HBOT involves breathing 100% pure oxygen at pressures 2-3 times higher than normal atmospheric pressure. This increased pressure allows your body to absorb significantly more oxygen than is possible at normal air pressure[16][17]. Breathing exercises, even deep breathing techniques, cannot recreate this high-pressure environment or deliver such concentrated oxygen levels.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has emerged as a promising adjunctive treatment for neurological symptoms associated with Lyme disease, particularly in cases where traditional antibiotic therapy has not provided complete relief. Here’s how HBOT can help treat neurological Lyme disease:
Mechanism of Action
HBOT works by delivering high concentrations of oxygen under pressurized conditions, which has several beneficial effects:
1. Killing Bacteria: The elevated oxygen levels create an environment where the anaerobic Lyme-causing bacteria cannot survive[1].
2. Improved Tissue Oxygenation: HBOT increases oxygen delivery to tissues, including the brain and nervous system, which can help overcome cellular hypoxia caused by Lyme disease[3]. HBOT increases oxygen levels in the blood and tissues by 10-15 times normal conditions[4]. This elevated oxygen concentration can penetrate deep into tissues, reaching areas where the bacteria may be hiding.
3. Reduction of Inflammation: The therapy has anti-inflammatory effects, potentially alleviating neurological symptoms associated with Lyme disease[3].
4. Enhanced Immune Function: HBOT supports the body’s natural defenses against bacterial pathogens by boosting immune function[3]. The therapy can improve immune system function, helping the body fight off the infection more effectively.
Benefits for Neurological Lyme
HBOT can address several neurological symptoms and complications of Lyme disease:
1. Cognitive Improvement: The treatment may help alleviate “Lyme brain” or “brain fog” by enhancing oxygenation and supporting brain function[3].
2. Neuroprotective Effects: HBOT can help protect and potentially repair damaged nerves affected by Lyme disease[3].
3. Fatigue Reduction: Many patients report decreased fatigue and improved energy levels after HBOT sessions[4].
4. Pain Relief: The therapy may help reduce joint and muscle pain associated with neurological Lyme[1].
Treatment Approach
HBOT is typically used as an adjunctive therapy alongside antibiotics or other treatments for Lyme disease. Patients undergo sessions in a hyperbaric chamber, breathing 100% pure oxygen at increased atmospheric pressure[2]. The number and frequency of sessions can vary based on individual needs and response to treatment.
Where Kris Kristofferson Got HBOT
Some informaton states that Kris Kristofferson underwent HBOT at a clinic in Malibu, California. This treatment was part of his overall approach to managing Lyme disease, which he had been misdiagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease for years before the correct diagnosis was made.
Effectiveness
While more research is needed, several studies and clinical experiences have shown promising results:
– A study published in the Journal of Chinese Medical Association reported successful treatment of chronic Lyme disease using HBOT after antibiotic therapy had failed[5].
– Researchers at Texas A&M University found that HBOT treatments were effective in treating Lyme Disease due to the higher pressurized atmosphere producing oxygen levels that killed off the causative bacteria[4].
It’s important to note that while HBOT shows promise, it is not yet FDA-approved for treating Lyme disease and is considered an off-label treatment[1]. Patients considering HBOT for neurological Lyme should consult with healthcare professionals experienced in both Lyme disease and hyperbaric oxygen therapy to develop a personalized treatment plan.
How Lyme Causes Cellular Hypoxia
Lyme disease can cause cellular hypoxia through several mechanisms:
1. Mitochondrial dysfunction: Lyme disease can impair mitochondrial function, reducing the cells’ ability to produce energy through oxidative phosphorylation. This leads to increased reliance on anaerobic glycolysis and reduced oxygen utilization[9]. Lyme borreliosis patients showed significantly higher levels of mitochondrial superoxide and lower levels of cytosolic ionized calcium in their peripheral blood mononuclear cells compared to healthy controls. This imbalance of reactive oxygen species and cytosolic calcium suggests oxidative stress and disrupted intracellular communication, potentially leading to mitochondrial dysfunction in immune cells of Lyme patients[13].
2. Inflammation: The inflammatory response triggered by Lyme disease can cause tissue swelling and impaired blood flow, reducing oxygen delivery to cells[9]. Pro-inflammatory cytokines play a significant role in the immune response to B. burgdorferi[14]. The balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses, particularly involving IFNγ and IL-10, appears crucial in determining the course and severity of Lyme arthritis[14].
3. Altered metabolism: Lyme infection upregulates glycolytic pathways and downregulates the TCA cycle, shifting cellular metabolism away from efficient oxygen utilization[9]. B. burgdorferi has a highly restricted metabolic capacity and relies solely on glycolysis for ATP production[15]. This suggests the bacteria may drive infected cells towards increased glycolysis.
4. Oxidative stress: Lyme patients often show increased levels of oxidative stress and elevated mitochondrial superoxide production, which can damage cellular components and impair oxygen utilization[9][10].
5. Calcium dysregulation: Lyme infection can cause fluctuations in cytosolic calcium levels, which are critical for maintaining cellular and mitochondrial function. This disruption can lead to impaired oxygen metabolism[9][10].
6. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) activation: Early Lyme disease is associated with enhanced levels of HIF-1α, a transcription factor that responds to low oxygen conditions and alters cellular metabolism[9].
7. Vascular effects: Lyme disease can potentially affect blood vessels and circulation, leading to reduced oxygen delivery to tissues.
These factors combine to create a state of cellular hypoxia in Lyme disease patients, where cells struggle to efficiently use oxygen despite its presence. This hypoxic state contributes to many of the symptoms associated with Lyme disease and can persist even after antibiotic treatment, potentially explaining some of the long-term effects of the condition.
Read More
[1] https://www.nationalhyperbaric.com/hbot-treatments-and-conditions/lyme-disease
[2] https://www.baromedicalhbo.com/blog/how-can-hbot-help-treat-lyme-disease/
[3] https://chicagoneuro.com/hyperbaric-oxygen-treatment-hbot-for-lyme-disease-a-promising-adjunctive-therapy-for-symptom-relief-and-recovery/
[4] https://aviv-clinics.com/blog/brain-health/can-hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-treat-lyme-disease/
[5] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24726678/
[6] https://projectlyme.org/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-hbot-for-lyme-disease-interview-w-dr-alexander-alvarez/
[7] https://projectlyme.org/how-does-hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-treat-lingering-lyme-disease/
[8] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1726490114000422
[9] https://www.evolutamente.it/living-with-lyme-bones-mitochondria-hypoxia-the-calcium-connection/
[10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4392059/
[11] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6963883/
[12] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2021.666554/full
/
[13] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25838067/
[14] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9488587/
[15] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7942402/
[16] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2022.963799/full
[17] https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy/about/pac-20394380
[18] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3495772/
[19] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23152851/
[20] https://joemilleryoga.com/2020/03/30/does-deep-breathing-increase-blood-oxygenation/
[21] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5709795/
[22] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfknEr2ctRI
[23] https://www.uhhospitals.org/blog/articles/2024/02/breathe-your-way-to-better-health-and-less-stress
[24] https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/wellness/breathing-exercises
[25] https://welltory.com/how-to-increase-blood-oxygen-levels/
[26] https://blog.nasm.org/fitness/exercise-essentials-a-better-understanding-our-aerobic-energy-pathway
[27] https://www.nature.com/articles/s42255-020-0251-4
[28] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24860-hyperventilation-syndrome
[29] https://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/0619p48.shtml
[30] https://academic.oup.com/ptj/article/91/9/1412/2735165?login=false
[31] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25899100/
[32] https://lifemoves.ca/exercise-therapy-benefits-those-with-lyme-disease/
[33] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21737523/
[34] https://researchdirects.com/index.php/healthsciences/article/view/107
[35] https://www.globallymealliance.org/blog/crashing-after-activity-with-lyme-disease
[36] https://www.hopkinslyme.org/lyme-disease/treatment-and-prognosis-of-lyme-disease/
[37] https://geneglobe.qiagen.com/us/knowledge/pathways/oxidative-phosphorylation
[38] https://mixafix.com/services/#chamber
