There is currently no cure for autism spectrum disorders and standard treatment options focus on improving behavior and reducing symptoms. Because of this, many physicians look for alternative treatment options that offer additional help. Hyperbaric oxygen reatment, or HBOT, is one such alternative that shows great promise in treating autism. HBOT treats the cause of the disease by reducing damage and swelling in the brain. Because of this, a lot of researchers, parents, and people with autism see great benefits.
What is Autism?
Autism advocate and researcher Dr. Stephen Shore said it best when he said, “If you have met one person with autism, you have met one person with autism.”
Autism is not just one disease; it has many subtypes that are affected by different genetic and environmental factors. Even the problems and signs are different for each person. Speech and nonverbal contact, repetitive behaviours, and social skills are some of these problems. On the other hand, it doesn’t always affect intelligence. 44 percent are normal to above average in terms of their intelligence.
Autism begins in early childhood, with many children receiving a diagnosis around the age of two. It often includes additional diagnoses with other medical conditions, such as gastrointestinal disorders, sleep disorders, seizures, and mental health issues such as attention deficits, anxiety, and depression.
Not Just the Brain is Affected by Autism
Although the majority of people with autism focus on their brains, the disorder can manifest in other parts of the body as well. The gastrointestinal system is one important link. People with gastrointestinal problems are more likely to exhibit autistic signs and behaviours, according to the research.
Benefits of HBOT for Autistic Children
According to studies, autistic people often experience inadequate oxygen delivery, diminished or irregular blood flow, immune system abnormalities, and high levels of
inflammation.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves delivering high oxygen concentrations at elevated pressure levels while a patient relaxes in a hyperbaric chamber. By bringing more oxygen to places that have been depleted, this aids in restoring normal function. Inflammation reduces as a result of the higher oxygen levels in the blood. Encouraging the development and maintenance of healthy blood vessels aids in restoring regular blood flow and oxygen delivery. There is evidence that HBOT can also aid in enhancing the immune system’s regular functioning. People with gastrointestinal problems also benefit from HBOT, in addition to those with brain diseases.
People on the autistic spectrum can benefit from HBOT in many ways, including enhanced sensory and cognitive awareness, better sleep, less aggressive behaviour, less hyperactivity, and a boost to social relations.
For example, researchers connect reduced blood flow in the brain to repetitive behaviors and impairments in communication. By increasing the blood flow and oxygen delivery to these areas of the brain, HBOT helps reduce these core autistic symptoms. Treatment with HBOT shows benefits in language, increased awareness, and a reduction in behaviors.
Some of the key results they noted include:
- HBOT can improve cerebral perfusion (blood flow) that is often connected to repetitive
behavior, lack of facial expression and emotion, and decreased language development. - Hyperbaric oxygen therapy provides potent anti-inflammatory properties. Those with
autism have neuroinflammation, immune dysregulation, and gastrointestinal inflammation. Studies show that HBOT decreased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and neopterin levels, as well as reduced C-reactive protein levels, a biomarker for inflammation. - HBOT addresses mitochondrial dysfunction commonly associated with autism. HBOT treatments help destroy dysfunctional mitochondrial while helping to promote the growth of healthy mitochondrial through an increase in the production of antioxidant enzymes.
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps reduce oxidative stress associated with autism. By increasing the production of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, HBOT helps protect against oxidative stress.
- Treatment with Hyperbaric oxygen shows significant behavioral improvement in autism.
Researchers note an improvement in behavior, memory, social interaction, language and verbalizations, cognitive function, reduction in repetitive behavior, increased eye contact, improved motor skills, and gastrointestinal complications to name a few. - No significant adverse events. Aside from some reports of mild ear discomfort, none of the
HBOT studies reported any significant adverse reactions or side effects from treatment,
making it a safe treatment option.
Parents Speak Positively on HBOT and Autism
No one knows more about the everyday behavior and symptoms a child or adult with autism face than their parents and loved ones. This is why the Autism Research Institute has been collecting parent ratings on the usefulness of treatments each year. In 2009, Hyperbaric oxygen ranked high in positive effects on behavior and symptoms in persons with autism. Of the 219 cases treated with HBOT in 2009, 65 percent of parents reported an improvement in symptoms.
Parents report results such as improved sleep, increased attention span and awareness, and increased conversational language and verbalization. Parents also report improved eye contact, better emotional understanding, increased independence, and greater selfconfidence. As a parent, you want what is best for your child. If you are interested in learning how HBOT can help and make a difference, contact us today