The advancements in medical diagnostic and treatment methodologies have ensured that many disorders, previously misdiagnosed, are now adequately investigated.This makes treatment and management much more manageable, especially for the caretakers.One disorder now widely reported among children worldwide is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A new, radical method of treatment for ASD is HBOT therapy using hyperbaric chambers.
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disorder that impacts the brain\'s development. Children with ASD often face challenges with social, language, and communication skills, making interactions with others difficult.Children with autism exhibit narrow and specific interests. They may display repetitive behaviors such as grunting and squealing and might have pronounced sensory sensitivities to touch, sound, taste, and sight. Even a seemingly minor event can trigger a colossal meltdown.What Causes Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Experts don’t know what exactly causes ASD. Studies suggest that Autism Spectrum Disorder may be caused by a complex combination of factors that could be hereditary, biological, and environmental.While there is a high inclination to genetic vulnerability, the incidence of autism is more common in individuals with certain medical conditions like-- Fragile X Syndrome
- Rubella during pregnancy
- Brain infections like Encephalitis or Meningitis
- Tuberous Sclerosis
- Undiagnosed Phenylketonuria
- Lack of Oxygen during birth
- Substance abuse during pregnancy
- Premature childbirth
- Seizure Disorders
- Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Sleep Dysfunction
- Sensory Integration Dysfunction
More on ASD
Numerous studies indicate that individuals with autism have a decreased blood flow to the brain, causing brain inflammation and leading to a condition called Cerebral Hypoperfusion.Apart from this, autism patients also seem to suffer from a higher incidence of Gastrointestinal Inflammation, which causes constipation or Diarrhea.Adding to this list are oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction that autistic children may suffer from. They also have impaired production of porphyrin, which impacts the delivery of oxygen to various body parts.While there is no specific cure for ASD, there are therapies and procedures that can help manage the symptoms, like -- Medications
- Behavioral and communication therapy
- Diet changes
- Alternative and complementary methods
What is HBOT Therapy?
In this treatment, 100% oxygen is administered to the individual in a pressurized chamber at pressure levels of 4 psi or 1.5 ATA (Atmosphere Absolute). This increased pressure enables oxygen to permeate, dissolve, and saturate all the body fluids.This oxygen-rich blood is carried and circulated to all the parts of the body, especially to the damaged tissues and cells. The increased oxygen availability enhances the ability of the white blood cells to destroy infections, reduces inflammation, and makes more new blood vessels in the affected areas. This increases the healing function of the body at the physiological, biochemical, and at the cellular level.How Can HBOT Therapy Help with Autism?
- Increased oxygen levels in the blood help reduce brain inflammation and improve circulation, thereby leading to the growth of more capillaries.
- HBOT treatment reduces inflammation in the GI system and enables improvement of the GI tracts in autistic children, thus alleviating the symptoms and increasing nutrition absorption.
- In the cases of oxidative stress, HBOT can reduce it by up-regulation of antioxidant enzymes and increasing the production of antioxidants in the system.
- HBOT therapy for autism also helps increase mitochondria production in the case of Mitochondrial Dysfunction. Likewise, it raises the production of porphyrin, which helps in better heme synthesis.
- As autism is said to be a neurodegenerative disorder, HBOT treatment helps increase the production of stem cells that may aid in improving the conditions of brain disorders.
- Apart from the above, substantial changes were noted by caregivers in the energy, communication, speech, sensory sensitivities, and improved cognition levels of autistic children when they underwent HBOT
- Reduced irritability and hyperactivity, and decreased inflammatory markers, like C-reactive protein and TNF-Alpha level, were also noted in patients undergoing HBOT.