John F. Ruhland, ND — Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine — 206-723-4891
Dr. Ruhland’s goal at the Natural Health Medical Clinic is
to help you restore balance to your body, mind, and spirit.
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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Radiation Injury
by John Ruhland, ND

Dr. Ruhland and the HBOT chamber
Each year, there are roughly 1.2 million new cases of invasive cancer. About half of these receive radiation which is meant to kill the cancer. Radiation oncologists typically expect up to 5 percent of their patients to develop severe reactions to radiation treatment itself. These negative effects are compounded when chemotherapy is also used.

Acute reactions occur during or soon after irradiation, and almost always resolve with time. They are treated according to the patient’s specific symptoms.

Chronic complications occur months-to-years after irradiation, and usually worsen with time. These primarily result from scarring and narrowing of the blood vessels. Due to the lack of oxygen, chronic complications can progress to cause destruction of the tissue around the affected vessels.

Chronic radiation damage is called “osteoradionecrosis” when the bone is damaged and “soft tissue radionecrosis” when skin, muscle or organs are damaged.

Since the 70s, surgeons have recognized the benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) in treating radiation damage, especially in the jaw bone, where HBOT produced the most dramatic benefits. It is also used to treat damage to the brain, face, throat, chest wall, abdomen, pelvis, bladder, and intestine.

HBOT therapy involves placing the client in an oxygen-rich, pressured environment. Each healing treatment usually involves 30-40 daily treatments of one-to-two hours each.

November 23, 2003

Resources

“Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy”
by Dr. John F. Ruhland

“Macular Degeneration Therapies”
by Dr. John F. Ruhland

“Approved Indications for Hyperbaric Oxygen”
from the Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society

Research References on Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
from the Rapid Recovery Hyperbarics, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Center

“BLKS-303 MK system for hyperbaric oxygenation therapy”
from Khrunichev Medical

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John F. Ruhland, ND — The Natural Health Medical Clinic — 206-723-4891
On Beacon Hill, just south of downtown Seattle
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