Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a painful gastrointestinal condition in which the GI tract is chronically inflamed. IBD includes specific conditions like Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, which are essentially non-healing internal wounds on the lining of the gut. Symptoms of IBD range in severity from moderate to debilitating and can dramatically impact the quality of life of those who suffer from it. People with IBD experience the effects of chronic cramping, diarrhea, bleeding, anemia, urgency, and weight loss. For some people suffering from long-standing IBD, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) can be an effective treatment.
IBD vs. IBS
IBD often gets confused with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), a more generic set of symptoms that can look a lot like IBD but not necessarily tied to a specific condition. The exact cause of IBD is unknown, although doctors believe genetics may play a part. Mainstream treatment includes corticosteroids, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, dietary changes, and in some cases, surgery. If you suffer from IBD or know someone who does, you’re probably all too aware of how stubborn it can be. Not everyone responds to medical treatment, and symptoms can flare up with a vengeance, making everyday life challenging.
That’s where Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) can play an important role. HBOT is a chamber that delivers pressurized oxygen through a mask, increasing the oxygen’s absorption into your bloodstream. Higher pressure means more oxygen gets into your red blood cells, making the excess available for your body to use in the healing process. The effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy are known to speed up recovery, reduce inflammation, and decrease IBD symptoms that haven’t responded to other treatments.
Recent research on Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for IBD found that 78% of patients with Crohn’s Disease and nearly 100% of patients with Ulcerative Colitis had significant improvement with HBOT, making it a valuable tool in the treatment of both conditions, even when conventional methods didn’t work.
Here are some ways HBOT can help with IBD by getting to the root cause:
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Reduces Inflammation
HBOT is known for its ability to reduce inflammation and help repair tissue. The extra oxygen gives the cells energy to repair and suppress the pro-inflammatory cytokines that prevent damaged tissue from healing.
The internal wounds associated with IBD often get stuck in a cycle of inflammation that can be difficult to treat. The damaged blood vessels leak fluid into the tissue, which then begins to swell. This swelling slows down circulation to the affected area, making it difficult for the body to get essential nutrients in and waste products out. Without circulation and oxygen, the affected area stays damaged until the inflammation goes down. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy stops this cycle by bringing extra oxygen into the bloodstream and increasing circulation so tissue cells can access the nutrients required for healing.
HBOT Boosts the Immune System
While the exact cause of IBD isn’t known, doctors believe that deficiencies in the immune system may play a part. HBOT supports the immune system by increasing oxygen to the tissue and killing the toxins released by harmful bacteria. Most of these bacteria are anaerobic, meaning they thrive in a low-oxygen environment, so pumping more oxygen into the body creates a climate where the bacteria cannot survive. This process helps fight off infection in the tissue so it can repair and may increase the efficacy of antibiotics if they are used as part of the treatment.
The increased oxygen also supports the immune system by helping white blood cells attack invaders in the body before they can do further damage. White blood cells help protect the wounds so they can heal and lowers the risk of infection.
The Effects of HBOT on Wound Healing
When tissue is damaged, so are the capillary networks that deliver oxygen to cells. Without oxygen, the wounds can’t heal and stay stuck in the inflammation cycle. Driving extra oxygen into the body helps rebuild capillary networks so the oxygen can get to the damaged tissue and encourage cellular repair and growth factors.
HBOT has the ability to stimulate stem cells and the growth of new connective tissue, which helps heal ulcers and lesions in the gut. In one study on Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for IBD, patients with severe Ulcerative Colitis received two-hour treatments for five consecutive days. At the end of five days, the bleeding in their gut had stopped completely.
Can HBOT Help You?
HBOT supports a combination of factors involved in healing IBD, including oxygen delivery, tissue production, blood vessel formation, immune function, and preventing complications like infection. IBD patients who received HBOT treatments experienced decreased blood in their stool, less frequent urgency, and overall improved in their quality of life.
If you suffer from symptoms of Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis, HBOT may play a big role in your healing process. To learn more about how HBOT at Ikigai Wellness can help you, schedule a consult today!
