Currently, there is a great deal of focus and attention being put on hyperbaric oxygen therapy, due to the promising results seen in clinical research and the potential application that this can have for those individuals who have suffered a stroke or TBI. Now, there is strong evidence supporting the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy BEFORE brain trauma or injury, by preconditioning the brain with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This study shows that HBOT preconditioning stands as a robust prophylactic treatment for sequestration of inflammation inherent in stroke and TBI. Though we can't predict when the brain will be under traumatic stress (unless it's a planned surgical procedure),  hyperbaric oxygen may become one of the best ways to protect our brain from future injuries. The following groups of individuals would be the ones that would most likely benefit:

• Athletes and contact sports affecting the head
• Patients undergoing planned brain surgery
• High-risk stroke patients
• Those who are at risk for neuro-degenerative conditions
• Elderly

The future holds bright for the application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for being part of both the treatment of brain trauma and for the prevention of the severity of damage that can subsequently occur <view study>     Read Less

With the growing incidence of strokes and heart attacks, medical disabilities for these, and other age-related conditions, are on the rise. Preconditioning the body and its vital organs may be of critical importance for today's aging and disease-ridden society. This new study looked at preconditioning the brain with hyperbaric oxygen therapy and showed that it reduced postoperative cognitive dysfunction. More specifically, they reported, "Hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning has proved to protect vital organs, such as the heart, liver, and brain. ... We conclude that hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning is an effective and feasible method to prevent, alleviate, and improve postoperative cognitive dysfunction, and that its mechanism of action is very complex, involving the stimulation of endogenous antioxidant and anti-inflammation defense systems." <view study> Read Less

Learning and memory deficits are quite often send following injuries or degenerative disorders of the brain, but now are increasingly becoming a major concern for our aging population. This study focuses on the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for both of these groups of individuals, particularly the ones with 'aging' brains. These beneficial effects were found to be through a combination of positive findings including a reduction in both brain oxidation and inflammation, while also being able to effectively regulate aging-related gene expression. These combined physiological benefits were able to cause a significant reversal in the learning and memory deficits normally observed in aging <view study> Read Less

Another study supporting the protective role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Significant liver protection was observed following HBOT preconditioning. Moreover, both a reduction of oxidative stress, along with a marked enhancement of total antioxidant protection was observed. This is just one of many studies confirming the strong and powerful antioxidant protection that is produced following the application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy <view study> Read Less

Free radical, oxidative stress, and inflammation are all common markers that are exhibited during many, if not all, pathologies and the hallmark of many chronic disease states. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been traditionally used for reducing the damaging effects of radiation therapy (RT). Since RT has been shown to cause excessive oxidative stress and inflammation, researchers took note of HBOT's potential to reverse both of these factors involved in radiation damaged tissue <view study> Read Less