Attention-Deficient/Hyperactivity Disorder
Chilling Out with the Power of Oxygen Under Pressure!
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a chronic disorder that can be diagnosed in children or adults. Typical symptoms include hyperactivity, difficulty with focusing, inattentiveness, sleep disruptions, food allergies, lack of restraint, disorganized lifestyle and thought processes, mood swings, and executive function dysfunction. Most research has pointed to genetics as the main cause of ADHD, however, some studies have pinpointed environmental triggers such as toxic exposures during pregnancy or early childhood, brain injury, and low birth weight.
Marked brain differences have been documented between children and adults with ADHD versus those without the condition. A study done on children showed that ADHD brains are smaller than the average non-ADHD brain. Other research has found that ADHD brains tend to have less gray matter, abnormal white matter and differing thickness and density of the cerebral cortex region of the brain.
While there is no known cure for ADHD, there are therapies and modalities used to help make life easier for patients. Traditional treatments for ADHD include behavioral therapy, diet changes to exclude ingredients that trigger hyperactivity, and stimulant drugs.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is growing in popularity for children and adults with ADHD alike. Increased oxygen in the brain may lead to the production of neurotransmitters that are lacking in ADHD brains. Hyperbaric therapy has been clinically proven to trigger a parasympathetic response in the autonomic nervous system, which means it calms the body from a stress response to a restful and restorative state. Many patients report that a treatment in a hyperbaric chamber immediately calms their bodies and brains, making it easier for them to relax and sleep. Long term anecdotes report that continued treatments reduce anxiety, inattentiveness and mood swings.