Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a specialized therapy that allows the body to incorporate more oxygen into blood cells, blood plasma, cerebral-spinal fluid and other bodily tissue. By raising the atmospheric pressure above one atmosphere (sea level) more oxygen molecules of oxygen are compressed into the body.

At sea level the atmospheric pressure is 1ATA (14.7 psi or pounds per square inch), which allows the lungs to absorb a normal amount of oxygen from the air. At higher altitudes, the pressure drops and the lungs are not able to absorb as much oxygen from the air. This is why oxygen masks drop in an airplane at high altitudes - to increase the oxygen content due to the lack of pressure. The exact opposite happens at lower altitudes (below sea level). There, the pressure is greater (above 1ATA) and now the lungs can more easily absorb the oxygen, and at a greater volume.

There are two types of HBOT chambers:

• Hard chambers with 100% oxygen
• Soft chambers with "concentrated" oxygen

Many of the DAN providers are looking to recommend mild hyperbarics at 1.3 to 1.5 atmospheres. The Hard Chamber providers can provide this low level hyperbaric treatment with 100% oxygen.

Typically the hard chambers providing 100% oxygen DO NOT ALLOW electronics of any kind in their units for safety reasons. Some providers have wired their units for music or for watching video on DVD or VHS with viewing portholes.

Many of the soft chambers have been approved for home use and do not use 100% oxygen. These chambers typical use what is defined as an oxygen concentrator. These concentrators filter the air in the room and provide a higher level of oxygenation to the air in the chamber. The percent concentration of the air in the chamber with an oxygen concentrator has been debated to be somewhere between 40-80%. The air we breathe is about 15-20% oxygen.

The use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for autism is becoming more popular. The results are varied and the individual reports from families and health professionals are encouraging. There are many testimonies on the net from families who have taken HBOT for their autistic child with varied results, mostly very encouraging.