TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY:
The National Institute of Health defines Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) as a form of acquired brain injury that occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. TBI can result when the head suddenly and violently hits an object, or when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue. Symptoms of a TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of the damage to the brain. A person with a mild TBI may remain conscious or may experience a loss of consciousness for a few seconds or minutes. Other symptoms of mild TBI include headache, confusion, lightheadedness, dizziness, blurred vision or tired eyes, ringing in the ears, bad taste in the mouth, fatigue or lethargy, a change in sleep patterns, behavioral or mood changes, and trouble with memory, concentration, attention, or thinking. A person with a moderate or severe TBI may show these same symptoms, but may also have a headache that gets worse or does not go away, repeated vomiting or nausea, convulsions or seizures, an inability to awaken from sleep, dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes, slurred speech, weakness or numbness in the extremities, loss of coordination, and increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation.
CONCUSSION AND POST-CONCUSSIVE SYNDROME:
Concussions are the result of mild brain injury generally associated with a blow to the head or a shaking or jarring of the body that results in the brain impacting the inside of the skull. Symptoms include headache, dizziness, altered or impaired executive function and memory, depression and anxiety.
TREATMENT WITH HBOT:
Great strides are being made toward gaining FDA approval of HBOT to treat TBI and Concussion. The Department of Defense has, and continues to sponsor extensive studies to this end. HBOT has been shown to be neuroprotective in multiple neurological disorders and evidence is mounting for the use of HBOT in ameliorating symptoms and improving overall functional capacity following a brain injury event.
PUBLISHED STUDIES:
Hyperbaric Oxygen for Traumatic Brain Injury
Hyperbaric Oxygen in Traumatic Brain Injury
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for the Adjunctive Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury
HBOT Can Improve Post Concussion Syndrome Years After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
ARTICLES AND OTHER RESOURCES:
HyperbaricLink: Traumatic Brain Injury
Oxygen Chamber Can Boost Brain Repair Years After Stroke or Trauma
Israeli Researchers Found New Hope for Victims of Traumatic Brain Injury: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Traumatic Brain Injury and the Potential of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Chronic Post-Concussive Syndrome
Army Times: TBI Troops Report Relief from Hyperbaric Oxygen
McConnell Air Force Base: Hyperbaric Chamber to Study Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment
ACTIVE RESEARCH:
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
