Introduction to a New EP Series
We are pleased to announce a year-long focus on the various uses of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) in the pages of Exceptional Parent (EP magazine) and on our new, expanded website. This focus will include editorial contributions from well-recognized physicians, clinicians and scientists along with embedded videos and a series of Ask the Expert interactions where our readers, therapists, physicians, athletes, coaches and trainers can interact with experts in the field of HBOT. As always, all editorial content will be reviewed and evaluated for objectivity and credibility by Exceptional Parent and select members of our Editorial Advisory Board. Our goal remains to expand the knowledge base of families caring for children and adults with disabilities and special needs, and make people more informed about the uses of HBOT in the treatment of various conditions. Some thoughts about HBOT:
Dr. John Polanyi, Nobel Prize laureate remarked, “For science must breathe the oxygen of freedom.” His insight was certainly worthy of the most respected scientific prize. Oxygen is life sustaining as is “freedom” as a needed element in the pursuit of science.
Freedom is the vehicle in which most of our scientific breakthroughs have been made. The “freedom” to go down rabbit holes, investigate dead ends and revisit beliefs that have been previously rejected and even ridiculed.
The use of hyperbaric oxygen (HBOT) as a treatment modality for conditions that have not yet been approved by the FDA and for disorders that mainstream medical research has long declared as deriving no benefit from HBOT still raises eyebrows from both sides of the clinical aisles. Exceptional Parent magazine has a long and revered tradition of providing information to the disability community for the sole purpose of asking questions such as, “Can this help my child?” or “Can this help my husband or wife?” We take that role very seriously and over the years have been criticized for promoting “sham science,” raising the false hope of parents and even negating evidence based practice. To those critics we respond that our obligation has been, and continues to be, conduits for information. It is hard to negate the reports of parents (including parents who also happen to be researchers, scientists, therapists and clinicians) who have reported positive outcomes in a variety of disorders that have been treated with HBOT. Many of these were personally witnessed by EP. Most mainstream medical journals that have studied the use of “out of indication” HBOT treatment conclude with this familiar statement, “The routine application of HBOT to these patients cannot be justified from this review.”
At times mainstream medicine gives the impression that HBOT has not been approved by the FDA for any intervention and that, of course, is completely inaccurate. Indeed, there are 14 FDA indications for the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy:
• HBOT for Air or Gas embolism
• HBOT for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
• HBOT for Gas Gangrene
• HBOT for Decompression Sickness
• HBOT for Arterial Insufficiencies
• HBOT for Delayed Radiation Injury
• HBOT for Compromised Skin Grafts and Flaps
• HBOT for Intracranial Abscess
• HBOT for Osteomyelitis
• HBOT for Crush Injury
• HBOT for Thermal Brain Injury
• HBOT for Severe Anemia
• HBOT for Idiopathetic Sudden Sensorial Hearing Loss
In EP magazine’s year-long information and education effort, we will explore the benefits and risks of HBOT in a number of areas: Sports and Hyperbarics, especially with respect to concussions and head trauma, but also with athletes recovering from sprains and strains, tears and bone fractures; Diabetes and Hyperbarics, and how this therapy has contributed to improved blood chemistry and decreased cardiovascular risk; Inflammation & Hyperbarics, particularly in the area of decreasing acute and chronic inflammation, minimizing pain and discomfort and relieving soft tissue and joint inflammation; Stroke Prevention and Stroke Recovery; Cerebral Palsy and Improved Cognitive Function, improved fine and gross motor skills, balance and walking; HBOT and Autism and much more. In this effort, we will draw upon the knowledge and experiences of physicians and scientists as well as families and caregivers, providing our readers with an objective independent perspective on the use of HBOT as adjunctive therapy for several major conditions affecting large segments of our population.
For parents of children and adults with significant, complex and life changing conditions, there is nothing that resembles, “routine,” and it is with that understanding and reflection that EP will continue to provide the special needs community with information intended to be shared with clinicians, therapists, researchers and advocates…“sharing of information” – the scientific equivalent of the oxygen of freedom.
Rick Rader, MD Editor in Chief Exceptional Parent magazine
Joseph M. Valenzano, Jr President CEO & Publisher Exceptional Parent magazine
ABOUT HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is the medical use of oxygen in a pressurized environment, at a level higher than one (1) atmosphere absolute (sea level). Increased pressure allows oxygen to dissolve and saturate more effectively in the blood system, primarily the plasma, which has been shown to yield a broad variety of positive physiological, biochemical and cellular effects. This non-invasive therapy is the most trusted and safest way to increase oxygen delivery to all organs of the body. The typical treatment lasts for 60-90 minutes, during which the patient lies down and breathes normally.
