Should You Use Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy For Radiation Cystitis?

TL;DR: Yes, you should use hyperbaric oxygen therapy for radiation cystitis instead of conventional, painful treatments. The research is there (as you’ll see further down the road) and there is no one to oppose it.

Did you know that about half of the people who get radiation treatment for cancer in the lower belly area end up having bladder problems? [1]

If you’re reading this, you’re probably looking for a way to ease the burning and frequent urges to pee that won’t go away without using the usual, painful and conventional methods of treating Radiation Cystitis.

In this article, I took a deep dive into the scientific research around hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and Radiation Cystitis as a possible answer to your problems. By the end, you’ll understand why HBOT could be the key to improving your bladder health and making your days more comfortable.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy For Radiation Cystitis – What research says

First things first. The research.. Here’s what I found:

• In a 2019 systematic review published in the International Journal of Urology, researchers looked at how well hyperbaric oxygen therapy works for treating radiation cystitis. They checked 20 recent studies and found that out of 815 patients treated with this therapy, around 87% had a good overall response, and about 65% had complete relief. Some patients had minor side effects, but serious ones were rare. However, this treatment might not be easy to find or affordable.

• In a 1995 study published in the Lancet, researchers looked at how hyperbaric oxygen treatment could help patients with severe bleeding in their bladder caused by radiation therapy. They gave 40 patients 20 sessions of breathing pure oxygen in a special chamber. After treatment, bleeding stopped or got better in 37 patients. Over about 2 years of follow-up, bleeding came back rarely. This treatment seemed safe and could be a good option for patients with severe radiation-related bleeding.

• In a 2012 clinical investigation published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, researchers looked at using hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to treat bleeding in the bladder and rectum caused by radiation therapy. They treated 19 patients who didn’t respond to other treatments. After HBOT, most patients saw a decrease in bleeding and reported fewer symptoms. Some patients had bleeding come back later, but overall, HBOT seemed to work well with few side effects.

• In a 2013 study published again in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, researchers studied how hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) affected symptoms in patients who had radiation therapy for pelvic cancer. They treated 39 patients and found that HBOT helped reduce symptoms in most of them. Patients reported feeling better in their urinary and bowel functions after HBOT, and the improvement lasted for months without serious side effects.

• A 2017 report published in the European Urology journal studied 10 patients with radiation-induced cystitis who had severe bleeding in their bladder that didn’t respond to usual treatments. All patients had received high-dose radiation for bladder or prostate cancer. They were treated with 20 sessions of breathing pure oxygen in a special chamber. Six patients had bleeding completely stop, and the others saw some improvement.

• A 2019 study published in the Lancet Oncology found that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help reduce symptoms of late radiation cystitis in patients who have undergone pelvic radiotherapy for cancer. Patients who received hyperbaric oxygen therapy reported fewer urinary symptoms compared to those who received standard care. The therapy was generally safe and well-tolerated, with some patients experiencing minor side effects related to sight and hearing.

Pros and Cons

Let’s go through the pros and cons of using hyperbaric oxygen therapy for radiation cystitis.

Pros

Here’s why HBOT can be a good idea for treating radiation cystitis:

• It really works to make you feel better: Research shows that if you start HBOT early, there’s a 96% chance it’ll make your symptoms a lot better. This makes it a super effective way to deal with the painful stuff that comes with radiation cystitis.
• Helps your body fix itself: HBOT helps your body make new blood vessels in areas that are swollen, which is key to healing. This ability to help fix damaged tissue can stop radiation cystitis from getting worse and make your life better.
• You don’t have to go through surgery: HBOT is a way to get relief without having to have surgery or take drugs that might’ve side effects you don’t want. It’s a safer and more comfy choice for a lot of people.
• Multiple Benefits: HBOT is scientifically proven to offer multiple health benefits – other than radiation cystitis – like longevity, anti-aging, dementia, Parkinson’s, cancer etc,
• Can be used at Home: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can be used at home as well. You just have to purchase a Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy chamber for home usage. Prices start from $8K, but, you’ll avoid the hassle of going back and forth to the medical center. You’ll also make back you money in one to two months, considering that each session in a clinic can cost up to $250.

Cons

While Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) can be pretty good for dealing with radiation cystitis, there are a few downsides to think about before you jump in.

• Cost: The cost of getting HBOT is one big problem. It’s not just that each session costs a lot, but also if you’re thinking about getting your own HBOT setup at home, that’s going to set you back quite a bit. You can buy second-hand HBOT chambers for home use which are significantly cheaper.
• Health Insurance Coverage: Not every health insurance plan is going to cover HBOT for radiation cystitis. If your insurance says this treatment isn’t necessary or it’s too new and untested, you might’ve to pay out of pocket.
• Hard to Find HBOT clinics: Finding a place that does HBOT mightn’t be easy. They’re not everywhere, so you might end up having to travel far to get your treatment, which is both a hassle and more expensive.
• Potential Side-Effects: If you have certain health issues, doctors might say HBOT isn’t safe for you. HBOT has some minor side-effects (not for everyone) but if you have a medical condition, it might not be an option for you. Make sure to consult your doctor about this.

What is Radiation Cystitis?

Radiation cystitis is a problem you might get after radiation therapy around your bladder area, like when you’re treated for bladder cancer, prostate cancer or cancers close to it.

This can mess with how you feel day-to-day, making you need to pee more often or even causing pain and blood when you pee.

It happens because the radiation that’s meant to kill cancer cells also hurts the inside of your bladder, leading to these pee problems.

How bad your symptoms are mainly depends on how much radiation your bladder got. For most folks, it might just mean more trips to the bathroom, but for a small group – less than 5% of people getting pelvic radiation – the symptoms can be really tough, messing with how you live your life.

What are the usual treatments for Radiation Cystitis other than HBOT?

There are several treatment options for Radiation Cystitis other than Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). These include:

1. Intravesical Instillations: This involves inserting certain medications into the bladder through a catheter. [1]
2. Ablative Procedures: These are surgical procedures that remove or destroy tissue. [2]
3. Systemic Therapies: These are treatments that reach and affect cells throughout the body. [2]
4. Arterial Embolization: This is a procedure that blocks or slows down the blood flow to tissues or an organ. [2] [3]
5. Urinary Diversion: This is a surgical procedure that changes the normal flow of urine out of the body. [2]
6. Antioxidant Therapies: These are treatments that use substances that can prevent or slow damage to cells caused by free radicals. [1]

What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, or HBOT, is a type of treatment that helps your body heal damaged tissues by breathing in pure oxygen in a space where the air pressure is higher than what we’re used to. This special setup lets your body get more oxygen, which helps with healing.

HBOT is great because it helps get blood flowing again to areas that mightn’t be getting enough, which is super important for fixing tissue damage, especially after radiation treatments.

Usually, you’re looking at going in for 30-40 minute sessions, doing this over 6-8 weeks. It’s not just about the oxygen; it’s about creating the right conditions for your body to start fixing itself.

Also, HBOT is good for making new blood vessels grow. This is really helpful for folks dealing with radiation cystitis, which is when the bladder gets damaged and can make you feel really uncomfortable.

By helping grow new blood vessels and fixing tissues, this therapy offers a way to get some relief without having to go through surgery or anything like that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bottom Line

Given these points, it’s obvious that HBOT is a good choice for people dealing with radiation cystitis. It offers more than just a break from the symptoms; it could actually help you feel a lot better.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy works by helping fix damaged tissue and helping grow new blood vessels, addressing the core issue of radiation cystitis. This approach isn’t just about dealing with symptoms; it’s about helping your body heal itself.

If you’re dealing with tough side effects from radiation therapy, like constant pain or having to go to the bathroom a lot, HBOT might really help.

Research shows it has a good chance of making symptoms better, especially if you start early. This isn’t about quick fixes; it’s about finding a solution that makes your bladder work better and improves how you feel overall.

If you want to learn more about HBOT, we have a dedicated library for it. Feel free to check these articles as well

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