HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY FOR traumatic brain injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious public health problem in the United States. The application of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) for TBI started in 1960s. Brain injuries are often slow to heal from the lack of blood flow to the damaged area. When the damage is extensive, it requires more time, oxygen, and nutrients to heal. Through the high-pressure environment in HBOT, the blood is oxygenated to a higher level than normal, delivering oxygen to the damaged tissue.
HBOT has been shown to improve the condition of the brain and alleviate some of the common symptoms, including better blood circulation, faster blood vessel healing, and decreased inflammation. It can promote recovery of neurological function and improve the cognitive function and prognosis of patients with severe traumatic brain injury.
HBOT can dramatically and permanently improve symptoms of chronic TBI months or even many years after the original head injury.
Some of the ways HBOT helps are:
Increase in Tissue Oxygenation: Oxygen in a high-pressure environment that HBOT provides floods the body with increased oxygen. This allows oxygen to pass to brain tissue that may be cut off due to damaged arteries and capillaries.
Inflammation Suppression: In TBIs, the normal inflammatory response to injury can contribute to secondary brain damage. Reducing the inflammation response is essential.
Decreases Cell Death: The increased levels of oxygen delivered through HBOT can reduce cell death. This helps to preserve brain tissue and promote recovery.
Reduces Intracranial Pressure (ICP): HBOT plays a critical role in reducing intracranial pressure. It decreases endothelin. These peptides constrict blood vessels and increase blood pressure, which in turn increases pressure in the brain. HBOT and hyperbaric oxygen also improve blood flow in and around the brain as well as decrease cerebral vascular resistance in traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
Promotes Neurogenesis and Angiogenesis: Neurogenesis is the growth of new tissue while angiogenesis is the growth of new blood vessels. Increased levels of oxygen help to heal damaged tissue while stimulating new tissue growth. In the same way, it promotes the development of new blood vessels. While this mechanism of HBOT is beneficial at the time of injury, it also provides great benefit to those with post-concussion syndrome.
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