HBOT for Bell's Palsy

　　Overview of Facial Neuritis

　　Facial neuritis, commonly known as facial paralysis or Bell's palsy, is a condition characterized by impaired motor function of the facial expression muscles. Key symptoms include mild pain on one side of the face, paralysis of the facial muscles, flattening or loss of forehead wrinkles, inability to frown, incomplete eye closure, shallow nasolabial folds, drooping mouth corner, deviation of the mouth toward the unaffected side when smiling, food accumulation between the teeth and cheek on the affected side, and tearing due to lower eyelid ectropion.

　　Mechanism of HBO Therapy for Facial Neuritis

　　Improves Hypoxia: HBO rapidly alleviates hypoxia in damaged nerve fibers, restoring aerobic metabolism and increasing energy production to promote nerve recovery.

　　Relieves Nerve Compression: It induces rapid vasoconstriction, reduces pressure within the nerve canal, alleviates compression on the damaged nerve, promotes the resolution of nerve edema, and halts axonal degeneration.

　　Promotes Nerve and Effector Recovery: While aiding nerve repair, HBO also supports the recovery of effectors (e.g., muscles) and accelerates nerve reinnervation, speeding up functional restoration.

　　Improves Local Micro-circulation: HBO effectively enhances local micro-circulation, quickly reduces edema, improves ischemia and hypoxia, promotes blood flow, lowers blood viscosity, and supports facial nerve recovery.

　　Treatment Protocol and Efficacy

　　Combined Therapy: The best outcomes are achieved when HBO is initiated as early as possible alongside standard treatments like medication, acupuncture, massage, and physiotherapy. For peripheral facial neuritis, HBO provides the fastest and most effective anti-inflammatory, circulation-improving, and nerve-recovery benefits. Central facial nerve lesions may require more sessions with relatively slower effects.

　　Optimal Timing: HBO treatment should begin as soon as medically feasible. Intervention within 24 hours of onset can promptly interrupt the vicious cycle of edema and hypoxia, correcting tissue oxygen deficiency.

　　Important Considerations for HBO Therapy

　　Contraindications: HBO is not suitable for individuals with untreated conditions such as pneumothorax, mediastinal emphysema, pulmonary bullae, active internal bleeding, severe emphysema, severe sinusitis, second-degree heart block, bradycardia, retinal detachment, or early pregnancy.

　　Treatment Environment: The therapy is administered in a sealed chamber pressurized with pure oxygen, creating an oxygen concentration higher than at normal atmospheric pressure. Treatment duration and pressure are determined based on the patient's condition and the physician's recommendation.

　　Managing Ear Discomfort: Pressure changes during HBO often cause ear discomfort, including a feeling of fullness or muffled hearing—similar to sensations experienced during air travel or diving. This is common; consult your doctor for preventive measures and management strategies.

　　Article reposted from 'Meng Hongtao 1971'