Autism, by definition, or in simple words, is a developmental disorder that is identified by difficulties in social skills like communication and reaction. It is also characterized by repetitive behavior or very restricted interest and activity from the person suffering from this disability. Though there are many issues that people suffering from autism have to face, their lack of social skills can be said to be the biggest obstacle.
Neurological shortcomings, such as shortage of blood flow, lack of brain synchronization, neuroinflammation, are among other possible characteristics of autism or autistic spectrum disorders. Therefore, to be able to treat autism successfully, it is essential to understand the cause or origin of this disorder for every individual patient. And hyperbaric therapy focuses on the same reason.
Nowadays, there are many treatments and diagnostics available to treat autism, depending on the stages of the disorder, and thereby vary from person to person. In this complete article, we will focus on the use of hyperbaric therapy for autism treatment.
What is Hyperbaric Therapy and What it Does?
Hyperbaric therapy or hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) entails breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized room or chamber. This enables the body to inhale more oxygen into the lungs that are then carried throughout the body by the plasma in the blood cells. Along with autism, this therapy is used to treat several medical conditions like decompression sickness, bubbles of air in your blood vessels, non-healing wounds, gangrene, among other things.
Results have shown that hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps the patient’s body enable the following functions:
- Helps destroy harmful bacteria present in the body
- Decreases inflammation
- Boost the immune system
- Increases the production of collagen and new cells
- Allows the creation of new stem cells
- Boost the count of white blood cells in the body
- Helps with the mitochondrial functions in the body
- Regenerates bone strength
Apart from all the benefits mentioned above, over the past several years, hyperbaric oxygen therapy has also benefited many children struggling with autism. Studies have shown that by using hyperbaric therapy for autism, all the toxins like heavy metals and unwanted chemicals present in the body can be flushed out. It also promotes the growth of new capillaries in the brain. Even though the exact reason why hyperbaric therapy is so beneficial for autism is yet to be confirmed, all these factors definitely contribute towards the better diagnosis of autism.
In addition to the above-stated conditions, hyperbaric therapy has been really beneficial to many people that were certified autistic, especially young children. Below listed are the top five benefits or improvements that can be seen in persons undergoing hyperbaric therapy for autism:
- Hyperbaric therapy tackles the root cause of autism
Hyperbaric therapy has shown the ability to attack some of the factors that are exhibited in ASD. This has been highly beneficial for people with autism caused by their neuroinflammation. By the use of hyperbaric therapy for autism, it is noted that the improved amount of oxygen in the tissues can reduce the inflammation in the brain cells. And it is thereby showing a significant improvement in the overall behavior and functioning of the patient.
- Improved sleep and growth cycle
People undergoing hyperbaric therapy for autism have experienced better sleep and learning abilities. It has resulted in both mental and physical growth in children, meaning better learning and memory retention capabilities. Hyperbaric therapy is also shown to improve mental abilities like lesser sensory disturbance. It also improves the body’s inner mechanisms and processes like bowel functions and a better digestion process.
- Helps increase the attention span and focus
One of the main issues that people or children suffering from autism face is the lack of attention for prolonged periods of time. By the use of hyperbaric therapy for autism, it is observed that the focus and concentration levels can be improved significantly. Not only is the patient able to keep their attention on a single activity for long but also find interest in new topics and activities.
- Improved social behavior and relationships
It’s a known fact that people suffering from autism have difficulty in socializing outside their very limited social circle. But results have shown that by taking hyperbaric therapy for autism over time, an improvement in social behavior is noticeable. This includes more affectionate bonds within the family and a more calm and animated approach towards strangers than being ignorant or afraid of them.
- Customized approach for different patients
Unlike other treatment plans that have a very firm or follow the same approach for all patients, using hyperbaric therapy for autism can be quite flexible. It has a very individualized or customized approach towards different patients. The number of therapy sessions and the intensity of the sessions is highly dependent on the degree or level of autism.
Over the past several years, hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been used to treat many medical conditions and has shown great results, including the treatment of autism. There have been many studies conducted over how and why hyperbaric therapy helps treat autism, and the results shown by the studies so far have been very encouraging.
The use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to treat autism is really helpful in treating many autistic persons, especially young children, and has shown signs of major developments for everyone. It has shown maximum benefits in the case of people with neuroinflammation of the brain capillaries. The therapy helps reduce the inflammation in the affected area, and stem cells grown from hyperbaric therapy help repair the brain cells to ultimately reduce the level of autism.
Concluding Thoughts
Even though doctors have not found a specific reason as to why hyperbaric therapy has been successful in treating autism, one can’t deny the number of cases of autism that have been treated successfully so far because of it. For anyone that is in a dilemma regarding the possible treatment options, hyperbaric therapy for autism has worked miracles for many people and is definitely worth considering.
