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Can Hyperbaric Therapy Help Counter Autism in Kids?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is becoming a growing concern across the nation for doctors and caregivers alike.
Recent statistics provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that 1 out of 150 kids display the symptoms of this affliction in the United States alone. The surging number of ASD cases across the nation has spurred the medical community to find and prescribe suitable treatment solutions that are viable and safe for children.
The last decade has witnessed a sharp increase in the use of HBOT for autism relied on. Initiating the right treatment methods such as HBOT for autism-related issues in the early stages is proving to be a life-saver for several kids ailing from this disorder.
What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodegenerative condition that can significantly affect the cognitive functions of a child. Kids with ASD are known to experience challenges whilst communicating or engaging in simple day-to-day activities.
Autistic kids often struggle with basic issues such as:
- Memory retention.
- Social interaction.
- Motor skills.
- Irritable bowel movement.
- Repetitive behavior.
- Anger management.
These conditions are visible in kids from a nascent stage. Any delay in providing adequate treatment post the initial diagnosis can result in the children behaving erratically or turn reclusive.
What Are The Symptoms Of ASD?
The most commonly reported symptoms in patients with ASD are:
- Cerebral hypoperfusion.
- Oxidative stress.
- Mitochondrial dysfunction.
How Do Kids Develop Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Medical experts attribute the causes of autism to varied factors.
A few have been listed herewith:
- Genetic disposition.
- Environmental impact.
- Prenatal complications.
- Children born to older parents.
- Prescription drug use by expectant mothers.
However, clarity on the veracity of these claims remains unfounded and efforts by researchers to unravel the actual causes of autism are still ongoing.
How Does Hyperbaric Therapy Help Counter Autism In Kids?
Medical experts treating cases of autism are increasingly recommending HBOT for autism-related complications.
Hyperbaric researchers recently conducted a randomized, controlled study on a group of 62 autistic kids aged between 2 to 7 and the results have been quite encouraging.
The children underwent 40 hours of hyperbaric therapy for four weeks. The following observations were recorded by the research team post the HBOT program:
- Improved tolerance to loud sounds.
- Reduced irritability.
- Steady eye-contact.
- Increased responsiveness.
- Enhanced social interaction.
HBOT For Autism Relief:
Pure oxygen, an integral element of HBOT, has been used by physicians for centuries to provide relief to individuals ailing from a range of health disorders.
During the early 1960s’, doctors in the US Navy used hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to provide relief to deep-sea divers for decompression sickness.
Gradually, hyperbaric experts realized that this alternative therapy could also be applied to treat varied ailments such as:
- Gas and air embolism.
- Non-healing diabetic wounds.
- Radiation injury.
- Cyanide poisoning.
- Burn injury.
- Necrotizing skin infections.
- Acute anemia.
Apart from these above-mentioned FDA approved conditions, researchers discovered that HBOT can be successfully used to treat patients with an autism spectrum disorder.
As medical professionals claim that ASD is linked to pre-dominantly low levels of oxygen in the body, hyperbaric therapy is being widely recommended by specialists, as an ideal treatment program for autistic patients.
The HBOT Process Decoded:
During the HBOT process, the autistic child is placed into a hyperbaric chamber and administered pressurized pure oxygen at levels that are 1.2 to 3 times greater than normal atmospheric pressure.
The pressurized oxygen instantly dissolves into the body fluids of the child and boosts the oxygen-rich plasma to all the parts of the brain that are affected due to the reduced blood-oxygen levels. The surge of oxygen-rich plasma stimulates the dormant neurons in the brain and activates fresh cell regeneration.
Hyperbaric experts have observed a significant improvement in the autistic patients’ condition post undergoing regular HBOT.
HBOT For Improving Cerebral Hypoperfusion:
Cerebral hypoperfusion is linked to repetitive behavior, affected facial expressions and distorted speech patterns.
Autistic kids have displayed a marked increase in their cerebral perfusion levels post HBOT.
HBOT For Reducing Oxidative Stress:
Oxidative stress is known to reduce antioxidant enzymes that are vital for brain health. Patients have recorded healthy antioxidant enzyme levels post undergoing hyperbaric therapy.
3.HBOT For Lowering Inflammation:
Neuro-inflammation, gastrointestinal inflammation, and immune dysregulation are serious conditions that occur due to abnormal cytokine levels, leading to health setbacks such as disruptive behavior, inflammatory bowel disease, and chronic diarrhea.
Autistic kids undergoing HBOT have experienced substantial relief in their condition post hyperbaric therapy as this alternative treatment is known to regulate cytokine production.
4.HBOT For Regulating Mitochondrial Dysfunction:
ASD is known to cause mitochondrial dysfunction in children. A few related complications such as higher CSF lactate levels, decreased cerebral blood flow and brain oxygen levels are potential health hazards that disrupt the patients’ overall well-being.
Controlled studies conducted by hyperbaric researchers have revealed that HBOT aids in elevating both the brain oxygen level and cerebral blood flow. A decrease in the CSF lactate levels have also been observed in the patients post the therapy.
The current success rate of HBOT for autism relief is definitely enabling kids to dream of leading a healthy life by effectively countering and overcoming this debilitating disorder.
Sebastian was born and raised in the busy city of Abbottabad. As a journalist, Saad Mushtaq has contributed to many online publications including the PAK Today and the Huffing Post. In regards to academics, Saad Mushtaq earned a degree in business from the Abbottabad UST, Havelian. Saad Mushtaq follows the money and covers all aspects of emerging tech here at The Hear Up.Thanks
