What Happens During a Stroke?
When a patient comes in that has suffered from a stroke, many times as a result they are left with tissue that is damaged and not working properly. When a stroke occurs, the brain’s supply of oxygen is temporarily stopped. The longer that it’s stopped, the less oxygen and blood gets to the brain. Without oxygen delivery to the brain, there is no longer a proper mechanism for the brain to nourish itself and remove toxic wastes. This damages the tissue to a degree where it stops being functional. Consequently, the brain tissue surrounding the damage swells up and becomes inflamed. Most patients that come in that have suffered from a stroke suffer from many injuries that prevent them from living a functionally healthy life. Here at NorCal Brain center, we want to assure these patients that we have the best and most up to date technology that can help redirect their life back on track.
How Does a Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Help People That Have Had a Stroke?
After someone has a stroke, they are many times left with tissue damage to the brain. Depending on where this tissue damage is, this can hinder basic abilities that help someone function in their day to day lives. The first purpose of the hyperbaric oxygen chamber is to improve the blood flow to the damaged tissue and return the blood flow back to normal. Our blood is filled with nutrients and oxygen that our body needs to recover from any sort of injury, so when there is a certain part of our body that is damaged or hurt our body compensates by sending more oxygen to that area. Nevertheless, our body can also do so much by itself and that’s where a hyperbaric oxygen chamber comes in. By being in an atmosphere that has up to three times the amount of pressure than normal, the hyperbaric oxygen chamber increases the amount of blood and oxygen that reaches the damaged tissue and helps the healing process along. In increasing the amount of oxygen that reaches the damaged tissue, then essentially, we can help reduce the inflammation and swelling as well. Not only does it help the tissue itself to heal, but also the increase in oxygen can also increase one’s cognitive functions leading to an improved quality of life. This includes but is not limited to an increase in memory function, better speaking ability, and even improved eyesight.
Can Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) Return Someone Completely Back to Normal?
The extent to how much we can return the damaged tissue back to normal is relative to the degree of the stroke and damage caused. Depending on where the damage is and the magnitude, there will be different treatments for each case. While we cannot confirm that someone will have a complete recovery, what we can ensure is that if the damaged area receives more oxygen through HBOT then it will start the healing process. As the healing process progresses patients will start to see improvements in whatever area they were struggling with after their stroke. Whether it is cognitive abilities, better vision, speaking ability, or higher memory function, patients will be able to function better in their day to day lives and lead a more manageable life.
Are There Any Possible Side Effects?
Every human body is different and can respond to HBOT in many ways. Common side effects are plugged ears, like what you feel when you are in an airplane or going up on a mountain. This is completely normal and is just your body’s way of adjusting to the higher pressure. Normally after HBOT the ears, like they do usually, will pop on their own. Feeling lightheaded or dizzy is also normal and is also part of your body’s way of dealing with the higher pressure. Please come to NorCal Brain Center if you have any questions at all about HBOT and would like to know if you are a candidate for HBOT. Make an appointment for a free consultation today and call (408)585-5275!
