Depression is one of the most widespread diseases of civilisation. It significantly affects the quality of life, manifesting itself through a decrease in mood, lack of energy and loss of interests; what used to give us pleasure is drastically losing its value.
What is worse, people with depression often struggle not only with the illness itself, but also with a lack of understanding from their immediate environment. It is easy to trivialise depression as a simple case of ‘being depressed’ or ‘not feeling well’. It is a common misconception that each of us has full control over how we feel.
We have mentioned the widespread prevalence of depression for a reason. It is estimated to affect around 17% of the population worldwide. This means that of the 10 people we pass while walking down the street, for example, two are likely to be suffering from one of its forms.
How do we tackle with this disease, which, if left untreated, can lead to the induction of a severe condition in the affected person, or even death? Fortunately, we have a few tricks up our sleeve, although it is fair to say that treating depression with medication provokes some reflexive opposition – after all, ‘mood enhancers’ carry side effects such as dullness.
Therefore, the first findings of an attempt to assess how hyperbaric oxygen therapy compares with other methods of combating depression seem promising.
What is oxygen therapy all about?
It is an innovative method of treatment that involves supplying the body with an adequate amount of oxygen under controlled conditions. Of course, the oxygen enters the body in a much higher concentration than would occur during ‘normal’ breathing.
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For oxygen therapy to work, the whole procedure must take place inside a hyperbaric chamber. While inside, the patient is exposed to elevated atmospheric pressure (e.g. 1.3 ATA).
Would you like to find out more? In a separate section we explain what hyperbaric oxygen therapy is, how exactly it works and which diseases it can help with.
Mechanism of action of oxygen therapy in the treatment of depression
The treatment involves adequate oxygenation of the body’s tissues, which consequently leads to a reduction in anxiety and an improvement in patients’ mood.
Depression looks uneven; there are several varieties of this illness. These include endogenous depression, respiratory depression, reactive depression, perinatal depression and dysthymia.
Oxygen therapy is particularly effective for endogenous and respiratory depression. It influences the body at a cellular level, which provides adequate nutrition to the tissues and improves their functioning.
The issue of respiratory depression in particular deserves attention. It is no exaggeration to say that in the case of respiratory depression, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a life-saving treatment.
A matter of safety
As an advanced therapeutic method, oxygen therapy is characterised by a high level of safety. The entire procedure is always carried out under the close supervision of trained professionals. And it does not matter whether you undergo it in a medical facility or take advantage of the increasingly common appearance of hyperbaric chambers in places such as beauty salons or fitness clubs.
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While we are on the subject of chambers, it is worth emphasising that they are designed to the highest medical standards. The safety of the person inside is always at the forefront.
Before starting the treatment, the staff operating the entire process will ensure that there are no contraindications to oxygen therapy. If you have any doubts, we recommend contacting your doctor first. He or she will assess, based on an examination and his or her own knowledge, how much the entry into the chamber is acceptable in your case.
Conclusions
Oxygen therapy appears to be a promising tool in the fight against depression, offering prospects for effective relief of its symptoms. Oxygenation of the body under controlled conditions achieved inside hyperbaric chambers can have a positive impact on patients’ mental health. In some cases (respiratory depression) it has the potential to save from the worst effects of chronic illness.
So what conclusions can be drawn from our reflections above?
1. Comprehensive impact – by acting at the cellular level and improving microcirculation, oxygen therapy not only improves mood, but also the overall functioning of the body;
2. Supporting conventional therapy – oxygen therapy can complement standard therapy for depression, broadening the spectrum of effective treatment methods. At the same time, it is non-invasive and has no undesirable side effects;
3. Safety – this is backed up by technological advances in the design of hyperbaric chambers, as well as the strict procedures that accompany each treatment. The list of contraindications is short, and consultation with a doctor allows for an opinion on the real possibility of taking part in the treatment;
4. Perspectives for further development – although oxygen therapy is no longer an ‘experimental method’, research into its possibilities is still ongoing. This opens the way for improved procedures, as well as an increasing understanding of its action and the positive effects it has on the human body.
All these conclusions flow to the single, final one: oxygen therapy has real potential to be an effective tool in the treatment of depression. Its efficacy, combined with its low risk, makes it a promising therapeutic direction for those struggling with this serious illness.
Do you know someone who is currently struggling with depression? Share this article with him/her – any light at the end of the treatment process is useful; any hope for recovery.
