LYME DISEASE AND HYPERBARIC THERAPY
While there are only an estimated 300,000 people afflicted with Lyme Disease in the United States, the incidence rate continues to soar at an alarming rate each year. The CDC speculates that because the condition mimics so many other illnesses, the actual number of people with Lyme disease may be 5 to 10 times higher than the estimated 300,000 of reported cases coping with the disease.
Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi (bg), which is transmitted to humans by infected deer ticks. While short term sufferers of Lyme report symptoms including bull’s eye rash, fever, flu like symptoms, migraines, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, a large number of cases are misdiagnosed and quickly develop into a more serious condition known as late disseminated Lyme.
Late disseminated Lyme comprises of many debilitating symptoms and has been considered very difficult to treat in the medical community. Symptoms include fever, flu-like symptoms, migraines, fatigue, muscle and joint aches seen in early stage Lyme, but also accompanied by immune system dysfunction, nervous system abnormalities, chronic axonal polyneuropathy, or encephalopathy, cognitive disorders, sleep disturbance, personality changes, and cardiac problems. While the condition is not considered fatal, symptomology is so severe that many patients are bed-bound.
Due to the vast range of symptomology present in Lyme, often times patients are misdiagnosed with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, depression, arthritis, and even psychiatric problems. In addition, there is not one diagnostic test for the condition, further complicating a diagnosis and proper treatment, thus creating a perfect storm of endless therapy and financial expense.
HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has been used more and more frequently in the past decade to treat Lyme disease. A ground breaking study published by Dr. William Fife of Texas A&M University, demonstrated dramatic improvements in overall condition of Lyme patients treated with hyperbaric. Hyperbaric has been shown to reduce pain significantly, modulate the immune system, increase energy, alleviate sleep dysfunction, and reduce cognitive impairment. In most cases, patients are also able to discontinue use of antibiotics or other pharmaceuticals.
Hyperbaric oxygen treatments infuse the body systemically with oxygen, increasing O2 levels by up to 1000% in body tissues through the increased pressure. Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme are considered microaerophilic, needing small amounts of oxygen to survive, but dies in the presence of abundant oxygen. Hyperbaric also acts as an immune modulator and allow organ and gland functionality to normalize, reducing many debilitating Lyme symptoms. Because the chambers pressurize the atmosphere, hyperbaric acts as a detoxifier as well. By forcing oxygen into the tissues through this pressure, toxins, chemicals, other impurities and spyrochetes are forced out.
As with antibiotic treatment, patients may experience a Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction, after initial hyperbaric oxygen treatment. Also known as “Herxing”, the reaction occurs when the borrelia burgdorferi are destroyed, resulting in a temporary die off effect causing fever, chills and a weakness to occur for a short period of time. Many times a Herxheimer reaction indicates that a Lyme therapy is effective.
A typical HBO₂T protocol consists of a 40 hour block of treatment spread out over a month of time. This allows for a constant killing of the spyrochete throughout its 28 day reproductive cycle. Various other detox methods are also employed such as certain proteolytic enzymes, food grade hydrogen peroxide, megadoses of vitamin C, ionic footbaths, chelation, and lymph drainage. This protocol should be considered a full time effort for the 30 day time frame. If symptoms persist beyond 30 days, a second round would be considered.
The price at Hyperbaric Chicagoland is very moderately priced at $2,000. Financing is available.
