Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Children with Autism

Hyperbolic oxygen therapy is a prescribed high pressured oxygen treatment. HBO is useful in treating a variety of health-related conditions and syndromes.

The cells in the body need sufficient oxygen to remain active, preserve, repair and maintain the cellular function of the body. Conditions treated with hyperbolic oxygen therapy include severe infections, air bubbles in the blood vessels and wounds that do not heal.

Breathing ample oxygen at a prescribed pressure can:

• Increase the volume of oxygen in the blood; dissolve it in the lymph, plasma and the cerebrospinal fluids that surround the spinal cord and refreshing the areas around the brain. This helps in healing and treating a number of diseases.
• Helps in the renewal of blood circulation in the blood vessels in the body.
• HBOT also helps in easing swellings, inflammation while strengthening the immune system and regenerating the stem cells.
• It helps to increase antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase, promoting the immune system to fight harmful diseases and infections.

The body’s tissues need a constant supply of oxygen to stay functional. When the tissues are damaged, they require more oxygen to survive. Hyperbolic oxygen therapy helps in increasing the oxygen level in the blood. Thus, restoring normal blood level and tissue functions to promote recovery.

Brain injury is the main cause of disability. A reduction of blood circulation hampers the oxygen supply to the brain. Hyperbolic oxygen therapy (HBOT) treatment prevents and minimises secondary brain damage and helps inproviding the required level of oxygen to the brain.

Inflammation in ASD and the Effects of HBOT

Studies have shed light that HBOT also improved brain metabolism and function in patients with autism. The treatment using HBOT in children with ASD has reported overall behavioural improvements. Reports have stated that treatment with HBOT improves the social interaction skills in a child with ASD. A striking improvement in behaviour, verbalisation, memory, and cognitive functions are also achieved after HBOT treatment. Children with autism having acute chronic diarrhea can experience normal bowel functions with HBOT treatment.

Cerebral hypo-perfusions, gastrointestinal inflammations, neuroinflammation, immune dysregulation, oxidative stress, neurotransmitter abnormalities and many other areas can be co-related to various autistic symptoms. Hyperbolic oxygen therapy has been used to compensate for the lessened blood flow, thus helping in the increase of the supply of oxygen to the cerebral area. Hypo-perfusion in children with autism exhibits repetitive and stereotypical behaviours, and also a loss in communication skill. A hyperbolic oxygen therapy (HBOT) for them is often prescribed to increase the oxygen level and healing the damaged tissues.

Conclusion

Hyperbolic oxygen therapy (HBOT) treatment has become popular in treating the autism spectrum disorder. It helps in managing a wide range of autism symptoms such as behaviour, communication, socialisation, awareness, etc. A bright ray of hope for the parents of children with autism.