Reawaken oxygen-starved brain after stroke

When you have a stroke, the blood supply to parts of your brain is cut off. [Click here](1770d7/ct0_0/1/ms?sid=TV2%3APAOK8SCoH) to view this message in your browser | [Click here](1770d7/l-002e/zout?sid=TV2%3APAOK8SCoH) to stop receiving our messages [] [] Al Sears, MD 11905 Southern Blvd. Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 [] June 10, 2024 [] Reader, When you have a stroke, the blood supply to parts of your brain is cut off. It’s the same result whether you have an ischemic stroke (when a clot blocks a vessel supplying blood to the brain) or a hemorrhagic stroke (caused by the ruptured blood vessel in your brain). Blood vessels get damaged or destroyed. That means the oxygen your brain cells need to live and function is also cut off. This lack of blood flow and oxygen often creates “dead zones” in your brain by killing both grey and white matter. Grey matter has a large number of neurons that store information. Your brain’s white matter forms the connections that transport the signals between neurons. It allows you to focus, learn, and problem-solve. [broth] Boosting your brain’s oxygen supply after a stroke is often the difference between full recovery and chronic, lingering disability. Doctors used to think the debilitating symptoms suffered by stroke victims, such as paralysis and difficulty swallowing and speaking, were caused by the death of neurons. But neuroscientists now know that the human brain regenerates neurons constantly — even after a stroke. In other words, given time, your neurons will replenish themselves. The real problem is the damage done to your white matter. When white matter cells are deprived of oxygen and die, they cause lesions in your brain, like scar tissue. And like roadblocks, they prevent brain-signal traffic from moving. That’s why HBOT is such a breakthrough. It restores cerebral blood flow. Studies now show that the life-giving effects of oxygen delivered at higher pressure actually speed up the production of new grey matter neurons. Research has also demonstrated that HBOT reduces brain swelling after a stroke.1,2 But even more importantly, it boosts brain neuroplasticity after a stroke. That’s your brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new white matter connections that bypass and find their way through the roadblocks created by the lesions.3 Exciting studies have shown that these connections can still be reformed and activated years after a stroke.4 Ramping up your brain’s oxygen supply after a stroke can mean the difference between full recovery and chronic, lingering disability. I’ve seen some truly astonishing results using HBOT with my stroke patients. It heals and revives parts of your brain that most doctors give up for dead and damaged. Oxygen restarts the same growth processes you enjoyed as a child. It encourages the regeneration of brain tissues, blood vessels, and nerves. Increasing oxygen loads up the red blood cells, thus promoting healing and regeneration. The treatment itself is easy and painless. You just lie down and breathe. You can watch TV, read, or even take a nap. The only difference is that you’re breathing pure oxygen at 1.5 times normal atmospheric pressure. Jumpstart Your Brain’s Oxygen Intake At Home But you can also boost your oxygen intake at home… This is important because if you’ve had a stroke, your risks are much higher for having another one. And that means preventing a second stroke can be the most important treatment of all. I recommend a few natural and powerful ways to get more oxygen into your blood and into your brain — and you can do them right from home: - Use the Sherpa’s secret: Tibetan Sherpas use Rhodiola rosea for energy, physical endurance and to protect against altitude sickness. For centuries, they’ve lived at high altitudes in the Himalayas and have aided climbers to ascend Mt. Everest without the need for supplemental oxygen. This tough little yellow flower, also known as Arctic Root or Golden Root, grows in some of the world’s harshest places, but it’s one of nature’s true medicinal gifts. Research supports what these Sherpas have always known. Rhodiola increases oxygen intake in your lungs and stimulates red blood cell production. Studies show that rhodiola also increases the oxygen-carrying capacity of your red blood cells.5 You can enjoy rhodiola in tea, the way the Sherpas do, or you can find it in capsule form. I recommend daily doses of 200 mg for the best effect. - Pump up your oxygen with PACE: You need to keep your oxygen levels up to prevent chronic inflammation. And the best way to do that is with short bursts of vigorous exercise found in my PACE fitness program. It’s extremely simple. You start with a simple exercise like running or jumping jacks. Do a set of these until you are winded. Then take a break and recover. And repeat for a total of three sets. Then gradually increase the intensity of each set. Over time, you’ll notice how much easier it gets at a higher intensity as you progress. You’ll also notice that the time it takes for you to recover will decrease. This means you’re boosting your body’s oxygen intake and utilization. The more you challenge your lungs, the bigger they get. And that means you’re getting more oxygen where it’s needed. In fact, PACE helps pump oxygen-rich blood to your vital organs by up to 18 times more than light exercise such as walking.6 As I always tell my patients, if you can move, you can do PACE. One of the easiest ways to get started with PACE is to start with an exercise you enjoy. Whether that’s swimming, running sprints, or walking. Just remember to keep increasing the challenge. And to rest and recover fully between each period of exertion. To Your Good Health, Al Sears, MD, CNS --------------------------------------------------------------- References: - Marcinkowska A, et al. “Impact of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on cognitive functions: a systematic review.” Neuropsychol Rev. 2022; 32(1): 99–126. - Bennett MH, et al. “Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for acute ischaemic stroke.” Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014 Nov 12;2014(11):CD004954. - Efrati S, et al. “Hyperbaric oxygen induces late neuroplasticity in post stroke patients-randomized, prospective trial.” PLOS One. 2013;8(1):e53716. - Efrati S, et al. “Hyperbaric oxygen induces late neuroplasticity in post stroke patients-randomized, prospective trial.” PLOS One. 2013;8(1):e53716. - Bernatoniene J, et al. “Phenolic compounds of rhodiola rosea l. as the potential alternative therapy in the treatment of chronic diseases.” Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Aug; 24(15): 12293. - Adapted from: von Ardenne, M. “Oxygen Multistep Therapy.” Thieme. 1990:144. alsearsmd@send.alsearsmd.com [Preferences | Unsubscribe](1770d7/l-002e/zout?sid=TV2%3APAOK8SCoH) 11905 Southern Blvd., Royal Palm Beach, Florida 33411, United States