a person's mental, physical, social, and spiritual well-being.
People with PTSD often experience intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings long after the traumatic event has ended. They may relive the event through flashbacks or nightmares and experience emotions like sadness, fear, or anger.
Patients may feel detached or estranged from others and avoid situations or people that remind them of the traumatic event. Common symptoms include strong negative reactions to ordinary occurrences, such as loud noises or accidental touches.
Symptoms of PTSD
Flashbacks and severe emotional or physical reactions triggered by reminders of the traumatic event.
Avoiding discussions, thoughts, places, people, and activities related to the trauma, leads to emotional detachment and withdrawal from loved ones.
Persistent negative thoughts and feelings, memory problems, emotional numbness, and difficulty maintaining relationships.
Heightened startle response, constant vigilance, sleep disturbances, irritability, aggression, and self-destructive behaviors like excessive drinking.
The Connection Between PTSD and Brain Function
PTSD can coexist with traumatic brain injury (TBI), especially among veterans. Neuroimaging tests reveal that PTSD affects multiple brain areas, including hippocampal atrophy, altered activity in the insular cortex, and hypoactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
These brain regions are critical for distinguishing between safe and unsafe conditions, interpreting stimuli, and regulating fear conditioning and cognitive and emotional interactions. In PTSD, these areas often function abnormally.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy PTSD treatment (HBOT for PTSD)
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves delivering 100 percent oxygen under increased pressure to help treat PTSD. This increased oxygen heals damaged brain tissue, improves blood flow, reduces inflammation, and promotes the growth of new tissue and blood vessels.
How Hyperbaric Oxygen Works for PTSD Patients
HBOT helps address the brain abnormalities seen in PTSD patients. By providing 100 percent oxygen under increased pressure, HBOT aids in healing damaged brain tissue, improving blood flow, reducing inflammation, and fostering new tissue and blood vessel growth. This therapy can be particularly beneficial for veterans and others who suffer from PTSD, as it targets the neurological damage underlying the disorder.
Study Shows Effectiveness of HBOT on PTSD
Recent studies have explored the benefits of HBOT for individuals with TBI and PTSD. One notable study by Dr. Paul Harsh, published in Medical Gas Research, involved 29 active-duty or retired military personnel with mild TBIs and some with PTSD. Participants underwent 40 HBOT treatments.
The study found that 52 percent of participants who met the PTSD Checklist-Military diagnosis no longer met the diagnostic threshold after treatment. Additionally, improvements were observed in general anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms.
Of the 12 participants who expressed suicidal thoughts at the beginning of the study, ten no longer felt suicidal after treatment. Dr. Harsh remarked that the reduction in PTSD symptoms within a four-week period was one of the greatest reported with any treatment.
Lakeshore Hyperbaric Oxygen - Helping PTSD Patients
Lakeshore Hyperbaric Oxygen Chicago is at the forefront of developing independent hyperbaric facilities to aid in the recovery process for PTSD patients. Our hyperbaric chambers are designed for maximum comfort and healing. We are proud to assist military veterans in their recovery journey, providing the dramatic health benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to those afflicted with PTSD.
If you or someone you know is suffering from PTSD, Lakeshore Hyperbaric Oxygen Chicago is here to help. Our team is dedicated to supporting veterans and others on their path to recovery.
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