Parkinson’s Disease (PD)

According to the American Parkinson Disease Association, Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a type of movement disorder that can affect the ability to perform common, daily activities. It is a chronic and progressive disease, meaning that the symptoms become worse over time. It is characterized by its most common of motor symptoms—tremors (a form of rhythmic shaking), stiffness or rigidity of the muscles, and slowness of movement (called bradykinesia)—but also manifests in non-motor symptoms including sleep problems, constipation, anxiety, depression, and fatigue, among others.

There are an estimated 1 million people in the U.S. living with Parkinson’s disease and more than 10 million people worldwide. Most people who develop the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease do so sometime after the age of 50, but Parkinson’s disease can affect younger persons as well. Approximately 10% of Parkinson’s diagnoses occur before age 50—these diagnoses are called Early Onset (or Young Onset) Parkinson’s disease.

Research shows overwhelming evidence that oxidative stress has a major role in neuronal degeneration. This, combined with an imbalance in antioxidant defense and repair mechanisms may lead to the loss or death of neurons in the part of the brain that plays a critical role in motor movement. Up to 40-60% of patients with Parkinson’s Disease often experience symptoms of anxiety and depression as well, which can worsen the neuromotor symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy decreases inflammation, oxygenates the entire body, stimulates the growth of new healthy blood vessels, and dramatically increases stem cell activity. A typical course of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy increases by eight-fold the number of stem cells circulating in the patient’s body. Stem cells, also called progenitor cells are crucial to injury repair.

Research suggests that HBOT can improve neurological outcomes by increasing enzymes in the body that protect cells and prevents neuronal damage. It has also been shown to decrease depression, anxiety, and tremors in patients with Parkinson’s Disease.