Lyme Disease and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Is the oxidative stress "bad" for the Lyme patient?
Is the oxidative stress "bad" for the Lyme patient?
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| Worth 4 minutes of your time to view this YouTube of Julie. |
Are Free-Radicals Good or Bad?
I received this email earlier this week:
Hi Bob,
Becky is consulting
with a new Lyme doctor who seems to really be on the ball in most ways. The one
thing she said that didn't ring true is that hyperbarics are bad for you
because they cause oxidative stress. I recall you addressing this at some point
and wondered if there were any research papers or scholarly articles that would
rebut that point of view. I'd like to educate her.
Sandsie's Comment:
"To answer your question regarding free radicals. In a
nutshell, the stress caused during a HBOT treatment is
actually therapeutic and kills bugs. HBOT is unique in that it produces a
stack of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a lot of reactive nitrogen
species (RNS) However, after the HBOT session, the body 'buffers' the excess
there is a rapid scavenging when the body puts out super-oxide dismutase (SOD)"
WHEN YOU HAVE AN EXCESS OF FREE-RADICALS WHEN YOU NEED THEM. . . THAT IS GOOD!
As needed by Lyme patients for aerobic killing of Bb and to be
sustained through endotoxic shock.
WHEN YOU HAVE TOO MANY FREE RADICALS WHEN YOU DO NOT NEED THEM .
. . THAT IS BAD!
Anyway, this is
not what I say, it is what the scientist say
Stephen
Thom, M.D, Professor of Emergency Medicine, Chief of Environmental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania is a leader in
this field of science and courageously educates physicians (who should know
their science) with the facts.
Oxidative stress is fundamental to hyperbaric oxygen therapy
"In review, oxidative stress responses triggered by HBO2 improve outcome from a wide variety of postischemic/inflammatory insults. HBO2 also improves ischemic tolerance when used in a prophylactic manner. The basis for these effects is only partially understood. Augmented synthesis of reactive species temporarily inhibits endothelial sequestration of neutrophils by inhibiting β2-integrin function and in many tissues HBO2 will induce antioxidant enzymes and anti-inflammatory proteins.
SUMMARY
This review has highlighted some of the beneficial actions of HBO2 and the data that indicate oxidative stress brought about by hyperoxia can have therapeutic effects. Figure 1 provides a summary of mechanisms, all of which appear to stem from elevations in reactive species. Although there has been substantial advancement of the field in recent years, more work is required to establish the breadth of HBO2 utilization in 21st century medicine. Investigations of fundamental mechanisms are still needed, and on the clinical front, patient selection criteria must be clarified to truly make HBO2 a cost-effective treatment modality."
GRANTS
This work was supported by grants from the Office of Naval Research and from the National Institute of Digestive and Kidney Diseases (DK-080376).
- Copyright © 2009 the American Physiological Society
Are the so-called mildHyperbaric (inflatable) Chambers useful for Lyme patients?
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| Sandsie with an inflatable "bag" chamber. |
THE ANSWER IS AN EMPHATIC "NO."
These low pressure chambers simply cannot reach the required pressures of 100% OXYGEN that are referred to in Professor Thom's article. More on "Soft " chambers in my next blog.
This is great treatment information explain about the lyme disease. The symptoms of Lyme disease is very difficult to diagnose.
ReplyDeleteLyme disease
Thank you for the compliment. As you have likely gathered, my mission now is education. HBOT as an adjunct for the treatment of Lyme is so important. And it has to be accurate science . . . Lyme patients are probably the most exploited of all patient groups INCLUDING BY HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY providers. HBOT needs accurate Tx pressure levels and pre and post supervision of the patient; it has to be more accessible for patients in more locations; and the price per treatment needs to be lower.
ReplyDeleteAgain, thank you for the compliment. I am just trying to make the last 30 years of my life mean something.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment is really helpful for Lyme disease recovery. You provided valuable information here. Thanks
ReplyDeleteShai Efrati
Very informative blog... HBOT is helpful therapy in Lyme disease and hyperbaric oxygen therapy helpful to get faster recovery. This blog post share good information. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDelete