Hyperbaric Oxygen Improves Symptoms of PTSD

Hyperbaric Oxygen shown to improve PTSD Nearly 20% of servicemen and women returning from war-zones have been affected with symptoms of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury/post-concussive syndrome (TBI/PCS). A study performed in November of 2011 and available in the Journal of Neurotrama found that treatment with hyperbaric oxygen nearly three years after injury significantly improved veteran's quality of life. Post-treatment testing revealed improvements in cognitive testing, physical exam findings and quality of life measurements, along with a decrease in short-term memory problems, cognitive deficits and depression. Improvements were seen in irritability, balance, motor function, IQ, and blood flow to the brain. Dr. Paul Harch, the Medical Director of the LSU Hyperbaric Medicine and Wound Care Department concludes that "the study strongly suggests that both post-traumatic stress disorder and the post-concussion syndrome of mild traumatic brain injury are treatable nearly three years after injury. [And] the magnitude of improvements in memory, executive function, function brain imaging, and quality of life, as well as reduction in concussion and PTSD symptoms cannot be explained with a placebo effect." With our troops returning home, many will come back with PTSD, TBI/PCS or major depression, some with all three. Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy may be a reliable treatment instead of a prescription that to date has had minimal effectiveness for the diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder and post-concussive syndrome. Source: Medical News Today