Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) and Its Benefits for Long COVID
What is Long COVID?
Long COVID are lasting symptoms after someone contracts the COVID virus. This may present differently in each person.
There are a few different theories for why we are seeing Long COVID symptoms:
1. After the immune system eliminates the coronavirus, some remnants survive in one or more organs, and it continues to stimulate an immune response. The immune response may be damaging tissues and result in chronic inflammation.
2. Inactive viruses may be reactivating. (Epstein-Barr virus)
3. The immune system is producing antibodies that begin to attack the person’s own organs – autoimmune.
4. The COVID virus has damaged organs and tissues.
How can Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) help each of these conditions?
1 & 3: HBOT studies have shown that HBOT therapy decreases inflammatory markers such as c-reactive protein (CRP) and sedimentation rate (ESR).
Hypoxia-Inducible Factor. The HIF protein is sensitive to oxygen levels and when oxygen is low, it stimulates production of another protein called NF-kappaB. This protein is responsible for stimulating many cytokines responsible for inflammation. HIF protein gets shut down and therefore cannot stimulate NF-kappaB thereby decreasing inflammation.
2: Boosts white blood cell counts. White blood cells help fight and prevent disease by making antibodies that attack bacteria and toxins, helping to destroy infected or cancerous cells, and identifying and eliminating pathogens.
2 (molecular hydrogen): Glutathione is a substance in your body that helps with many functions, including:
Antioxidant: Helps protect cells from damage by free radicals
Detoxification: Helps remove toxins from your body, including pollutants, drugs, and some chemicals your body produces naturally
Immune system: Helps your immune system function properly and can stimulate or inhibit your immune response to control inflammation
Tissue repair: Helps build and repair tissue
Metabolic processes: Involved in many metabolic processes, including protein and DNA synthesis, enzyme activity, and gene expression
Glutathione levels tend to decrease with age and can also be affected by certain conditions like cancer, HIV/AIDS, and type 2 diabetes.
4: HBOT accelerates the healing of tissues because it delivers oxygen directly into the tissues and organs.
Questions?
[i] Hachmo, Yafit, et al. “The Effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on the Pathophysiology of Skin Aging: A Prospective Clinical Trial.” Aging, Impact Journals, 16 Nov. 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8660605/#:~:text=Recent%20clinical%20trials%20have%20shown,non%2Dpathological%2C%20aging%20population.
[ii] New Frontiers: Anti-Aging Properties of Hyperbaric ... - Hboorcca.com. http://www.hboorcca.com/pdf/New%20Frontiers%20Anti%20Aging%20Properties%20of%20Hyperbaric%20Oxygen%20Therapy.pdf.
[iii] Harch, Paul, and Virginia McCullough. The Oxygen Revolution: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy /Cpaul Harch and Virginia McCullough ; Foreword by William A. Duncan. Hatherleigh Press, 2007.
[iv] Whitten, Ari. The Ultimate Guide to Red Light Therapy. Archangel Ink, 2018.