Abstract
Hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) is traditionally considered a widespread additional method of therapy for various diseases that are associated with impaired tissue metabolism. Its use in neurological diseases of various origins is based on the significance of cerebral hypoxia as one of the leading pathogenetic factors. HBO increases blood oxygenation, which intensifies redox processes in tissues, improves cellular metabolism, decreases cerebral edema and intracranial pressure, and, ultimately, improves treatment results for neurological diseases of various pathogenesis. The use of HBO can form highly active oxygen compounds, some of which have antiviral activity. Therefore, taking the increased tissue oxygenation into account, HBO is considered a very promising treatment method for patients with coronavirus disease-2019.
HBO is recommended for carbon monoxide poisoning, stroke and poststroke disorders, dementia (including vascular dementia), and craniocerebral injury, as well as in craniocerebral injury consequences and benign intracranial hypertension. The results of using this method for headaches of vascular origin, polyneuropathies of various origins (including diabetic polyneuropathy), multiple sclerosis, and infantile cerebral palsy are less conclusive.
The existing contradictory opinions regarding the HBO protocol and the indications for the use of this treatment method require further research in this field.