Treating Lyme Disease with HBOT

What is Lyme disease? 

Have you heard of Lyme disease? Many haven’t, but for those suffering from Lyme disease, it can be a debilitating, frustrating and lonely journey.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection - caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium - transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks.

There are a number of common and early symptoms, such as fatigue, joint pain and even cognitive issues, as well as fever and chills, headaches, rashes, and swollen lymph nodes. But the long-term effects - especially if left untreated - can be debilitating. These range from arthritis which can persist for years, to inflammation of the heart causing cardiac issues and, concerningly, serious cognitive and neurological impairments.

Lyme Disease in Australia

For someone who has been on the Lyme disease journey, they would be well aware that in Australia there is significantly less awareness of the disease and therefore a greater likelihood of its range of symptoms being ignored, misdiagnosed or otherwise left untreated. 

For more information regarding Lyme disease, visit the Health Direct website.

Lyme Disease Symptoms - Why early treatment is important

Early diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease is critically important. The reason for this is that if not treated its symptoms can progress and become more and more severe.

For example, the fatigue suffered early on during infection can become serious and difficult to deal with, even with copious amounts of rest. The joint pain can lead to longer term swelling and significant discomfort, or even arthritis. And the neurological issues associated with Lyme disease can even lead to symptoms such as facial paralysis, numbness, tingling feelings and ongoing cognitive difficulties such as confusion and/or memory loss. 

Over the longer term, these issues become progressively more debilitating and chronic. Cardiac issues, as mentioned above, such as irregular heartbeats or ‘Lyme carditis’ can develop.

Lyme Disease Treatments

So, what can one do about Lyme disease?

Being a bacterial infection, the primary treatment and the one favoured by doctors is antibiotics. While the choice of medication will depend on the stage of the disease, the presenting symptoms and the individual’s specific circumstances, they can include any of the following: Doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime. 

Severe cases of Lyme disease or instances where symptoms have been ignored for too long, can require intravenous antibiotics or even medication specifically used for treating neurological effects, such as ceftriaxone. 

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Treatment for Lime Disease

Antibiotics and medication in general certainly have their place in the treatment of diseases. However, their efficacy can be dependent on numerous factors and even have limited effect when it comes to more chronic pain, neurological issues and long-term symptoms. 

But there is a promising complementary treatment for people suffering from Lyme disease.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is proving to be a popular and complimentary method for managing persistent symptoms associated with Lyme disease. 

What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

HBOT is a treatment that involves breathing heightened oxygen levels in a pressurised environment, called a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. 

The process is designed to enhance the amount of oxygen delivered to the tissues in your body and therefore promote its healing and recovery, including for those suffering from various medical conditions.

How does HBOT work?

The hyperbaric oxygen chambers use a specialised facility where the atmospheric pressure is increased to 1.5 to 3 times higher than the normal air pressure outside. These conditions allow the lungs to absorb significantly more oxygen than they would be able to when exposed to standard atmospheric pressure. 

The higher level of oxygen being breathed in increases the oxygen levels in the blood and tissues and dissolves directly into the plasma. This process allows oxygen to reach areas that may otherwise be deprived of adequate blood flow, facilitating enhanced cellular repair and regeneration.

Benefits of HBOT for Lyme Disease and Overall Well-Being

What are the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a Lyme disease treatment as well as for overall wellbeing and health?

Reduction in inflammation and joint pain

HBOT actively reduces inflammation and alleviates joint pain. Lyme disease often causes swelling and inflammation, which in turn leads to discomfort and pain. Through increasing oxygen levels in one’s tissues, HBOT promotes the release of anti-inflammatory mediators and consequently enhances the body's natural healing processes. For people suffering the debilitating effects of Lyme disease this can be of immense relief.

Improved cognitive and neurological function

Cognitive impairment associated with Lyme disease is sometimes referred to as "Lyme brain". It can range from memory loss to difficulty concentrating, and even overall mental fatigue or ‘brain fog’. HBOT can help to improve cognitive function by enhancing oxygen delivery to the brain which promotes neuroplasticity, mitigating neuroinflammatory responses and improving blood-brain barrier integrity. All of this contributes positively to cognitive function and overall well-being.

Faster chronic pain recovery

Chronic pain can persist amongst sufferers of Lyme disease even after standard antibiotic treatments. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy promotes tissue repair and regeneration through increased oxygen delivery and therefore stimulates the production of growth factors that enhance mitochondrial function—critical for healing. As a result, recovery from chronic pain is enhanced and overall physical health improved, even for those experiencing the long-term effects of Lyme disease.

Overall enhanced well-being

HBOT is not just a complementary treatment for Lyme disease. It also has significant potential in enhancing your overall physical and mental health. Hyperbaric oxygen chambers facilitate the healing of damaged tissues, reduce inflammation, and alleviate pain throughout the body, making you feel better, move easier and experience less pain. Even when it comes to your mental wellbeing, the brain benefits significantly from increased oxygenation leading to an overall higher quality of life.

Suffering the symptoms of Lyme disease? Book your HBOT therapy today.

Here at Studio 2 HBOT we understand the fundamental interconnectedness between the body and the mind. That’s what inspired us to create the ideal space for you to enhance your mental and physical well-being.

 Whether you are suffering from Lyme disease symptoms or just want to feel better overall; whether you are a long-term beneficiary of hyperbaric oxygen therapy or never even been to a hyperbaric oxygen chamber before - why not give it a go and see if you can feel the difference?

Book online today and take advantage of our introductory offer.