Chronic illness
Each chronic illness has it's own difficulties and treatment protocol.
Oxygen therapy serves to aid various therapies in their
quest to cure or treat various illnesses.
Parkinsons
Alzheimer's Disease
Cancer
Stroke
Sleep Apnea
Multiple sclerosis
Autism
Cerebral Palsy
Peripheral Neuropathy
Circulatory Disorders
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Arthritis
Fibromyalgia
Chronic Pain
Parkinson's
Those suffering from Parkinson's have found that oxygen therapy made a notable difference in tremours and improved general wellbeing. Parkinson's is caused by damage to a certain part of the brain. Higher levels of oxygen leads to regeneration of these damaged neurons.
Cancer
Cancer cells thrive in an environment of low oxygen and high sugar intake. By decreasing the amount of sugar in the diet and using oxygen therapy, cancer struggles to spread and survive. Oxygen therapy can also aid in strengthening the immune system after bouts of chemotherapy. Oxygenate can help you strengthen your immune system
Sleep Apnea
The narrowing of the airway reduces air and oxygen to the body and leads to a lower oxygen level. Oxygen therapy leads to an increase in oxygen saturation in the body, possibly giving back what the body needs.
Autism
Studies show that oxygen therapy aids in reducing inflammation in the brain. This is coupled with higher levels of enriched oxygenated blood to key areas of the brain that could help in the treatment of Autistic behaviour.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Oxygen therapy can aid in the treatment of peripheral neural damage. An increase in circulation and higher levels of oxygen in key brain areas may lead to regeneration and ultimately, better movement.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Studies have found relief from the main symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome using oxygen therapy. Some of these include weakness, muscle and joint pain, headaches, insomnia, anxiety, depression, indigestion and impaired brain function.
Fibromyalgia
Studies suggest that oxygen therapy could help break the pain cycle associated with Fibromyalgia. Oxygen therapy also showed improvements in areas of the brain that lead to the experience of pain.
Alzheimer's disease
Stroke
Studies have found that oxygen therapy can slow the progress of Alzheimer's disease. Poor blood flow to the brain has been seen as a factor in Alzheimer's disease. Oxygen therapy increases the amount of oxygen present in the brain and aims to reverse this side effect of lower oxygen levels.
Our brain uses about 20% of the oxygen we breathe. This is not enough to regenerate after a stroke event. Oxygen therapy aims to increase the levels of oxygen available to the brain to aid in neuron regeneration.
Multiple Sclerosis
In a study, a male that was permanently disabled experienced improvements in speech, cognition, gait, and urinary habits. Oxygen therapy can aid the brain in receiving more oxygen. This could result in the improvement in managing Multiple Sclerosis.
Cerebral Palsy
A study where children with Cerebral Palsy were treated with oxygen therapy showed promising results. Improved gross motor function, fine motor control, reduced spasticity and individual improvements noted by the parents were noted.
Circulatory Disorders
Arthritis
One of the biggest aids of oxygen therapy is the increase of circulation. Those suffering from circulatory disorders experience different side effects of reduced blood flow to key areas. By increasing circulation, these side effects of poor circulation are managed.
Studies show a marked decrease in the side effects of Arthritis. Inflammation causes pain and oxygen therapy has been shown to relieve pain and discomfort caused by inflammation in various areas of the body.
Chronic Pain
Oxygen therapy has been found to reduce pain in numerous studies. Breaking the pain cycle can be achieved through various treatments and oxygen therapy has been found to offer a role in the list of therapies available.
Advice and motivators for dealing with Chronic illness
Acceptance
Support
We generally try to avoid things we don't like. By accepting a condition or illness, we ready our minds to fight it. Take your time and don't pressurise yourself to accept it immediately.
Friends, family, healthcare workers or any other form of support will help. We're in this for the long run, so don't go through this alone.
Optimise
Believe
Find ways to work around your chronic illness or disease and optimise your day and life. By getting creative and practical, one can still achieve and progress even while dealing with a chronic illness or disease.
Believe in your doctors, your treatment, your support and in yourself. Humans are capable of great things and we never know how far we can go. Back yourself, you've got this.