Off-Label HBOT: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

We remain giddy about the identification of XMRV as the possible viral culprit behind chronic fatigue syndrome. What an exciting new era in CFS research. What high new hopes for all who have suffered both the pain and the disrespect too often associated with this all too real and prevalent disorder. But after a month scouring the medical literature, and hazarding a few hopeful posts, we've found scant evidence to support the use of hyperbaric oxygen to treat CFS. Slight relief from general fatigue and some potentially relevant data on HIV-related fatigue will keep us digging.

Jump to our new chronic fatigue syndrome page to learn more and to use our HyperbaricLink Evidence Index to guide your personal research.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Let's Call This...

This may be premature, considering the freshness of the new evidence, but we've decided to start calling chronic fatigue syndrome XMRV/CFS. We figure XMRV is to chronic fatigue syndrome as HIV is to acquired immune deficiency syndrome. With this name change we wish for a sea change in the primary research and public health initiatives focusing squarely on the xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus itself. We mightn't have much good news to report on the efficacy of HBOT, but soon we'll post a new XMRV/CFS page on HyperbaricLink, as advertised.

Off-Label HBOT: Fibromyalgia

Blaming the patient is so much easier than working the problem. Especially in light of the recent announcement that a virus may cause chronic fatigue syndrome (the jury's still out), we should all of us refrain from calling anyone's pain and suffering imaginary. Soon science may discover what really afflicts people with fibromyalgia. Until then, hyperbaric oxygen therapy might just help relieve the pain and tenderness, if not the fatigue and sleeplessness. We're on the lookout for studies replicating the promising work out of Turkey.

Jump to our new fibromyalgia page to learn more and to use our HyperbaricLink Evidence Index to guide your personal research.

Any Role For HBOT In H1N1 Flu Prevention?

Last week, like millions of Americans, we received an email from Homeland Security (yikes!) explaining how we can help prevent an H1N1 flu pandemic this autumn. The more we look the more we're convinced HBOT has little if any role in this fight. Try washing your hands instead. Then cross your clean fingers for speedy delivery of an effective vaccine. Or, if you think we've missed important new evidence, post a comment, then wash your hands again.