Did you know that 30% of COVID infected patients suffer from some kind of long term symptoms? In the UK alone, approximately 20 lakhs people are suffering from long covid symptoms that include brain fog, inability to concentrate, fatigue, weakness, loss of taste or smell, myocarditis etc. For some, the symptoms have been persistent that they haven’t even been able to get back to work like they would normally do.
Study conducted by the Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research at Shamir Medical Center and Tel Aviv University
As of now, there doesn’t exist a cure for COVID infection. All the pharma companies and medical researchers have got are the vaccines (which we know are not 100% effective) and some medicines to help the body fight the infection.
Curious researchers at Tel Aviv University studied 73 patients who were suffering from long covid symptoms such as brain fog, inability to concentrate, amnesia and difficulty to recollect etc. The batch was divided into two groups where one group had 37 patients who were given HBO Therapy and the rest 36 were let to breathe normal air.
Details of hyperbaric sessions received by the 37 patients
Each of them had to undergo 40 sessions of hyperbaric therapy, each session lasting for 90 minutes. One session a day and five such sessions in a week for 8 weeks. All of them were supplied with 100% pure medical grade oxygen under 2 ATA (2 times the atmospheric pressure so that more oxygen gets dissolved in the blood).
Results of HBOT on long covid patients
As per the study, “Significant improvement in their global cognitive function and more cognitive improvement related to their specific damaged brain regions responsible for attention and executive function” were noted. Patients saw significant improvement in their cognitive skills, sleeping patterns, improved energy levels, reduced symptoms of long covid and many more changes to their bodies.
“The study revealed that HBOT can induce structural and functional repair of the damaged regions of the brain and improve the cognitive, behavioral and emotional function of the unfortunate patients suffering from post COVID-19 conditions” said Shai Efrati, leader of the research group and the director of the Sagol Center.
Dr. Shai Efrati added saying “We report the first case of successfully treated long COVID symptoms with hyperbaric oxygen therapy with improvements in cognition and cardiopulmonary function. The beneficial effects of hyperbaric oxygen shed additional light on the pathophysiology of long COVID. As this is a single case report, further prospective randomized control studies are needed.”
Do you have a long COVID?
Self diagnosis is very simple. If you are not able to think and perform at work or home or elsewhere like ‘before covid’, and it has been a few months since you recovered, you may be having symptoms of long COVID.
If you have a problem thinking like before or lost your creativity or ability to recall, you probably are suffering from long COVID. Some physically very active individuals have a problem taking stairs when they are suffering from prolonged effects of COVID infection. Any kind of deteriorated brain function or physical function could be a sign of long covid if you have actually recovered from the infection months ago.
Should long COVID patients try HBOT?
In 99% of the cases, there is nothing that can go wrong with HBOT. The worst thing that can happen is you getting better physically and mentally. If you are suffering from any kind of fatigue or reduced cognitive abilities, you must sign up for HBOT sessions to see the difference yourself. HBOT works like magic with no medicine required and there is no age limit to undergo the therapy.
