Lyme Disease and Hyperbarics

The United States Center for Disease Control is now reporting that there are over 300,000 new cases of Lyme disease each year. (Source: CDC)

Additionally, as the disease remains difficult to identify and diagnose, the definitive number of people affected is currently unknown, making this the fastest growing infectious disease in the U.S.

The tick-borne bacterium or spirochete (Borrelia burgdorferi) is protected by the biofilm it creates to hide from the immune system, and can often lie dormant for years. Often antibiotic interventions alone fall short in providing much needed symptomatic relief.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been shown to elevate tissue oxygenation, which can be lethal to this bacteria, increase white blood cell activity and enhance antimicrobial responses. Oxygen is essential in the killing of bacteria and by exponentially raising oxygen levels throughout the body, the efficiency of bactericidal action of white blood cells can be enhanced dramatically.

Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Those With Lyme Disease

Clinical data and case reports have demonstrated the lasting benefits of HBOT for Lyme disease with the following:

Ameliorate Neurological Conditions with HBOT

• Decreases Neuroinflammation
• Enhances Short-Term Memory
• Reduces Chronic Fatigue
• Improves Concentration
• Ameliorate Chronic Headaches
• Lesses Depression
• Moderates Insomnia

Increase Mobility with HBOT

• Diminishes Inflammatory-related Arthritic Pain
• Lessens Muscle Distance
• Improves Walking Distance
• Amplifies Energy Levels

Enhance Antibacterial Effects with HBOT

• Induces Angiogenesis to Mobilize Blood Flow to Affected Tissue and Bone
• Augments Antibiotic Interventions by Driving Spirochete Out of Biofilms
• Enhances White Blood Cell and Immune System Activity
• Improves Antibiotic Cell Wall Penetration
• Increases Oxygen Free Radicals to Combat the Bb (Borrelia burgdorferi) Organism

Study: HBOT for Lyme Disease

An exploratory trial, conducted at Texas A&M University, examined and evaluated the effects of HBOT for Lyme disease in 91 patients. All patients failed to respond to intravenous antibiotics and 67% of the patients remained on antibiotic treatment during the trial. Patients ranged from children to adults. At the completion of the trial, 75% of patients completed anywhere from 10-133 treatments (60 minutes, twice daily, five days a week). Approximately 85% showed a significant improvement by a decrease or elimination of symptoms. Most patients began to show major improvements after the reaction subsided and well beyond the conclusion of HBOT. Follow-up from 6 weeks to 6 years showed that benefits sustained in approximately 70% patients.

Fife, William P; Freeman, DM (1998) Treatment of Lyme disease with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society Annual Meeting.

Additional Studies:

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an effective adjunctive treatment for chronic Lyme disease

An Overview of Lyme Disease and Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) Therapy

Maintenance of infective Borrelia burgdorferi Sh-2-82 in 4% oxygen – 5% carbon dioxide in vitro.

Source: International Hyperbarics Association

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