According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, autoimmune diseases currently affect around 1 in 10 people globally with 13% of women and 7% of men being affected. There are more than 80 autoimmune diseases which include well known conditions such as Type 1 diabetes (the cells that produce insulin are attacked), Multiple Sclerosis (protective covering of nerves are attacked), lupus (tissues and organs are attacked) and rheumatoid arthritis (lining of joints are attacked) while other lesser-known versions have also emerged. In some cases, a person with one autoimmune disease is more likely to develop a second, indicating that some autoimmune diseases share common risk factors, such as genetic predispositions or environmental triggers.

Typically, a healthy immune system defends the body against foreign invaders such as diseases and infection. Autoimmune diseases occur when the normal role of the immune system is disturbed, resulting in mistakenly attacking normal healthy cells in the body. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and diminishes the overall healthy functioning of a person’s own body.

Most of these autoimmune conditions have no cure and many require lifelong treatments to manage and treat symptoms. Hyperbaric therapy is a non-invasive option that may reduce overall inflammation and pain, increase quality of life, and provide synergistic effects to other treatment modalities.