Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

Oxygen Therapy for people living with IBD can be beneficial in managing the associated symptoms of IBD and in promoting healing and recovery. During Oxygen Therapy, you breathe pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber, a process designed to promote healing. 

Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis are two types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Both are lifelong conditions which cause inflammation in parts of the digestive system, and while they’re different, they have a lot in common. 

Around 300,000 people in the UK are known to be living with the disease, and many live with undiagnosed Crohn’s or Colitis. Because the nature of the symptoms can cause embarrassment, they don’t get discussed and sadly, that means many people are suffering in silence.

Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis are chronic conditions, characterized by inflammation of the digestive system/intestine and the development of sores and ulcerations. An abnormal immune system response in which white blood cells misinterpret food and bacteria as invading substances, this condition is discomforting and can become extremely painful. The symptoms can significantly impact on daily life.

The benefit of Oxygen Therapy in Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

• Increased oxygen delivery to all body tissues and reduced inflammation
• Better oxygenation of the area around the wounds and fistulas triggers healing response and wound closure
• Reduced pain and intake of pain medications
• Reduced mental and physical stress
• Improving restoration of bowel’s flora
• Improved elimination of toxins and washout of the metabolic products
• Eliminating bacteria and infection as well as increasing the effect of antibiotics
• Enhancing the effect of medication

Oxygen Therapy benefits people suffering from Ulcerative Colitis by increasing the oxygen levels in plasma and tissues which reduces inflammation and swelling, allowing the tissue to heal.

Further Sources of Information:

• Crohn’s Disease and Hyperbaric Oxygen – Is there a Link? Microsoft Word - Crohn’s Disease And Hyperbaric Oxygen.doc (o2oasis.com)
• Hyperbaric oxygen treatment for inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and analysis (nih.gov)