Concussion Management

How HBOT Helps Concussions

• Reduces edema
  Swelling, or edema, in the brain tissues creates immense pressure that robs the area of vital oxygen leading to memory impairment, disorientation, and headaches. HBOT constricts the damaged blood vessels, removing the primary source of the edema, while also providing needed oxygen that has been lost in those areas.
• Increases oxygen in brain tissue
  After a concussive event, damaged blood vessels are inefficient at transporting oxygenated blood to the brain. HBOT dissolves a higher than normal concentration of oxygen molecules into the blood and surrounding tissues. This higher oxygen content supports the tissues as your body recovers.
  
• Stimulates growth of new blood vessels
  HBOT increases your body’s cellular energy (ATP) and boosts its ability to create new blood vessels to replace the ones that were damaged. The growth of new capillaries furthers the body’s ability to deliver oxygen and nutrients into areas that need them most.
• Stimulates regeneration of nerve fibers
  Concussions damage nerve fibers and the myelin sheaths that insulate them. The body repairs both structures using ATP as its primary fuel. HBOT increases the levels of ATP in your system, speeding up the process of repair and regeneration of nerve fibers (neurogenesis).
• Reduces brain fog
  HBOT increases the oxygen in brain tissue which allows cells to heal and improves cell metabolism. It also reduces inflammation allowing your brain to work more optimally. This can help reduce brain fog and restore overall cognitive function.

Suboptimal Pathways and HBOT

Damage to myelin sheaths and cerebral vasculature from a concussion causes inflammation that limits the amount of oxygen reaching certain parts of your brain. When an oxygen starved brain needs to function for a task and can’t, other neural pathways will take over. Think of this as a road detour; when one route is blocked, your brain takes a slower, less direct route to the same destination. Though it may feel like your brain fog will last forever, combining HBOT, an anti-inflammatory diet, nutritional supplements, and safe movement exercises can support and accelerate your brain’s return to more efficient signaling pathways.

Is HBOT Right for Me?

At Delaware Hyperbarics, we believe that the three important factors to your recovery are the type and status of your concussion as listed above. The type depends on how the concussion occurred and status is determined by how long it has been since the initial injury or how many you have had. But we have found that taking a whole person approach produces a more optimal outcome.

Whole-Person Approach

In combination with HBOT, dietary supplements, safe movement, and nutrition can help you recover faster from a concussion in the following ways

Supplements

• Antioxidant protection of neurons and brain tissue

• Anti-inflammatory effects in the brain and body for faster recovery and less deterioration of brain function

• Healthy cell formation in the brain and body

• Normal inflammatory response in your digestive tract and tissues

• Healthy production of essential neurotransmitters

• Better digestion and absorption of nutrients

• Immune and neuromuscular system function

• Amino acids, omega-3s, and antioxidants to reduce inflammation

Safe movement

• Speeds up recovery time

• Lessens the chances of post-concussion syndrome

• Helps regulate sleep

• Enhances blood flow throughout the body

• Helps to lessen the feelings of depression that can accompany traumatic brain injuries

Nutrition

• Anti-inflammatory diet

• Helps bring down any inflammation in and around the brain

• Helps with sleep and clarity

• Nutrient dense foods help supply the body with vital nutrients to enhance recovery

When is HBOT appropriate to use?

At Delaware Hyperbarics we have found that the most effective period for HBOT is within the acute phase of a concussion. However, we have seen many patients experience profound recovery outcomes when coming to us at different stages of their concussion.

What symptoms and conditions are contraindications?

Conditions

• Asthma

• Congenital Spherocytosis

• Emphysema with CO2 retention

• High fevers: Fevers above 38.5ºC (around 101-102ºF )

• History of middle-ear surgery or disorders:

• History of seizures

• Optic Neuritis

• Pneumothorax

• Chest trauma or thoracic surgery

• Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

• Viral Infections

Medications

• Cisplatinum

• Disulphiram (Antabuse

• Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)

You may consider rescheduling your visit in the chamber if you are suffering from any of the above conditions. These conditions are less frequent but may be a risk to your health. Please consult your doctor before booking an appointment. For more information about more contraindications,

please visit the “A word of caution” section of our FAQ page.

Planning Your HBOT Journey

• Step 1 –  Call or text us at (510) 648-9496 with the type and status of your concussion
• Step 2 – Schedule with us over the phone or on our website
• Step 3 – Come in for your first HBOT session