Resources / HBOT for Autoimmune

The most basic description of an Autoimmune Disorder is simply, a dysfunction of the immune system. However, this disorder can be very complicated and includes many different health conditions such as; Lupus, Crohn’s Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ulcerative Colitis, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia (ITP), and Scleroderma. The specific cause of the various diseases is not clearly known however, harmful inflammatory substances are found in patients with this type of dysfunction. There is approximately a 70% association with multiple chronic infections, which include bacterial, viral, and fungal.

To aid a patient suffering from an Autoimmune Disorder, the Wholistic MD clinic first creates an individualized plan for each patient. The main goal of management is to support and strengthen the immune system. This can be done with supplements, a specialized diet, and the addition of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). The addition of HBOT amplifies management success due to the increased oxygenation of the immune system as well as the aid provided to killing the various organisms that have a high association, and probable causal role in the autoimmune process. HBOT decreases the level of inflammatory leukotrienes, acts as an immune modulator, and improves the cognitive function in many patients suffering from an autoimmune disorder.

Specifically, when there is a high association with Scleroerma and Raynaud’s phenomenon, significant vascular improvements after HBOT have been show. In addition to vascular improvement, mitochondrial improved function has also been demonstrated in these cases.