1. Promote Blood Flow to Damaged Areas of the Brain
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, also known as HBO, is used often used to treat individuals who suffer from cerebral palsy. By spending time in an oxygen-rich environment, such as the one provided in a hyperbaric chamber, blood flow can be increased in certain areas of the brain. Since cerebral palsy is caused by tissue damage to the motor areas of the brain, and increased blood flow can promote the healing process, many cerebral palsy sufferers notice a reduction in symptoms such as muscle spasms, impaired vision and difficulty with speech and hearing.
2. Follow Your Doctor's Recommended Plan for HBO Therapy
Hyperbaric chambers are typically small rooms that produce a controlled environment that is rich in oxygen. Most doctors recommend a program of intense 1-hour sessions in a hyperbaric chamber over the course of just a few weeks. For instance, a typical HBO therapy regimen may include one or two 1-hour sessions per day, five or six days per week, until a total of 40 sessions have been completed. The patient will then be examined by a team of medical professionals to see if positive results have occurred. If a reduction in cerebral palsy symptoms is documented, another 40 sessions will be scheduled after a break that usually lasts a few weeks.
3. Bring a Friend
Since hyperbaric therapy carries a fairly low medical risk to patients with cerebral palsy, it is usually possible to have company in the chamber during therapy sessions. Usually a nurse or other health care professional may accompany the patient to ensure the chamber is operating properly. Children, however, are usually allowed to bring a parent or guardian into the hyperbaric chamber to help them feel less afraid of the procedure. Side effects from the hyperbaric chamber are usually mild to non-existent, and may include minor ear discomfort or difficult breathing in patients who may also be suffering from lung diseases. In most cases, spending time in a hyperbaric chamber is very similar to flying in an airplane.
