Stroke

Strokes are a highly prevalent condition that are the leading cause of chronic disability, the second leading cause of dementia (1), and the fifth leading cause of death in the US (2). Strokes occur when blood flow to a specific area of the brain is interrupted, or when a blood vessel bursts and causes bleeding in the brain. Lack of blood flow and/or brain bleeding results in brain cell death and damage, which can lead to cognitive impairments, motor issues, headaches, and vision problems (3).

 

Extivita Therapies for Stroke:

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Extivita Therapies for Stroke Recovery:

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Stroke

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Neurofeedback Therapy for Stroke

Neurofeedback

Supplements for Stroke

Supplements

Nutritional IV Therapy for Stroke

Nutritional IV Therapy

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) for Stroke

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Stroke:

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy - Chapel Hill
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been shown to be effective in the late chronic stage of strokes by multiple studies. After receiving 40-60 HBOT treatments, one study found that 86% of the patients experienced clinically significant improvements in all cognitive domains. This included memory, executive function, attention, information processing speed, and motor skills(4).

 

Additional studies report similar findings of improved ADLs (activities of daily living), brain metabolism, and quality of life(5,6). Brain scans showed that the damaged locations of the brain were significantly healed and reactivated in more than half of the patients(6). HBOT improves stroke symptoms by healing brain cells that were initially damaged by the stroke as well as stimulating the growth of new brain cells(4,7).

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Effects of HBOT on Stroke:

Grows New Blood Vessels

New Blood Vessel Formation

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy stimulates the formation of new blood vessels, healing injured tissues that were unable to get nutrients and oxygen.
Increases Stem Cell Production

Increased Stem Cell Activity

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy mobilizes stem progenitor cells (SPCs) from the bone marrow, creating the opportunity for tissue regeneration.
Decreases Inflammation

Decreased Inflammation

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy reduces systemic inflammation by increasing anti-inflammatory gene expression and decreasing proinflammatory genes.
Neurofeedback Therapy in Durham, NC

Neurofeedback for Stroke:

The brain has been shown to have remarkable capacity to form and reorganize synaptic connections (neuroplasticity) and recovery even in severe chronic stroke. Neurofeedback can facilitate neuroplasticity and enhance motor learning, control, memory, and cognitive function (6-7).

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IV Therapy for Stroke:

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an important antioxidant molecule in the body and the brain. Ascorbate (reduced form of vitamin C) scavenges free radicals, recycles other antioxidants, protects brain cells from cell damage/death. Ascorbate has been associated with neuroprotection pre- stroke, in acute stage of (and reperfusion stage), and in chronic phases of stroke (8-10). In addition, we also offer B12 with our Vitamin C infusions. B12 has been shown to enhance nerve repair (11).

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Nutritional IV Therapy in Durham, NC
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) in Durham, NC

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy for Stroke:

Micro vessels play a big role in overall course of vascular diseases. Dysfunction to this system has been linked to a multitude of illnesses. The PEMF device has been shown to optimize the microcirculatory system, increasing perfusion to tissues and organs. When used in conjunction with HBOT, oxygen rich blood can be delivered to these areas, where healing can begin (12).​

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News & Research for Stroke:

References
  1. Roger, Véronique L., Alan S. Go, Donald M. Lloyd-Jones, Robert J. Adams, Jarett D. Berry, Todd M. Brown, Mercedes R. Carnethon, et al. “Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2011 Update.” Circulation 123, no. 4 (February 1, 2011): e18–209. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0b013e3182009701.
  2. George, Mary G. “CDC Grand Rounds: Public Health Strategies to Prevent and Treat Strokes.” MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 66 (2017). https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6618a5.
  3. “Stroke: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment.” Medical News Today. Accessed June 26, 2019. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/7624.php.
  4. Hadanny, Amir, et al. “Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Improves Neurocognitive Functions of Post-Stroke Patients – a Retrospective Analysis.” Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 38, no. 1, IOS Press, Jan. 2020, pp. 93–107. content.iospress.com, doi:10.3233/RNN-190959. 
  5. Boussi-Gross, Rahav, et al. “Improvement of Memory Impairments in Poststroke Patients by Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.” Neuropsychology, vol. 29, no. 4, July 2015, pp. 610–21. PubMed, doi:10.1037/neu0000149. 
  6. Efrati, Shai, Gregori Fishlev, Yair Bechor, Olga Volkov, Jacob Bergan, Kostantin Kliakhandler, Izhak Kamiager, et al. “Hyperbaric Oxygen Induces Late Neuroplasticity in Post Stroke Patients – Randomized, Prospective Trial.” PLOS ONE 8, no. 1 (January 15, 2013): e53716. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0053716.
  7. Zhang, John H., Takkin Lo, George Mychaskiw, and Austin Colohan. “Mechanisms of Hyperbaric Oxygen and Neuroprotection in Stroke.” Pathophysiology 12, no. 1 (July 1, 2005): 63–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pathophys.2005.01.003.
  8. Sreedharan S, Sitaram R, Paul JS, Kesavadas C. Brain-computer interfaces for neurorehabilitation. Crit Rev Biomed Eng. 2013;41(3):269-279. doi:10.1615/critrevbiomedeng.2014010697
  9. Kober, S.E., Schweiger, D., Witte, M. et al. Specific effects of EEG based neurofeedback training on memory functions in post-stroke victims. J NeuroEngineering Rehabil 12, 107 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-015–0105-6
  10. Harrison, Fiona E, and James M May. “Vitamin C function in the brain: vital role of the ascorbate transporter SVCT2.” Free radical biology & medicine vol. 46,6 (2009): 719-30. doi:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2008.12.018
  11. Sánchez-Moreno, Concepción et al. “Decreased levels of plasma vitamin C and increased concentrations of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers after stroke.” Stroke vol. 35,1 (2004): 163-8. doi:10.1161/01.STR.0000105391.62306.2E
  12. Alexandrova, Margarita & Bochev, Petyo & Markova, Vanya & Bechev, Blagovest & Popova, Marina & Danovska, Maya & Simeonova, Virginia. (2003). Oxidative stress in the chronic phase after stroke. Redox report : communications in free radical research. 8. 169-76. 10.1179/135100003225001548.
  13. Wu, Fangfang et al. “Vitamin B12 Enhances Nerve Repair and Improves Functional Recovery After Traumatic Brain Injury by Inhibiting ER Stress-Induced Neuron Injury.” Frontiers in pharmacology vol. 10 406. 24 Apr. 2019, doi:10.3389/fphar.2019.00406
  14. https://www.imin-org.eu/images/science/Haug-Report-Bemer_2016_Englisch.pdf