hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Veterans Health Care has aligned with The TreatNOW Coalition, which is a nationwide network of veterans, doctors, clinicians, economists, and activists on a mission to save America’s veterans from the suicide and opioid epidemics. The Coalition promotes brain healing treatments like FDA approval of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) and connects veterans suffering from concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with life-altering medicine. Its goal is to transition veterans from a lifetime of pain to a fulfilled, healthy, and robust life. Currently, TreatNOW has returned over 21,000 veterans, athletes, first responders, and citizens to work, school, or active duty.
Veterans’ Healthcare looks to make a significant contribution to ending suicides, treating, and helping to heal
brain injuries. But first, let us visit a brief review; Starting in 2009, Veterans Healthcare began working with
both Veteran Service organizations, including Political help, with Senator Harry Reid, for the primary purpose
of “Suicide Prevention”. Whereby, at that time, Veterans were committing Suicide at a rate of 24 per day.
Beginning in 2009, Veterans Healthcare championed several medical products and services which limited
veteran suicides, yet not stopping them entirely. The medical products and services Veterans Healthcare
introduced included innovative treatments; Nexilin Therapy, 3D Body Scan Diagnosis, Energy Healing Therapy,
Acoustic Wave Therapy, Detox Therapy. (The variation of treatments was many). The primary conditions
treated included:
– Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – PTSD (Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia) (ADI)
– Brain and Hyper Disorders,
– Pain (acute, chronic, and localized)
– Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
– Wound healing/all forms of Trauma.
The Mission of the Patriot Veterans Healthcare from the very beginning was to bring in time-tested Wellness
Programs to assist veterans suffering applicable Health Care treatment without the adverse side effects
inherent with drugs and surgery. Today, certainly the rising incident of suicides among our veterans, is still at a
rate of 20 per day, and a disturbing indicator that such treatments are not sufficient.
Beginning in 2003, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), The direct (e.g.,
medical) and indirect costs (e.g., loss of productivity) of TBI in the United States totaled an estimated $60
billion annually Independent of the wounded warriors. Complicating and prolonging the problems associated
with TBI are treatments for TBI that offer little more than palliative care, masking the symptoms without
treating the underlying injury. Thus, following the current record in treating TBI, there is little hope that the
costs paid by the suffering individuals in the loss of their quality of life and costs paid by society will ever
improve.
Now veterans are in the midst of suicide and concussion-epidemics: 20 service members a day commit suicide,
8,000 a year. Another 45 a day try and fail, another 16,000+ a year. The CDC estimates between 1.6 million to
3.8 million concussions occur each year. Our efforts are reducing risk, health care costs for the country, our
wounded warriors, and others with brain injuries. And what we are doing is already restoring lives, hope, and productivity to a small slice of deserving veterans. This summary will brief you on our work. We hope to get
your support for the hundreds of thousands who have not discovered there is treatment and hope preventing
veteran and non-veteran suicides.
Our U. S. Military Volunteers wounded in the line of duty deserve the best treatment our nation can offer.
Right now, 2023 our soldiers suffering TBI and PTSD are prescribed symptom-reducing drugs; are temporally
treated and then discharged, dependent on costly anti-depressants and other anti-psychotic medicines that
promote dangerous dependencies and may even result in lethal interactions. Certainly, the rising incident of
suicides among our veterans is a disturbing indicator that such treatments, started long before 2003, and have
continued, are not sufficient.
A Revolutionary Treatment for Suicide Prevention
Over a decade ago, a Coalition (www.TreatNOW.ORG) of Military Leadership, Doctors and Medical Specialists
came together to prepare a Clinical Trial to treat Brain Wounded Warriors and others with similar afflictions.
That study, NBIRR, (attached) together with 17 other scientific studies, resulted in definitive data showing the
safety and efficacy of using a groundbreaking medical technology; Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy in
treating and helping to heal brain wounds.
The study by the TreatNOW Coalition, also included The National Brain-Wounded Veteran Brain Drain and
Cost-Benefit Analysis, Changing the DoD and VA Standard of Care for TBI and Suicide Prevention. This
research discovered that over the 40-year lifetime of a TBI Veteran, treating and healing brain wounds will
cost less than ½ of one percent of the total lifetime costs attributable to NOT treating those brain wounds.
And those treatments have been able to return up to 85% of the wounded with mild to moderate brain
injuries to more meaningful and healed lives.
Using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, the TreatNOW Coalition, working pro bono to get aid on behalf of brain
injured troops and others suffering from Concussions, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD) (During a short period of time): TREATED AND HEALED OVER 21,000 BRAIN WOUNDED
INDIVIDUALS.
The TreatNOW Coalition has proven there is an effective, ethical, medically safe treatment available for TBI/PTSD-wounded personnel and Veterans, but it is not being researched or developed aggressively by VA Hospitals or TriWest Clinics. Nor is it being made available to our injured troops or civilians. However, Hospitals and Clinics all over America are treated patients with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. They have accumulated scientific and clinical evidence of the efficacy of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (See https://treatnow.org/knowledgebase/ ). It is the only currently available, demonstrably promising treatment for TBI/PTSD and concussions. The treatment shows promise for anyone with brain injury, no matter how the injury is acquired. Coupled with Functional Medicine, HBOT can provide the missing ingredient to heal brain wounds: Oxygen Under Pressure for Wound Healing.
Overview: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
The science behind Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) continues to show that brain injuries do not have to
mean a lifetime of crippling pain and severely diminished quality of life, whether for soldiers, athletes, or
civilians. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment in which a patient breathes 100% oxygen
while the pressure of the treatment chamber is increased to greater than atmospheric pressure (one
atmosphere absolute / one ATA). Under normal atmospheric conditions, (one ATA) patients are subjected to approximately 14.7 pounds per square inch of pressure and the air they breathe is composed of 21% Oxygen and 79% Nitrogen. During HBOT the pressure is increased up to three times’ normal atmospheric pressure (3 ATA) creating a Higher Partial Pressure of Oxygen.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy helps your body heal. To work properly, the tissues in your body must have
enough Oxygen. If your tissues are injured, they Need Even More Oxygen. The increased pressure in
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy helps your blood carry Oxygen through your body, especially injured tissues. It
also helps your white blood cells protect your body from infection. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can help your
body Heal by helping grow new skin, blood vessels and connective tissues. It’s very safe when performed by an
experienced Healthcare Provider.
Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy safe for everyone? No, some people shouldn’t receive Hyperbaric Oxygen
Therapy. It may be dangerous for some patients to receive treatment if they have: A collapsed
lung (pneumothorax) or a lung disease that may increase the patients risk of getting a collapsed lung,
including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Cystic Fibrosis and Emphysema. A fever or cold.
– A “Recently injured Ear”.
– Recently had Ear Surgery.
Clinical research studies have shown that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can enhance the body's ability in.
Circulation and blood flow.
– Improve Heart Health
– Joint and soft tissue Health
– Improve Brain Function
– Improve skin conditions.
– Reduces Inflammation
– Repairs cells and diminishes wrinkles.
– Improves memory and reaction time.
– Reduces stress and anxiety.
– HBOT has the ability to repair and regenerate with benefits for many diseases and health conditions.
Before receiving Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, The patients Healthcare Provider will assess many factors,
including the condition for which you’re receiving treatment, your age and your overall health. These
assessments will help Healthcare Providers determine how long therapy should last and how many sessions
needed. Patients should be sure to discuss their medications and medical implant devices with the Healthcare
Provider. Some medical implant devices, including pacemakers made in the 1960s, may malfunction after
exposure to a Hyperbaric Oxygen Environment. The patients Healthcare Provider will also review any potential
side effects.
During the procedure, Patients may sit or lie in a special chamber. Some Hyperbaric Chambers treat only one
person (Monospace Chamber). In a Monospace Chamber, the patient lies on a table that slides into the
Hyperbaric Chamber, whereby the patient continues lying while receiving treatment. The Healthcare facility
may have a Hyperbaric Chamber designed for use by multiple people at once (Multiplace Chambers).
Once the door to the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy chamber has closed, the patient might hear a slight hissing
sound as oxygen fills the chamber and the pressure inside slowly grows. The patients ears may feel clogged
(barotrauma) or start to pop, similar to flying in an airplane or traveling through mountains. The person can
relieve this pressure in the ears by yawning or taking a sip of water, holding their nose, and swallowing the water. Patients breathe normally during the therapy. A Healthcare Provider will be in the room throughout the
procedure to answer any questions and monitor your condition and overall health.
Toward the end of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, the Healthcare Provider will gradually decrease the pressure
inside the chamber so a person’s body can adjust to the pressure outside of the chamber. The Healthcare
Provider will remove the patient from the chamber. Then, they’ll examine vital signs, including blood
pressure and pulse, and check the patients ears. If the person has diabetes, they’ll test for blood sugar levels.
RECOVERY AND OUTLOOK! The patient can return to usual daily activities immediately following a Hyperbaric
Oxygen Therapy session. Most people see benefits from hyperbaric oxygen therapy after several sessions. It’s
important to continue a “full course of treatment” and stay in touch with the Healthcare Provider. Frequent
monitoring enables you and your providers to identify potential complications earlier.
When Hyperbaric Oxygen Chambers are Cleared by the FDA, “Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy” is generally safe,
and serious complications are rare according to the FDA. The FDA indicated that “Because of the Increased
Oxygen concentration During HBOT Therapy, Potential Risks Include;
– Ear and Sinus Pain
– Middle ear Hurts – and potential rupture. (Rare)
– Temporary vision changes. (Normally patients with cataract eye issues) (Rare)
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy causes some risks, including:
– Claustrophobia: Monoplace chambers are small and confined, which can trigger claustrophobia. Side
effects may include anxiety attacks or panic attacks. Your healthcare provider may prescribe a mild
sedative to help you remain calm during treatments.
– Middle ear injuries: Injuries may include an earache, tensor tympani muscle bleeding (hemorrhage),
fluid in your ears (effusion) or eardrum rupture.
– Sinus congestion: Side effects may include a runny nose, a stuffy nose, mucus drainage down the back
of your throat (postnasal drainage) or a sinus headache.
– Temporary nearsightedness: In people who receive at least 20 daily treatments, between 20% and
40% lose their ability to see things at a distance for a short period. It more commonly affects those
who have diabetes or are over 65. Most people have a complete return to their baseline vision.
– Oxygen poisoning: Though rare, oxygen poisoning (toxicity) may occur if your lungs breathe in too
much extra oxygen. Side effects may include coughing and shortness of breath (dyspnea).
– Seizures: In rare cases, some people receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy have had seizures. Side
effects include convulsions, sensory disturbances and fainting.
Conditions for which Hyperbaric Chambers are cleared for marketing by the FDA
FDA Clearance of a medical device includes a determination that the device has the same intended use as, and
is as safe and effective as, other legally U.S.-marketed devices of that type.
As of July 2021, the FDA has cleared Hyperbaric Chambers for the following disorders:
– Air and gas bubbles in blood vessels
– Anemia (severe anemia when blood transfusions cannot be used)
– Burns (severe and large burns treated at a specialized burn center)
– Carbon monoxide poisoning
– Crush injury
– Decompression sickness (diving risk)
– Gas gangrene
– Hearing loss (complete hearing loss that occurs suddenly and without any known cause)
– Infection of the skin and bone (severe)
– Radiation injury
– Skin graft flap at risk of tissue death
– Vision loss (when sudden and painless in one eye due to blockage of blood flow)
– Wounds (non-healing, diabetic foot ulcers)
HBOT is being studied for other conditions, including COVID-19. However, at this time, the FDA has not cleared
or authorized the use of any HBOT device to treat COVID-19 or any conditions beyond those listed above. The
Today there are numerous Hospitals and Clinics across America treating patients for FDA Unapproved uses of
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy? Yes, there are Unapproved uses of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Not just
Hospitals and Clinics, but also Medical Spas, Alternative Medicine Centers, Retirement Communities, including
numerous Doctors having claimed that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy helps treat many conditions, including:
– Age-related symptoms or conditions (anti-aging).
– Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
– Cerebral palsy.
– COVID-19.
– Depression.
– Hair loss (alopecia).
– HIV and AIDS.
– Migraine headaches.
– Sports injuries.
– Strokes.
– Open wounds
– Inflammation
– Bio-electromagnetic massage therapy
Today, clinics and hospitals (including Reno Renown Medical and all Reno/Sparks) across America are using
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to treat and heal various types of conditions and ailments described:
Neuro Logic
– Post-Stroke
– Head Injury
– Chronic Fatigue
– ADD / ADHD
– Autism
– Cerebral Palsy
Nuero-Degenerative
Multiple Sclerosis
Parkinson’s
ALS
Alzheimer’s
Anti-Aging / Performance
Memory Loss
Concussion
Post Exercise Recovery
Dementia
Low Energy
Strains / Sprains
Wounds / Infections
Lyme’s Disease
Epstein Barr
Post-Surgical Healing
Scar Healing
Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Healthy? Yes, hyperbaric oxygen is healthy. It’s pure oxygen, helps your immune system fight bacteria and generate stem cells. Stem cells are special cells in your body that help create other types of important cells, including blood cells, brain cells and muscle cells. Suicide and mental health issues do not discriminate, and so it is imperative that we take an aggressive approach to improve access to culturally informed, evidence-based quality mental health care. We are dedicated to a process of change, knowing that long-term, sustained efforts are needed. We have much more work ahead of us and are committed to change. Our culture needs to reverse the impact of Systemic Drug Use within the field of mental health. We all have a role to play and invite individuals, communities, organizations, and thought leaders to join us in our efforts to create long-lasting changes of medication use in mental health and to look at the Reveloutionary of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to prevent suicides.