Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is defined as a chronic degenerative disease of the central nervous system. Gradual destruction of myelin occurs in patches throughout the brain, spinal cord, or both. This interferes with the nerve pathways and causes muscular weakness, loss of coordination and speech, and visual disturbances. It occurs in young adults and is thought to be a defect in the immune system that may be genetic or viral in origin.

Hyperbaric oxygenation is not a cure for MS, but it is used to mitigate progression of the disease and improve the quality of life. Many Multiple Sclerosis patients report improvements in their overall symptoms and their function ability. Patients have reported improvements in:

• Muscle Control
• Sensory Perception
• Vision
• Balance
• Speech
• Bowel and Bladder Control
• Stamina
• Pain
• Concentration

patients in the United Kingdom have been treated with HBOT (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy) for over 30 years and they have long-term findings showing persistent long-term benefits of HBOT.

Results with HBOT have been very impressive even with advanced disease patients. Combinations of antibiotics and diet have been used to ensure a positive outcome. A US university announced that Minocycline or Doxycycline helps to slow the progression of MS for years. Patients should also be tested for Brucellosis, which mimics MS, but is caused by a mycoplasma (bacteria). HBOT and antibiotics are recommended if Brucellosis is diagnosed.

MS patients also report a low normal blood pressure or low blood volume thought to be the result of a virus or mycoplasma thought to be caused by MS. These symptoms caused fatigue, weakness and a general malaise. If any of these conditions are found, a combination of antibiotics, HBOT and in some cases IV vitamins and minerals to increase blood volume and provide temporary symptom relief.

Recent research from the University of Dundee in Scotland shows that the inflammation typical in an MS flair severely limits oxygen availability in affected tissues. HBOT helps reduce the swelling and increase the quantity of oxygen to all tissues. This increased oxygen helps prevent scarring or plaque formation and aids the body's healing process.

HBOT breathing 100% oxygen causes vasoconstriction which causes the dilated leaky blood vessels in MS to constrict back to normal size and reduces the swelling, due to fluid gathering, which can lead to cells dying. Drugs can also cause vasoconstriction but reduce the available amount of oxygen tissues receive when blood flow is reduced. Oxygen is the safest "drug" available when administered by trained professionals.

Patients suspected of having MS, CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) or FM (Fibromyalgia) could also be tested for Lyme disease as the symptoms in all these diseases are much the same in the early stages. In one case all the people in a CFS/FM support group where tested for Lyme disease and all where found to be suffering from Lyme disease. The appropriate treatment for Lyme disease includes antibiotics and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Results of 1970's studies prompted the first controlled study at NYU. The outcome was very positive despite choosing chronic progressive or stable patients who had the disease at least 11 years.

The authors matched and randomly divided the patients into experiment and control groups. Examinations were given before, during and after a course of HBOT treatments by masked observers. The authors suggested more studies with longer follow-up periods and using patients with acute symptoms.

A second trial also recruited chronic patients who had the disease for over 10 years. The study showed significant improvement in bladder function. The one year follow-up showed less cerebellar deterioration in the HBOT group.

The bladder function was transient lasting only six months as did other symptom improvements. Groups treated weekly for a year with HBOT confirmed an appreciable positive difference in measured performance.

In a study that followed patients for 8 years they were all treated with an initial 20 HBOT treatments. Half were then treated with an HBOT treatment every 20 days. The frequency of relapses decreased dramatically in the prolonged treatment group whereas they gradually increased in the group which received only an initial course of treatment. Oxygen delivered under hyperbaric conditions is the only agent to have resulted in improvement in patients with chronic progressive and chronic stable MS.

While the MS Society does NOT endorse ANY treatment for MS, it does NOT regard it as dangerous or expensive. A study of 703 patients followed in England for 10 or more years found a significant reduction in deterioration in patients with increased frequency of follow-up treatments. The need for continuing treatment is now accepted. Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy shows a lack of oxygen in acute episodes of MS that shows the urgent need for administration of oxygen. The possibility of preventing sclerosis by treatment during acute attacks has still to be studied further. There is no substitute for HBOT treatments.

Suggested treatment schedule

HBOT should be started as early as possible following diagnosis in order to stop establishment of irreversible lesions. An initial series of treatments may help to stabilize the condition, and occasional booster treatments may help reduce progression of the disease, or lessen an exacerbation of symptoms.

One to two daily treatments, five days/week for a total of 20-40 treatments is the usual protocol to stabilize the disease, with booster sessions as needed. Booster sessions are recommended to maintain health or if symptoms flair. Many patients take 1-2 sessions per month for maintenance. Individual responses vary.