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Oxygen TherapyOnly one of them has any proven value. Known as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, it is the primary mode of treatment for gas embolisms (dangerous air bubbles in the bloodstream), the "bends" (a type of gas embolism that occurs when a deep-sea diver surfaces too quickly), carbon monoxide poisoning, and smoke inhalation. It is also generally accepted as supplementary treatment for burns, gangrene, radiation injuries, chronic bone infections, compromised skin grafts, non-healing wounds, destructive soft tissue infections, exceptional blood loss, and crush injuries. Two other forms of oxygen therapy--employing ozone and oxygen peroxide, respectively--have been touted as cures for cancer, a variety of infections, and many other problems. To date, there is no scientific evidence that they work. HYPERBARIC OXYGEN "Hyper" means increased; "baric" means pressure. During hyperbaric oxygen therapy, patients inhale 100 percent oxygen (versus 21 percent in the air we breath) under pressures of up to two atmospheres (pressure at sea level is described as "one atmosphere"). The most common environment for this treatment is a specially designed, air-tight chamber used for one person only. In a multiplace chamber--a room or series of rooms--a group of people may receive treatment simultaneously. In a single-place chamber, the patient lies down; in multiplace chambers, the patients may sit. Treatment occurs in three phases: compression, when pure oxygen is released into the chamber; treatment, when pressure is slowly increased to the prescribed level; and decompression, when pressure is slowly returned to normal. Patients are usually awake during the procedure. Patients who are uncomfortable in close, cramped spaces may find the single-place chamber anxiety-provoking. In such cases, a mild sedative may be given before treatment. Treatment Time and Frequency: The length and frequency of treatments depend on the patient's illness. For example, the standard recommendation for smoke inhalation is five 90 minute treatments followed by a review by a physician outside the treatment team to determine whether additional sessions are needed. Treatments for soft tissue injuries or tissue damaged by radiation therapy may require 2 hours in the chamber once a day for several weeks. Some chronic conditions may require therapy sessions on a long-term basis. OZONE THERAPY Ozone (O3) is a molecule of oxygen (O2) with an extra atom attached. Proponents of ozone therapy claim that the extra atom assures higher oxygen levels in the blood and tissues after normal oxidation begins stripping the atoms away. Ozone in the upper atmosphere absorbs certain forms of radiation, protecting us from its harmful effects. In the lower atmosphere, however, it can irritate the eyes and lungs and aggravate respiratory problems. For therapeutic purposes, it's taken in a variety of ways that avoid inhalation. Among the more common:
The "ozone machines" offered by various manufacturers will not suffice for this type of therapy. In fact, it should be administered only by an experienced practitioner, since excessive oxidation can be damaging. Treatment Time and Frequency: The number and length of treatments depend on the practitioner's approach to ozone therapy and the condition for which it is being administered. One treatment plan recommends sessions twice a week for 15 to 30 minutes. Practitioners who use ozone therapy to treat patients with HIV recommend treatments twice daily. HYDROGEN PEROXIDE THERAPY Most people know hydrogen peroxide as the liquid you buy at the drug store for disinfecting scrapes and cuts. It forms when ozone comes into contact with water: the extra oxygen atom attached to the ozone molecule breaks off and combines with a water molecule (H2O) to create hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). It exists in the atmosphere, in raw fruits and vegetables, even in mother's milk. In the human body it serves to activate the immune system, and is produced in areas such as the large intestine to prevent bacteria from growing out of control. Hydrogen peroxide is manufactured in different strengths or grades for different purposes. For example, the liquid at the drug store is 3 percent hydrogen peroxide. In manufacturing, a solution of 30 percent hydrogen peroxide is used to wash transistors before assembly. Cheese, eggs, and whey food products are washed in 35 percent "food grade" hydrogen peroxide, which is also used to kill microorganisms in food storage products such as aluminum foil. Advocates of "hydrogen peroxide therapy" usually recommend using food grade, 35 percent hydrogen peroxide, which can be purchased in some health food stores or by mail. They advise bathing in a diluted solution, gargling with it, spraying it over the body, or soaking injured body parts in it. Some practitioners inject the diluted solution directly into the bloodstream. Treatment Time and Frequency: Daily or weekly treatment recommendations are common, depending on the condition. For chronic ailments, hydrogen peroxide therapy may be recommended on a long-term basis. IV hydrogen peroxide therapy may take as long as 3 hours to administer. HYPERBARIC OXYGEN Hyperbaric oxygen has been used for more than a century to treat the effects of decompression sickness. When a diver surfaces to quickly, bubbles of gas develop in the bloodstream and threaten to disrupt circulation to vital organs. The pressurized atmosphere in the hyperbaric chamber reduces the size of these bubbles so that they can pass through the circulatory system without blocking the arteries. Used as an antidote for carbon monoxide poisoning, hyperbaric oxygen treatment floods the body with oxygen to force the carbon monoxide out. The high pressure within the chamber helps speed oxygen to the tissues where it's needed for vital body functions. Hyperbaric oxygen also has an antibacterial effect. To anaerobic bacteria (bacteria that live without oxygen) exposure to it is poisonous. In addition, since much of the body's immune system is oxygen-dependent, high oxygen levels can give a boost to the cells that fight off infection, particularly deep in the tissues. Hyperbaric oxygen can also compensate for disrupted circulation, helping to reduce swelling and promote tissue recovery following burn or crush injuries. Other applications are still considered experimental. Some plastic surgeons recommend hyperbaric treatment to hasten healing after the operation. Migraine pain, memory loss from dementia or Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis are other conditions for which the therapy is considered potentially beneficial. In some animal studies and limited clinical studies, hyperbaric oxygen has shown promise for treatment of stroke. OZONE AND HYDROGEN PEROXIDE Oxygen plays a key role in every cellular process. It supports the immune system, destroys toxic substances, fuels metabolism, and promotes new cell growth. Proponents of oxygen therapy (also called hyperoxygenation, superoxygenation, or oxidative therapy) contend that ozone and hydrogen peroxide, with their extra atoms of oxygen, are more efficient than ordinary O2 for fighting disease and repairing injury. They argue that increased oxidation in the body can neutralize toxic substances and kill invading microorganisms; and they advocate oxygen therapy for everything from infections to chronic fatigue. Even a partial list of the conditions they cite includes such circulatory diseases as gangrene, dementia, and stroke; such respiratory diseases as asthma, chronic bronchitis, and pneumonia, and such infectious diseases as herpes, candidiasis, and AIDS. Although the theory underlying use of these compounds may seem reasonable, their effectiveness has never been verified in clinical trials. Ozone, for instance, has been found to inactivate the AIDS virus in laboratory tests, but when given to patients, has failed to work any improvement. Speculation that high oxygen levels could cure cancer have also proven baseless. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found no evidence of any medical benefits from industrial-strength hydrogen peroxide, and has banned any claims to the contrary. Neither hydrogen peroxide therapy (or the solutions used for it) nor ozone therapy (and the machines used to make and dispense the gas) is approved or regulated by the FDA. Despite its detractors in the United States, oxygen therapy is widely used abroad. Proponents hint darkly that a "medical Mafia" has blocked its adoption in this country, favoring more lucrative pharmaceuticals over such cheap, readily available remedies as ozone and hydrogen peroxide. Whatever the truth of the matter, there's still no reliable evidence supporting their use. So for any condition with a clinically proven remedy, they have to be considered an experimental last resort. HYPERBARIC OXYGEN Avoid these treatments if you have a seizure disorder, emphysema, a high fever, or an upper respiratory infection. Do not undergo them if you have a severe fluid build-up in the sinuses, ears, or other body cavities. Forego them if you've had surgery for optic neuritis, or have ever had a collapsed lung. Avoid them, too, if you are taking doxorubicin (Adriamycin), cisplatin (Platinol), disulfiram (Antabuse), or mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon). Pregnancy was once considered a contraindication for hyperbaric therapy. However, it's now deemed acceptable if a condition will cause long-term damage to the mother or fetus. For example, the treatments are given to pregnant women with carbon monoxide poisoning, which is toxic to both mother and child. OZONE AND HYDROGEN PEROXIDE According to practitioners who use and study ozone therapy, the treatments should never be given to anyone with a hemorrhage--including a menstruating woman--because ozone can increase bleeding. For the same reason, ozone should be avoided by those with thrombocytopenia, a condition characterized by a lack of blood platelets that can lead to easy or profuse bleeding. Ozone therapy should not be given in cases of acute alcohol intoxication. It should also be avoided if you have a transplanted organ or any sort of prosthesis or metal or silicone implant. Do not undertake the treatments if you are pregnant, have recently had a heart attack, or suffer from hyperthyroidism. And avoid them if you are sensitive to ozone. Hydrogen peroxide is officially contraindicated for internal use. Never drink it or take it rectally; it can cause nausea and vomiting, and inflame the intestinal tract. If you are allergic or sensitive to this compound, you should avoid external contact as well. Some of the side effects are: HYPERBARIC OXYGEN Seizures, a result of the direct effect of oxygen on the brain, are the most serious side effect associated with hyperbaric therapy. The risk is estimated at one in 5,000. Every chamber is equipped with a quick-release mechanism. If a seizure occurs, the oxygen will be immediately released and the seizure will subside. Minor side effects include popping of the ears similar to that experienced in a descending aircraft. Sinus pain, earache, and headache are other possible side effects. In fact, pain may occur in any body cavity where air can get in but can't get out. For example, dental pain may occur if a filling has trapped air beneath it. In rare cases, pressurized oxygen may rupture an eardrum. OZONE AND HYDROGEN PEROXIDE Ozone is highly irritating to the lungs and can be fatal when inhaled directly. When administered by injection, it can cause phlebitis (vein inflammation), poor circulation, chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, coughing, flushing, heart irregularities, or bubbles in the bloodstream. When given rectally, it can inflame the lower intestinal tract. It is also highly irritating and drying to vaginal membranes. Hydrogen peroxide, when given by injection, may cause faintness, fatigue, headaches, and chest pain. Here's how you can choose the right therapist: HYPERBARIC OXYGEN Hyperbaric oxygen chambers are very expensive, and are usually found only in large hospitals and medical centers. They are often operated by the emergency medicine department, although internists and anesthesiologists are frequently involved with hyperbaric treatment and research. To get insurance coverage for the therapy, you'll need a prescription from a board-certified physician. The treatments themselves are usually administered by a technician working under a physician's supervision. Technicians are often retired undersea divers and Navy medical personnel with experience in handling gas under pressure. Nurses involved with hyperbaric medicine are known as baromedical nurses. Both nurses and technicians in this field must earn certification. One good way to determine if your prescribing physician is trained and knowledgeable about hyperbaric medicine is to ask if he's a member of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS). Membership ensures that the physician is practicing according to guidelines for the ethical use of hyperbaric medicine. You can double-check with the society to make sure your physician is a member; the society also provides free information about the specialty. The UHMS is in the process of developing a certification examination for physicians. Presently, the society offers continuing education courses in hyperbaric medicine through the American Medical Association, and issues credits for completing the training. (In some states, a physician must have completed 60 hours of training to qualify for reimbursement.) The Society approves conditions for which hyperbaric medicine may be recommended. It reviews published data in the field yearly and adds or withdraws approvals based on the latest medical evidence. OZONE AND HYDROGEN PEROXIDE These treatments are offered by selected physicians and naturopaths (practitioners who are trained in naturopathic medicine), among other health care providers. The Medical Society for Ozone Therapy, located in Stuttgart, Germany, certifies and trains many practitioners, as well as publishing research on the topic. Stop hyperbaric oxygen treatments immediately if you experience side effects or fail to see any improvement. Guidelines for treatment duration and frequency are available from UHMS. Hyperbaric treatments are expensive; ethical practice of this treatment option should follow the UHMS guidelines. If you decide to pursue either hydrogen peroxide or ozone therapy, suspend treatment if you see no improvement or your condition deteriorates. Walk away, too, if the practitioner makes any recommendations that you feel are counterproductive or threatening to your health. Do not rely solely on these therapies for any life-threatening condition such as cancer or AIDS. The stakes are too high, and the evidence too low, to make their use advisable. Additionally, because ozone and hydrogen peroxide are unapproved, unregulated forms of therapy, and may be offered by quacks as well as serious practitioners, you need to take the following extra precautions:
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