| |
After a traumatic brain injury, brain cells die from the trauma and/or lack of oxygen. While blood plasma seeps into the surrounding brain tissue causing inflammation and reduced blood flow, the cells within the damaged area fall dormant due to a lack of oxygen and are commonly known as “idling neurons.” These idling neurons are neither dead nor fully functioning and HBOT is thought to jumpstart them. In The Oxygen Revolution: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Dr. Paul G. Harch describes how hyperbaric oxygen provides an increase in blood plasma oxygen levels that allows the damaged tissue to heal, prevent plasma from leaking into the damaged region, and reduce inflammation. As the swelling decreases, blood flow is restored to the damaged area providing the idling neurons with an opportunity to function.
|
