Kids suffering from autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have, for many years, been treated with an alternative medical procedure known as hyperbaric oxygen therapy or HBOT. The incidence of autism has been growing with every passing year, with more and more children being diagnosed with the neurodevelopmental disorder in countries around the world.

Today, about one in fifty-four children under the age of eight in the US suffers from some form of autism. Common symptoms of ASD include problems with communication, repetitive or restrictive behavioral patterns, an inability to understand social cues, and an excessive dependence on routine and familiarity.

An Overview of Hyperbaric Medicine

Medical professionals have often prescribed the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a non-invasive treatment option for kids suffering from autism. Hyperbaric therapy requires the patient to enter a sealed vessel known as a hyperbaric chamber. Once inside, the patient is able to breathe in 100 percent pure oxygen under higher than average atmospheric pressure levels.

Inside a hyperbaric chamber, the air pressure can often be twice as much as normal atmospheric pressure at sea level, or even more. This excess air pressure allows the pure oxygen to quickly dissolve into the cerebrospinal fluid, the plasma, and other bodily fluids circulating within a human body. As a result, the oxygen is transmitted quickly to different parts of the body and the brain.

Even the organs of the patient’s body that had so far been deprived of sufficient oxygen supply, due to damaged or blocked blood vessels, are now able to get all the oxygen they need through the plasma and other such bodily fluids. This allows hyperbaric therapy to effectively treat many of the physiological issues frequently associated with autism, such as cerebral hypoxia and inflammations in the brain.

Many health issues apart from autism are also treated with the help of HBOT. These include traumatic brain injuries, gas embolism, diabetic foot ulcers, decompression sickness, and carbon monoxide poisoning. This is because oxygen is a well-known medicinal component and one of the essential elements needed for the survival of human beings. Oxygen helps with angiogenesis and tissue regeneration in the brain and the body. It also facilitates stem-cell development and helps minimizes inflammation.

The Role of a Hyperbaric Oxygen Society

Joining a reputed hyperbaric oxygen society can provide the parents and caregivers of an autistic child with numerous benefits. To begin with, the parents and primary caregivers of autistic kids might join such a society in order to gain access to a vast and global community of like minded persons.

Many people who have tried hyperbaric therapy as an alternative treatment option for autism are part of such societies. Thus, such a hyperbaric oxygen society can provide a great platform for parents and caregivers to share their experiences, exchange knowledge and ideas, and find a support system that will help them better navigate the world of hyperbaric medicine.

Moreover, by joining a hyperbaric oxygen society, the parents of autistic kids will get access to a plethora of important information and cutting-edge research dealing with the subject of autism treatment. This will allow them to better understand the different ways in which they can manage the symptoms of autism and minimize its effects on their child.

With this information, parents will be better equipped to make the best possible use of the hyperbaric medicine as well as seeking out other treatment options that might suit the needs of their child. Knowledge, after all, is power – and there is no better way to accrue accurate and reliable knowledge about the impact of hyperbaric medicine on autism than by joining a trusted hyperbaric oxygen society.

Another important benefit associated with hyperbaric oxygen societies is that they can provide references for doctors and patients alike. So, if a family is moving to a new city or state, they can contact the hyperbaric oxygen society to get information about the best clinicians in the vicinity of their new home. The society will provide them with reliable information about the best hyperbaric clinics and practitioners nearby.

Doctors can also use this feature of hyperbaric oxygen societies to find new patients in their area, whom they will be able to help with the help of hyperbaric therapy. Parents, on the other hand, need not worry about their autistic child’s medical care when they are moving from one city or state to another.

Final Thoughts

Numerous reputed institutions and hyperbaric oxygen societies around the world are working tirelessly to make people, including healthcare workers, aware of the benefits and advantages of hyperbaric therapy, particularly in regards to autism treatment.

The parents and caregivers of autistic children can join the campaign to spread awareness about HBOT and its benefits by becoming a member of such a society. This would provide them with much-needed support and information, which would make the process of raising an autistic child much easier and more fulfilling in the long run.