Ozone Therapy

Ozone therapy and benefits:

Ozone is a high-energy form of oxygen (O3) created by adding one more oxygen molecule to the two-atom oxygen (O2) found in the atmosphere. Unlike colourless and odourless oxygen, ozone has a characteristic smell.

Ozone gas was first discovered in 1840 by German chemist Christian Frederick Schönbein. In 1860, ozone gas was used for disinfection purposes in the water treatment facility in the city of Monaco. During World War I, it was used in the treatment of gas gangrene, infections, burns, and fistulas in German soldiers after injuries. Between 1880 and 1932, the use of ozone gas was employed as an alternative medicine in America. Despite being discovered and used for the first time in 1840, the first scientific study related to the medical use of ozone gas was conducted in 1932 by Dr. Erwin Pyre. Dr. Erwin Pyre used ozone in surgical patients and presented the results of his study at the 59th meeting of the German Surgeons’ Association. This work by Dr. Erwin Pyre marked the beginning of what is known today as ozone therapy. Today, it is one of the treatment methods recognized for its validity by physicians in many countries.

Ozone gas in its O3 form breaks down in 30 minutes at room temperature and rapidly converts to oxygen (O2) and oxygen radicals (O-) in biological environments, creating controlled oxidative stress in the body.

The oxygen that arises binds to haemoglobin in the blood, which carries oxygen to tissues. The lone oxygen molecule is undesirable for the body and causes oxidative stress. This oxidative stress is perceived by the body as a danger and threat. In response, the release of cytokines that influence the body’s antioxidant defence systems increases. When ozone comes into contact with plasma, especially the enzyme called hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is activated, and ozone exerts its primary effect through hydrogen peroxide. The increase in hydrogen peroxide also activates other antioxidant systems in the body.

To achieve this unwanted oxidative state and not harm the body, the ozone must be administered in therapeutic doses.

Analgesic effect:

The arachidonic acid formed through chain reactions stimulates the synthesis of an enzyme called prostaglandin, resulting in anti-inflammatory effects such as increased blood flow, increased oxygenation of tissues, reduced impact on pain receptors, and muscle relaxation, providing analgesic (pain-relieving) effects.

Immunostimulant effect:

The exposure of immune system cells (interferon, TNF-alpha, IL-2, cytokines, and lymphokines) to ozone and the lone oxygen, as well as the increase in hydrogen peroxide, leads to an increase in the stimulation of immune system cells. As a result, the immune system is activated.

Effect on blood circulation:

These enzymatic reactions cause the release of a molecule called nitric oxide (NO) from the vessel wall. Nitric oxide causes vasodilation, leading to increased blood flow, more elastic and flexible blood vessels, prevention of plaque formation in vessels, thereby preventing the narrowing of blood vessels known as atherosclerosis, and increased production of platelets responsible for clotting. Growth factors present in platelets help in the healing of circulation disorders or ulcerated tissues.

Effect on energy metabolism:

These enzymatic reactions increase the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), which protects erythrocytes (red blood cells), increases aerobic glycolysis, and increases the uptake of glucose into cells, resulting in decreased blood sugar levels. This also causes a significant increase in the enzyme 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG), allowing hemoglobin to release oxygen to tissues, thus increasing tissue oxygenation. Additionally, antioxidant systems interact directly with lipids in the bloodstream, breaking down fatty acids and positively affecting the blood lipid profile.

Antimicrobial effect:

Due to its strong oxidative properties, ozone has lethal effects on all bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Due to the body’s strong antioxidant effects and the therapeutic doses of ozone administered, this oxidative state does not harm human cells.

Effect on well-being:

Although the brain constitutes only 3% of the body’s weight, it consumes one-fourth of the oxygen entering the body. Therefore, increased tissue oxygenation due to ozone positively affects the brain.

Increased metabolism leads to increased release of endorphin and melatonin hormones, enhancing neural communication intensity and quality. The increase in endorphin and melatonin hormones makes a person more energetic and lessens complaints such as fatigue, lack of desire, insomnia, low energy, concentration difficulty, chronic fatigue, widespread muscle pain, depression, and anxiety, making the person feel better.

Detox effect:

The effect of ozone activates the microsomal system in liver cells, reducing phenols, pesticides, drug residues, toxic acidic substances, and other free radicals in the body, thus creating a detox effect.

Effect on skin diseases:

Due to its strong oxidative properties, ozone has lethal effects on all bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites, making it an effective treatment method for bacterial, fungal, and viral infections in the skin and mucous membranes.

Pressure sores (decubitus ulcers) caused by long periods of bed rest due to illness, severe leg ulcers (ulcus cruris), non-healing wounds in diabetic patients, and post-surgical wounds that heal slowly are some of the main application areas for ozone therapy.

In skin diseases, in addition to administering ozone through the blood, ozonated oils, bagging, or ozone sauna methods can be used to deliver ozone gas regionally to the affected skin areas.

Ozone gas can be administered for treatment purposes in different ways. The decision on which application is preferred and healthier for a specific disease is a joint decision between the patient and the physician.

Major autohemotherapy:

This involves taking blood from the patient, ozonating it, and then re-infusing it into the patient intravenously. About 50-100 ml (about one cup) of blood is drawn from the patient in a sterile manner using special vacuum bottles. Ozone gas, prepared in the appropriate dose by the ozone generator, is added to the vacuum bottle containing the patient’s blood. After mixing ozone and blood, it is slowly re-infused back into the patient through the same vein. This method of ozone application takes approximately 15-20 minutes.

Minor autohemotherapy:

This involves taking 2-10 ml of blood from the patient, ozonating it, and then injecting it intramuscularly into the patient. As in major autohemotherapy, blood is drawn from a vein, but only 2-3 ml. The blood is mixed with ozone gas and injected intramuscularly.

Injection method:

This involves injecting 3-6 ml of ozone prepared in the appropriate dose by the ozone device subcutaneously, into the rectum, vagina, or joint space.

Bagging method:

Ozone gas is applied to the skin using a single-use bag. For example, in arm and leg wounds, the affected area is placed in a single-use bag without air leakage. Through a special system, ozone gas is delivered into the bag, ozonating the injured area.

Ozonated oil application:

This involves infusing ozone into olive oil. Ozone is added to olive oil at specific intervals, allowing the olive oil to take on the consistency of ozone. Ozonated oil is especially used in skin diseases.

Ozone sauna – transdermal ozone application method:

This involves applying ozone gas through the skin to the individual in a specially designed steam chamber, providing the benefits of both a sauna and ozone therapy. With the heat opening the pores, ozone delivered into the chamber is absorbed through the skin, affecting the blood, lymphatic, and adipose tissues. Infrared (IR) ozone saunas differ from traditional saunas in that they directly focus on the body, increasing body temperature. As a result, they create seven times more perspiration than traditional saunas, affecting the skin up to 4-6 layers deep.

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