Oxygen Breaths New Life into Neurons!
Traumatic brain injury suffered as the result of a car accident can have devastating effects on the brain. For many brain injuries there is no available treatment for the genesis of the injury itself, just treatment of the symptoms. Just like the common cold, medical science does not have a cure, only treatment of the symptoms through medication.
Head injuries effect the neurons in the brain, sometimes the neurons are affected by metabolic dysfunction, meaning they have the energy to stay alive but not enough energy to function by generating the electric signals that the brain uses to work. Neurologists know that the brain uses about 20% of the bodies oxygen, however this is not enough oxygen to support all neurons at one time, only about 10% of the brains neurons are working at any one time. Brain cell regeneration requires much more oxygen to stimulate the healing of a brain injury. Therefore, HBOT (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy) forces more oxygen into the brain by ten times the normal amount which assists in brain cell regeneration and giving the brain cells energy to fire off electric signals needed for normal brain function.
"Analysis of brain imaging showed significantly increased neuronal activity after a two-month period of HBOT treatment compared to control periods of non-treatment, reported Dr. Efrati in PLoS ONE. Patients experienced improvements such as a reversal of paralysis, increased sensation, and renewed use of language. These changes can make a world of difference in daily life, helping patients recover their independence and complete tasks such as bathing, cooking, climbing stairs, or reading a book." Oxygen chamber can boost brain repair years after stroke or trauma from American Friends of Tel Aviv University, January 23, 2013.
For many years the only healing of brain injuries was time. Medical science could offer treatment of the symptoms but not the underlying physical injury to the brain cells. Oxygen therapy is very exciting for traumatic brain injury victims as it appears to jump-start the healing process, even many years after the original head injury.
May of our clients who have suffered brain injuries form car accidents suffer symptoms for more than a year, and typically, if a head injury symptom last more than one year it is probably permanent and not going to be healed by time. In the past the headaches, dizziness, and other long term symptoms of post-concussion syndrome have only been treatable through prescriptions which do not heal the injury itself. HBOT oxygen therapy is new and probably a few years off from availability to most traumatic brain injury victims. Like all new medical treatment and technology, it will eventually become more available and hopefully help some victims of head injury.
Brain injury law is a very specialized area that requires an injury attorney to have a good understanding of the ins and outs of traumatic brain injuries and the long term effects of these injuries on their clients. It is important for a lawyer to know how to explain to a jury through doctors and medical literature the effects of these injuries. It is so important in these cases because most people with brain injuries "look normal". A jury will see you during trial for several days or even weeks, you will "look normal" to them and they may think, "he looks fine, he can't be hurt that bad." Proving a broken bone is court is easy, the x-ray shows it; but brain injuries usually do not have evidence that can be seen on a x-ray, MRI, or CT image.
Hurt in a accident and need a brain injury lawyer? Call us today at (314) 863-0500 or contact us online to set up a free consultation at our office or a location more convenient for you. Also see our client reviews - 5 of 5 stars!
