Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the case of benign prostatic hyperplasia
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CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA
Prostate is a gland which is a part of male reproductive system. It is located under urinary bladder. Urethra runs through that. 60% of mature men more than 60 years old and 80% of men more than 80 have this gland enlarged, and become a source of problems with urination. This is a symptom of ageing related to the decrease in the level of androgens (mainly testosterone). The main symptom of prostatic hyperplasia is delayed urination (you have to wait for the stream of urine, which becomes slow and weak. The patient has a feeling that urethra is not completely empty, and this is frequently accompanied with the need of frequent urination. This urge to pass urine occurs also at night. Then it becomes difficult to stop the urine leak from urethra. Symptoms of prostatic hyperplasia might be relieved by means of medicines.
2.WHY IS HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY SO EFFECTIVE IN TREATMENT OF BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA?
- A cause of pollakiura that occurs in the case of patients with prostatic hyperplasia is insufficient oxygen supply for detrusor, whose long immobilization by enlarged prostate prevents it from proper performance of its function.
Increased supply of oxygen for the organism:
- Improves vascularization of detrusor
- Relieves skin inflammation by reactive oxygen species which have a strong antibiotic effect
- Improves the physical fitness and strengthens detrusor
- Improves the ability of urethra to accumulate a bigger amount of urine, especially at night.
2. Chronic prostatitis is one of the causes of male infertility.
HBOT (hyperbaric oxygen therapy), by improving microcirculation and oxygenation of pelvic organs, improves sperm structure and improves parameters of ejaculate function.
3. HOW DOES TREATMENT OF PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA IN HYPERBARIC CHAMBER LOOK LIKE?
Step 1.
Hyperbaric medicine specialist consultation – not every patient can be qualified for hyperbaric therapy!!! – Our experienced specialists, after consulting a medical practitioner specializing in therapy of prostatic hyperplasia (urologist), and careful collecting of medical history and medical examination, will decide how many and what treatments you need.
Step 2.
Individual treatment programme by means of hyperbaric oxygen treatment, dedicated for your disease. You’ll get the individual programme, which will include: a number and frequency of treatments (compressions), pressure which is adjusted to your health condition and vascular, diabetic and surgical medicine specialist’s orders, if you’re not yet ready for hyperbaric chamber.
Step 3.
Before entering the chamber, the doctor will examine you once again, and the nurse will measure your blood pressure. You’ll get special clothes and your own disposable oxygen mask.
Step 4.
Compressions – in therapeutic shared hyperbaric chamber recommended by National Health Fund, besides patients there will be the Attendant (doctor, nurse, paramedic), who will supervise you. That person will answer all your questions, will support you during the whole therapy. They will notice even the smallest deviations from the norm and will professionally react. Compression lasts for 1.5 hours. The pressure in the chamber increases slowly and is also slowly decreased. You’ll inhale 100% oxygen. Outside the chamber the chamber operator and the doctor will take care of your safety, and they will observe you on the monitors and will be in phone contact with the Attendant.
Step 5.
The end of a cycle of compressions. After you get out of the chamber and after you finish the cycle of compressions you’ll be examined by hyperbaric medicine specialist.
Step 6.
Do not forget to sign the book of patients cured!!! If our team comes up to your – we hope you’ll write a few words of praise – We work with passion for these words and for your smile.
4. WHAT IS THE OPINION OF SCIENTISTS ON HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY IN TREATMENT OF BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA?
Scientists, under supervision of dr OB Loran from the University of Moscow, have worked on opportunities of effective treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and inflammation of prostate since 1992. The research conducted by them in 1996 on a group of 30 patients confirmed the effectiveness of hiperbaric oxygen therapy in improving the condition of detrusor. The therapy eliminated the urge to pass urine at night. Dr Kalns and his associates in Davis Hyperbaric Laboratory, Brooks Air Force Base from San Antonio in Texas, USA used the hyperbaric oxygen therapy in treatment of prostate cancer. They noticed that this therapy increases the effectiveness of chemio- and radiotherapy, which destroy a higher number of cancer cells at the same time. What is more, reactive oxygen species produced in conditions of high concentration of oxygen lead to the reaction called oxygen stress, which predisposes to destruction of cancer cells.
Scientists from the Department of Urology and Kidney Transplantation in the University of Washington, USA, have proven the positive effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on treatment of complications after radiotherapy of prostate cancer.
This therapy can also reduce the symptoms and improve wellbeing of patients suffering from chronic uterus diseases.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy centres in the world, which treat benign prostatic hyperplasia and commplications after radiotherapy of prostate cancer:
- Florida Oxygen, USA
- HyOx Medical Treatment Center – NW Atlanta, USA
- BaroMedical Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Westminster, Canada
- Hyperbaric Medical Solutions Woodbury NY, Manhattan NY, Medford NY, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Catawba Valley Medical Center NC , USA
- Allegan General Hospital MI, USA
- LakeshO2re Hyperbaric Center, Chicago, USA
Prof. Agnieszka Pedrycz, PhD, MD