Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a group of disorders that cause long term inflammation of the intestines. IBD is a lifelong complication and currently available treatment options are only to manage the symptoms. Types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease include Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative colitis and Microscopic Colitis. IBD is commonly seen in people between 15 to 30 years of age.
Crohn’s Disease – Crohn’s disease indicates inflammation (pain and swelling) of any part of the digestive tract that can be anywhere from mouth to the anus. Usually in most cases, inflammation is seen in small intestines or the upper part of large intestines.
Ulcerative Colitis – This is a condition where swelling and/or sores are seen in the lining of the large intestine or rectum.
Microscopic Colitis – A condition where the intestines are inflamed that can be detected only with a microscope.
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)?
HBOT or Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is a supplemental treatment used to treat several diseases that are not easily manageable with conventional medicines. The treatment doesn’t involve usage of any medicines. The person/patient is made to lie down or sit inside a closed chamber which is filled with (near) 100% pure medical grade oxygen. The pressure of the chamber is maintained 2x or 3x that of normal atmospheric pressure so that more amount of oxygen is inhaled by the person inside the chamber.
As more oxygen is inhaled by the person inside the chamber, more oxygen gets dissolved in the blood and also in the plasma part of the blood. The oxygen is then supplied to every part and cell of the body even to the places where there wasn’t enough supply previously. For any injury (internal or external) to heal, oxygen is very essential. Supplying more oxygen to injured parts of the body helps in angiogenesis (building of new blood vessels) and also in forming new cells and tissues that help in faster healing.
Visit this link to know more about the medical conditions are treated by HBOT currently.
How HBOT helps in treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
When a person suffering from Inflammatory Bowel Disease is subjected to HBOT, more oxygen is inhaled under higher pressure. This dissolves a lot more than normal amount of oxygen in his/her blood. The dissolved oxygen is supplied to the inflamed/injured sites in the intestines helping them heal.
HBOT also helps in reducing swelling. The tissues that are damaged due to sores or inflammation also lose blood vessels that are essential for supplying blood to the injured spot. As said, HBOT helps in angiogenesis where new blood vessels are formed that again supply more blood to the area. Building up of blood vessels and supply of oxygen stems the growth of new cells and tissues that are required for healing. As a result, the sores on the intestines heal from the inside out.
HBOT helps in treating IBD by preventing reperfusion injury. Usually when blood supply normally returns to injured tissues which were deprived of oxygen, harmful oxygen radicals are released. This is called reperfusion. The release of oxygen radicals can damage the tissue further. When excess oxygen is supplied through HBOT, these oxygen radicals are removed from the body preventing this damage. Also, the excess oxygen supplied boosts the ability of white blood cells to destroy the bacteria that release toxins in the walls of intestines.
What is the cost of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Chennai?
Typical cost of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Chennai costs around Rs.10,000 per session but you will be given package options that work our much cheaper per session. You can choose your number of sessions depending on the need/underlying condition that needs to be treated. If HBOT is done as a supplemental procedure along with any other medical procedure, HBOT sessions may also be covered by your insurance provider as a part of the treatment. Check with our hospital insurance department for further details.
