A series of children develop Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and down syndrome in early childhood. While ASD is a type of developmental disorder impacting the behavior and physical health of the child, down syndrome occurs due to the presence of an extra chromosome, which tends to impact the child both physically and mentally.
HBOT therapy for autism and down syndrome is slowly rising as a viable treatment for improving symptoms experienced in both health conditions. Below we have discussed in detail:
What is ASD?
ASD or autism spectrum disorder is a bracket term for several developmental issues that involve issues in behavior, communication barriers, and physical health problems. Usually, the healthcare professional is able to diagnose the condition within 2-3 years of birth. There are visible deficits in social communication, behavior, eating patterns, eye contact, etc.
Some typical signs of ASD are:
- Robotic speech
- Poor eye contact
- Difficulty in social communication
- No interest in communicating with peers
- Trouble expressing emotions
Most patients with ASD have repetitive behavior and are incapable of properly communicating their needs. HBOT therapy for autism can prove an early intervention mechanism to enhance brain cell metabolism and the overall health of the child. When used with other assistive treatments, such as speech therapy, it is known to be a positive impact on the child.
What is Down Syndrome?
Down syndrome, on the other hand, is a chromosomal disorder, in which the child gets an extra chromosome 21. This disorder is not caused because of hereditary issues. It simply occurs in some babies, and it can be diagnosed during utero screening as well. If it is not detected at the time of prenatal screening, the doctor can observe down syndrome immediately after the birth of the baby.
The severity of the disease varies drastically in different individuals. It can lead to lifelong issues, such as developmental issues, learning disorders, and intellectual disabilities.
Some signs of down syndrome:
- Slanting eyelids
- Short neck
- Flattened face
- Inappropriate muscle tone
- Shorter hands
- Small feet
HBOT Therapy for Autism and Down Syndrome
HBOT therapy for autism and down syndrome provides effective treatment for healing internal wounds and diseased cells. For example, foot ulcers, chronic wounds, pressure ulcers, skin grafts, etc.
At normal atmospheric pressure, our body is inhaling oxygen present in the air and transporting it throughout the body with the help of red blood cells only. As a result, when tissues and cells are damaged and inflamed, blood flow in that area reduces, which impacts healing to an extent.
We already know our body requires oxygen to heal and function properly. For this reason, HBOT therapy for autism and down syndrome is used. It increases the pressure, which ensures that our bodily liquids like lipids also carry oxygen. This means oxygen concentration in the blood is increased, which triggers a series of processes, such as reducing inflammation, stimulating stem cell regeneration, and triggers processes to reduce oxidative stress.
For example, children with autism are known to suffer from oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain. With HBOT therapy for autism, inflammation can be reduced as the cell metabolism enhances and healing starts. Further, contrary to the common belief, HBOT stimulates enzymes and processes that help reduce oxidative stress or free ions in the body.
Overall, these processes in the body improve the health of the child, increase attention, and comprehensively improve cognitive functioning.
However, for children suffering from autism or down syndrome, it is necessary to consult the primary physician for the right therapy. Here are some reasons why:
- Many children with down syndrome or chromosomal abnormalities also suffer from ventricular septal or atrial cardiac defects. In these situations, the primary care doctor needs to assess the feasibility of the therapy, as it can worsen the situation.
2.Another situation is when the child has a high amount of carbon dioxide in their blood. HBOT therapy for autism, in this case may be risky.
While these conditions are specific to autism and down syndrome, there are other things that the physician needs to assess. For example, an ear infection or pneumonia, or fever. Meeting with your child’s doctor and understanding the benefit or impact of HBOT therapy is necessary. It is, in fact, important to carry on with other assistive therapies that will help provide the best results.
One of the contraindications related to HBOT therapy for autism and down syndrome is tension pneumothorax, which leads to air accumulation in the pleural lung cavity. If you are considering HBOT therapy for your child, your HBOT expert must know about underlying health issues before creating a treatment plan.
Conclusion
Autism spectrum disorder and down syndrome are both conditions that don’t have a prominent cure. Doctors only work with possible symptom-based therapies that help relieve drastic issues faced by the patient. HBOT therapy for autism and down syndrome shows promising results. The therapy improves oxygen flow in the blood, which triggers a range of healing processes inside.
You only need to talk to your healthcare provider or child’s pediatrician for a comprehensive care plan.
