It seems the world would have you believe prescription drugs are the only answer to dealing with ADD/ADHD, Autism, Alzheimer’s and Dementia. With medical conditions involving the brain, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help.
The theory behind using hyperbaric oxygen therapy on children with autism is that the increase in oxygen will reduce excess swelling of brain tissue, increase cerebral blood flow and stimulate cerebral tissue. The belief is that all of these results will allow the brain to do its job better, resulting in a person who is more "present" in regards to social interaction and communication.
Clinical studies cite increased eye contact, decrease in sensitivity to noise and an increase in general social awareness. We recommend treating autism with 40, one hour sessions, one every day.
Studies about Hyperbaric oxygen and autism:
Hyperbaric treatment for children with autism: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Rossignol DA, Rossignol LW, Smith S, Schneider C, Logerquist S, Usman A, Neubrander J, Madren EM, Hintz G, Grushkin B, Mumper EA. BMC Pediatr. 2009 Mar 13;9:21. PMID: 19284641 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Thai autistic children. Chungpaibulpatana J, Sumpatanarax T, Thadakul N, Chantharatreerat C, Konkaew M, Aroonlimsawas M. J Med Assoc Thai. 2008 Aug;91(8):1232-8. PMID: 18788696 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
A review of recent reports on autism: 1000 studies published in 2007. Hughes JR. Epilepsy Behav. 2008 Oct;13(3):425-37. Epub 2008 Jul 31. Review. PMID: 18627794 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
The effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on oxidative stress, inflammation, and symptoms in children with autism: an open-label pilot study. Rossignol DA, Rossignol LW, James SJ, Melnyk S, Mumper E. BMC Pediatr. 2007 Nov 16;7:36. PMID: 18005455 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy might improve certain pathophysiological findings in autism. Rossignol DA. Med Hypotheses. 2007;68(6):1208-27. Epub 2006 Dec 4. PMID: 17141962 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
People suffering from ADD/ADHD have seen results using hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Studies show that people with ADD/ADHD have reduced cerebral blood flow. Environmental toxins also tend to escalate ADD/ADHD symptoms. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps to increase blood flow to the brain and with the use of oxygen will flush out those toxins and help cells and tissue to heal from their harmful effects.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases oxygen to the brain and enhances cognitive functioning. Brain scans have already proven this. There is a significant increase in brain function in patients who have undergone HBOT.
Articles on hyperbaric oxygen therapy and ADD/ADHD
Helping Parents Make Sense of ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment
Inflammation is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s (AD) and Dementia and plays an important role in the damage caused by this disease. For three decades, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs: aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen) have been known to reduce the severity of AD. Research studies of brain trauma have found that inflammation can be further reduced and controlled by use of the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. The hyperbaric oxygen effect on inflammation could help reduce and reverse the damage seen in AD and dementia.
Alzheimer’s is caused by a buildup of protein plaques and tangles that slowly destroy brain cells and tissues. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has not been shown to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s or other age-related dementias; however, some physicians and families say hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps manage Alzheimer's symptoms and improve activities of daily living by increasing the circulation of oxygenated blood to functioning areas of the brain.