You probably have read about O3 or Ozone gas, primarily found in the Earth’s upper atmosphere, in your geography textbooks. However, did you know that this highly reactive gas has several medical benefits?
Numerous trials and studies have found that ozone gas is a powerful oxidant with potential medical benefits. An IV ozone therapy can be used to treat various medical conditions, ranging from poor blood circulation to immune system disorders.
What is Ozone Therapy?
The ozone therapy process involves introducing ozone gas to the body to treat a particular disease or wound.
The therapy can be performed in multiple ways, such as administering ozone directly to the tissues, intramuscularly, or intravenously (IV).
Directly to the tissues: This method is used to treat intense issues and wounds. In this method, ozone gas or ozone-infused oil is directly applied to the body or affected area.
Intramuscularly: In this method, ozone gas is injected directly into the muscle using a syringe, and it’s usually applied to treat deeper tissues, like muscles and joints.
IV ozone therapy: This method is used to treat internal disorders, such as HIV. In this therapy process, a portion of the blood is taken from the patient body and treated with ozone. Later, the ozone-dissolved blood is injected back into the body.
To prevent any side effects or potential risk of air bubble formation the treatment should always be processed under an expert’s supervision.
Medical Conditions Treated with Ozone Therapy
Ozone therapy is widely used to treat several medical conditions throughout the world. Along with the conventional treatments, this therapy has shown promise in treating different health issues. A few among them are mentioned below.
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Poor Blood Circulation
Improving blood circulation is the primary benefit an individual receives from ozone therapy. According to many scientists, ozone enhances the flexibility of Red Blood Cells (RCBs), allowing them to pass through narrow blood vessels more smoothly.
Additionally, ozone has anti-inflammatory properties, which dilate the blood vessels, prevent blood clotting, and thus improve blood flow.
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Breathing Disorders
Since ozone therapy improves blood flow, it increases oxygen levels in the blood and delivers oxygen-rich blood to the tissues and the lungs as well. Besides, the therapy can help reduce stress on the lungs by boosting the oxygen level in the blood.
For many medical professionals, ozone therapy is also effective in treating chronic respiratory issues, such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma.
A study by ResearchGate found that injecting ozone-dissolved blood or undergoing IV ozone therapy can improve the quality of living and exercise ability in individuals with COPD who were former smokers.
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Diabetes
Oxidative stress in the body often causes complications in Diabetes patients. Ozone is believed to reduce oxidative stress by reducing inflammation and activating the body’s antioxidant and immune system.
Also, ozone therapy helps alleviate wounds and reduce the risk of infection in patients with diabetic foot ulcers.
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Chronic Pain
IV ozone therapy is considered a complementary treatment for different chronic pain conditions, such as chronic back pain, fibromyalgia, and osteoarthritis.
A study conducted from 2012 to 2016 has stated that ozone is a safe medical therapy to improve pain management and the condition of patients with knee osteoarthritis.
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Neurological Disorders
The antioxidant properties of ozone help combat free radicals associated with neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Medical professionals believe that ozone therapy might improve brain functions by supplying enough oxygen to the brain cells and tissues. They also believe that the anti-inflammatory properties of ozone might help reduce inflammation in the brain.
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Immune Disorders
Ozone helps stimulate the immune system. Therefore, the therapy has great potential to treat immune disorders.
A 2018 study showed that ozone-dissolved blood injected into people with HIV can reduce their viral load over two years.
Ozone therapy is often used to improve immune function in autoimmune conditions like lupus, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis.
Is IV Ozone Therapy Safe?
While research on IV ozone therapy is ongoing, the safety profile of the therapy has been significantly improving.
Several studies suggest the therapy can be well-tolerated when performed by trained professionals and with proper medical supervision.
However, some individuals may experience mild side effects, like fatigue or headache, which usually resolve within a short time. Therefore, it’s crucial to discuss any underlying health conditions with your doctor before undergoing the therapy.
Remember, IV ozone therapy is not the ultimate cure for any medical condition, but rather it’s a potential complementary therapy alongside conventional treatment. Consider having open communication with your healthcare provider to ensure a safe and healthy experience.
Wrap Up
While some studies on IV ozone therapy have shown positive responses in treating conditions, like poor blood circulation, chronic pain, and neurological and immune disorders, the success rate of the therapy is still uncertain.
Always prioritize consulting a physician before undergoing ozone therapy.
