- Headaches
- Arthritis
- FibromyalgiaIn this review, we focus on the effectiveness of HBO in fibromyalgia syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, myofascial pain syndrome, migraine, and cluster headaches. HBO may be beneficial if appropriate patients are selected.
- Sinusitis
- Stroke RehabilitationFifteen months after his heart attack, Kathy and Steve visited his original neurologist. By this time, Steve was now fully responsive, remembered the doctors name and said “Hullo, Doctor” when he was wheeled into the office. The specialist physician was both amazed and pleased. “It is now obvious that Steve had a stroke rather than a myocardial infarct. He is a man in a barrel. ” The neurologist then agreed to full stroke rehabilitation for Steve at the insurance company’s cost. “It could be up to five years before he is able to walk,” the neurologist cautioned Kathy.
- Pediatric CareDr. Danielle conducts a busy privately owned practice with a stated objective o assisting patients with integrating Alternative and Complementary Medicine with Traditional Medicine. She is a member of the Underwater Hyperbaric Medical Society and a Fellowship status with the American Academy of Pediatrics. She is also a member of AAP Section on Complimentary and Alternative Medicine and the National Center for Homeopathy.
- Primary CareIf you have a Lyme Disease positive diagnosis, know that it is probable that you also have co-infections from the same tick that bit you. There never has been a more important moment to concentrate (if you can – Lyme patients are allowed mental cloudiness) or have your primary care-giver drill down into cellular science and understand the diagnosis and defy the prognosis.
- Emergency CareChildren’s Hospital oncologists and surgeons immediately called for an in-house investigational review board (IRB) which reviewed the available literature. The IRB authorized outpatient treatment for Carson with full emergency-care ambulance transport to the Center. The little patient’s medical insurer reviewed the physician’s orders and approved treatments.
- Infectious DiseasesThe inclusion of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) in the treatment of Chronic Long-Term Lyme Disease (CLD), or the preferred term of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) as “Post-Lyme Syndrome” (PLS) – Lyme Disease is controversial, even amongst physicians that have their own HBOT centers. Changes are being made constantly in treatment (Tx) protocols. Reasons for part-answers to the bullet point questions are given after scrolling to the base of this page …
- Bronchitis
- Diarrhea
- Pneumonia
- Glaucoma
- Obstetrics
- Pelvic Pain
- Pregnancy
- Labor and Delivery
- Internal MedicineDr. Beatrice has had and continues to have an extraordinary career in clinical research since she first graduated as BS, Physics, Summa Cum Laude (4.0 GPA at age 19), University of Southern California. By 1988 her passion for medical research led her to a PhD, Biology, University of California, San Diego and then on to her Medical Doctorate in1989 MD, University of California, San Diego. Dr Beatrice achieved Board Certification, American Board of Internal Medicine, in 1993. A prolific researcher scientist, Dr. Beatrice has published 40 peer-review papers, 22 abstracts and technical reports. She has authored and published five books, one of which was in the top ten RAND list in 2000.
- Interstitial CystitisWe studied efficacy of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) in 8 patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS). Mean age of the patients was 53 years (35-72 years), mean duration of the disease 7.5 years (6-17 years). Ulcerative IC/PBS was diagnosed in 7 of 8 patients.
- NeurologyBarnes and co-workers publishing in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, demonstrated a remarkable slowing of cerebellar function (coordination) deterioration in their report of 120 MS patients one year following hyperbaric oxygen treatment. Other studies have shown an improvement in bladder function in HBO treated MS patients.
- AutismEach small patient with a health challenge is unique. Their circumstances are idiosyncratic: no other child has an identical condition. Developmental problems include autism, cerebral palsy, near drowning, toxic encephalopathy (including mold, smoke inhalation, exposure and/or ingestion of toxic chemicals). Our advice to parents and care-givers is to learn about and understand the diagnosis and then defy the prognosis. In short, parents cannot learn too much about their child’s unique situation. The internet provides a wonderful tool for obtaining information, but be sure to check the dates of publication as neuroscience has changed dramatically in the last six years. A gloomy prognosis for your child from a “specialist” may not hold true with the scientific discoveries and revelations of up-to-date science.
- Multiple Sclerosis• Almost all PLS patients have been misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) and Lou Gherig’s disease (ALS) because of the symptoms.
- EpilepsyLet’s get back to what happened to those frogmen of World War 2 and examine how oxygen toxicity affects the central nervous system, neurons and the body’s other cells. Most modern day seizures that occur in hyperbaric chambers are due to these factors—minus the cold Atlantic water. Paradoxically, the actual clinical experience of children who undergo repeated HDOT (HBOT) treatments have seen their seizure disorders permanently disappear. Frederick Cramer, MD, of the San Francisco Institute for Hyperbaric Medicine, is a leading proponent of using HBOT treatment for epilepsy as an alternative to a lifetime of anti-seizure medications. Over the past 25 years, he has experienced significant success with patients using this modality and is launching a new pilot study to gather additional data about its efficacy.
- Depression
- PsychiatryThe Mind and The Brain – Neuroplasticity and the power of Mental Force. The author, Jefferey M. Schwartz, M.D. is a research professor of psychiatry at UCLA School of Medicine.
- Anxiety
- Diabetes Care
- Thyroid
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- MRIThe usual gloomy prognosis offered by neurologists for stroke patients is now changing because of their ability to accurately assess damaged brain cells and target those cells that can be rehabilitated using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and nuclear PET and SPECT scans. In the last ten years, this quantum-physics technology has caused a paradigm shift in the attitude of neuroscientists and their understanding of how neuropasticity and the power of mental force can aid in the recovery of quality of life for stroke victims.
- Computed TomographyA 25-year-old male military veteran presented with diagnoses of post concussion syndrome and post traumatic stress disorder three years after loss of consciousness from an explosion in combat. The patient underwent single photon emission computed tomography brain blood flow imaging before and after a block of thirty-nine 1.5 atmospheres absolute hyperbaric oxygen treatments. The patient experienced a permanent marked improvement in his post-concussive symptoms, physical exam findings, and brain blood flow. In addition, he experienced a complete resolution of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. After treatment he became and has remained employed for eight consecutive months. This case suggests a novel treatment for the combined diagnoses of blast-induced post-concussion syndrome and post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Chemotherapy“Secondary cancer: Perhaps the most devastating late complication of treatment for any type of cancer, not just RMS, is the development of a second form of cancer. The use of chemotherapy and radiation can cause second cancers to develop. Chemotherapy-associated secondary cancers are most commonly leukemias (typically Acute Myeloid Leukemia [AML]), and may be associated with the use of alkylating agents (cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide), and topoisomerase II inhibitors (etoposide and doxorubicin). The risk of secondary leukemia is, fortunately, quite low (generally between 1 and 2%). Radiation is also associated with the development of second cancers, most commonly other sarcomas (either in bone or soft tissue). At the doses of radiation that are currently used to treat children with RMS, the risk of secondary sarcomas is approximately 5% at 20 years (Ref. 82). Unlike the situation with secondary leukemias, which typically develop within four years of treatment, most cases of secondary sarcomas do not develop until 5+ years after the end of treatment (Ref. 82). The contribution of underlying “genetic risk factors” to the development of treatment-induced cancers is being actively investigated.
- Radiation TherapyRadiation Therapy and the treatment of cancer is often used in conjunction. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy should not replace medical protocol, but can assist with alleviating many of radiation’s side effects.
- General Surgery
- OrthopedicsThe bone cell reaction to treatment pressures may explain why some experimental animal studies on the effect of HBOT in orthopedics stand at odds with the others.
- Wound CareMany physicians that work in hospital HBOT and Wound Care Departments are inhibited by reimbursement requirements and are unable to treat many of the patients that they know HBOT would assist in recovery.
- NeurosurgerySubsequently, a number of substances including endotoxin and cytokines etc. have proven effective in inducing ischemic tolerance in the neurocyte. Unfortunately, the application of these substances to the clinical practice of neurosurgery still remains questionable for their toxicity or side effects.
- GangreneMETHODS: We queried all centers in the University Health Consortium (UHC) database from 2008 to 2010 that have their own HBOT facilities (n=14). Cases of NSTI were identified by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) diagnosis codes, which included Fournier gangrene (608.83), necrotizing fasciitis (728.86), and gas gangrene (040.0). Status of HBOT was identified by the presence (HBOT) or absence (control) of ICD-9 procedure code 93.95. Our cohort was risk-stratified and matched by UHC’s validated severity of illness (SOI) score. Comparisons were then made using univariate tests of association and multivariable logistic regression.
- Vascular SurgeryOur newly renovated luxurious San Diego Clinic includes seven exam rooms, patient’s kitchen, three physician’s offices, plasma TV for caregivers and little brothers and sisters – and plenty of the latest movies to while away the time. Our Gateway Medical Division shares five-star medical space with pediatricians, sporting specialist, a dialysis center as well as chronic wound care and including a vascular surgery suite – two full operating rooms.
- LiposuctionHospital-based hyperbaric medicine departments usually will not accept patients unless they are in a life or limb threatening crisis. As well, hospital HBOT departments charge patients more than $1,800.00 per 90 minute treatment in their chambers. Few patients can afford this. Private centers provide hospital standard care at a fraction of the price. Our clinic’s chambers do not use masks or hoods that would impede the healing of elective facial surgery. The zero gravity chair is ideal for patients who have had tummy-tucks or liposuction.
- Breast ReductionCancer was later discovered in this right breast and again, the surgeon chose to reconstruct to the “DD” size rather than subject the patient to double breast reduction.
- Laser Resurfacing“I personally use HBOT for its rejuvenating effects. Because of my hectic work schedule, I used hyperbaric oxygen therapy for five days after my laser resurfacing. Healing was so fast, I was able to return to my patients in just eight days later. From experience, I believe that my healing was accelerated by at least 60%.”
- Cosmetic SurgeryHyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is routinely used in more than 700 centers in the United States for wound healing. Many plastic and reconstructive practices now have their own HBOT chambers. These surgeons routinely treat their patients before and after cosmetic surgery, tailoring the HBOT into their overall surgical plan for the patient.
- UlcerThe patients received combined treatment: surgical (hydrobouginage of the bladder, electrocoagulation of bladder ulcer) and a HBO course in the postoperative period. The efficacy was assessed by clinical and morphological criteria (estimation of histamine level in urethral smears, proliferative activity of bladder mucosa epithelial cells). A HBO course consisted of 10 sessions (40 min, 2 atm).
- FungusHigh density oxygen (HBOT) not only acts as a potent bactericide, it also becomes a potent antifungal. Combined with the appropriate pharmaceuticals, toxic mold and fungus are rapidly eradicated from the body using multiple physiological mechanisms. We present a dramatic intervention that saved the life of this little person.
- LesionsHyperbaric oxygen also accelerates the regression of atherosclerotic lesions, promotes antioxidant defenses, and suppresses the proliferation of macrophages and foam cells in atherosclerotic lesions.
- Skin Care
- Burns
- Sports MedicineHyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) is used in a sports medicine setting to reduce hypoxia and edema and appears to be particularly effective for treating crush injuries and acute traumatic peripheral ischemias.
- Physical TherapySurgery was scheduled for March 2005. On surgery day we felt every thing would be ok and that after this Amci would be a normal girl. We had no idea of what was about to come. The next month in the hospital was very painful for Amci getting used to the large gadget bolted through the flesh and into her bone. The pain eventually became bearable and Amci began to receive physical therapy. She was on the road to recovery.
- Diabetic Foot Care