HBOT and Cognitive Effects After Surgery

With two applications of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy before and post-surgery, cognitive defects may be reduced by 30%. This is especially important in diabetics, aged, and individuals with known underlying atherosclerotic disease, and where lengthy surgery with or without significant blood loss occurs. This is also noted in patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery. One of the underlying mechanisms is reduction in white blood cells and reduction in re-perfusion injury, thereby decreasing post-operative inflammation.

Another important place for HBOT, is in plastic surgery, where swelling is reduced, healing is accelerated, and scarring is reduced. Even in the case of finding cognitive defects after surgery, HBOT is still effective in delayed management.

The brain is the most important muscle in the body, controlling memory, personality and motor functions. Injuries to the brain are often complex and traumatic, happening suddenly.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health issue. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy provides the brain (and body) with a host of benefits to help in the management of many symptoms/conditions related to brain function.

Emerging evidence has shown the neuroprotective effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). Because of the infiltration of increased pressurized oxygen, HBOT provides your body with greater oxygen levels disseminating throughout the tissues and blood in your body. HBOT can also act as a neuroprotective mechanism with either early or delayed multiple sessions of low atmospheric pressure, which reduces intracranial pressure, improves mortality and promotes neurobehavioral recovery.

HBOT effects also have a complementary, synergistic action which improves tissue oxygenation, cellular metabolism and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

There are numerous uses of HBOT that focus on more complex neurological disorders including:

• Autism
• Multiple sclerosis
• Stroke
• Lyme disease

Neurological cells play an important role in the above conditions. Brain injuries where the body needs help with neurological function, such as repeated concussions, or where cells need to reactivate after they’ve been incapacitated from a temporary lack of blood flow, as in the case of stroke, can be aided through HBOT.

This reactivation process is known as mitochondrial respiration (energy production) and it enables cells to improve and make enzymes throughout the body in order to run more efficiently in their most basic functions.

At the Wholistic MD clinic, we have designed protocols that aid in nerve regeneration for brain injuries. We recommend 20 to 40 one-hour sessions for noticeable recovery. The result is improved tissue oxygenation and cellular metabolism, as well as anti-inflammatory effects.

Schedule an appointment today and learn more about the promising effects of HBOT!