What is ozone therapy?
Ozone (O3) is an unstable molecule consisting of three oxygen atoms in the stratosphere layer of the atmosphere, which has a vital role in blocking ultraviolet B and C rays from the sun. Ozone is in constant change in this layer. Its volume varies according to the situation. Even a 1% decrease causes a 10% increase in skin cancers. Living things live in the troposphere layer, 10% of ozone is found in this layer. The air we breathe contains nitrogen (78%) oxygen (20.9%) carbon dioxide (0.034%) argon (0.9%) gases necessary for living things. Since ozone in the troposphere is at a higher level, it is not present in the breathing air.
Ozone was discovered in 1840 by Austrian chemist Christian Schönbein. Ozone, an unstable molecule, is gaseous at room temperature, colorless and has a unique odor. Since it can easily transform into stable molecules by reactions, it is called active SUPEROXYGEN, and its use for medical purposes is also due to this feature. 3-molecule ozone is converted into 2-molecule oxygen and single molecule ozonoid (OR) which is open to reaction.
Medical ozone gas contains 5% ozone gas and the remaining 95% is oxygen. One of the most ideal solvents for ozone is oxygen. When we give ozone gas to the body, the monatomic O radical is formed and stimulates the systems, so we use ozone gas instead of pure oxygen. Ozone is known as active oxygen or superoxygen in medicine because it has a very high oxidation (burning) power. Ozone gas is obtained by breaking down oxygen in devices called ozone generators. Normal air cannot be used to produce ozone gas because this would produce N2O2 (nitrogen dioxide). In fact, ozone gas is produced by processing at concentrations of 0.05 -100 µg / ml using oxygen cylinders and doses are determined according to the application area. The half-life of ozone at room temperature is 40 minutes. Ozone should be applied immediately after production.
There are ozone therapy clinics in many countries such as Germany, England, USA, Japan, Malaysia, Brazil and there are also private hospitals that only perform ozone therapy. There is also an ozone therapy chair at the University of Siena in Italy.
The events in our body on the basis of diseases start with the domino stone effect. With insufficient oxygenation of tissues and organs, the inflammatory process begins. With the onset of this process, inflammatory reactions and ultimately acidosis develop in the organs. When we look at some diseases in the light of this information; the main problem in the arthritis picture is the formation of edema, swelling and redness due to inflammation in the damaged area. In autoimmune diseases, the etiologic event is the clinical conditions caused by autoantibodies against the body’s own structures.
In modern medicine, two treatment methods have been determined according to the clinical situation. They are the blockade approach and the substitution approach. For example, in hypothyroidism caused by Graves’ disease, replacement therapy is applied. In almost all rheumatic diseases (Arthritis, RA, SLE, A.Spondylitis etc.), blockade (suppression) method is used using different mechanisms. Therefore, it is basically impossible to solve these diseases (NSAIDs and corticosteroids used in classical treatment are drug groups with very high side effects).
This is the main mechanism that distinguishes integrative (holistic) treatment methods from conventional treatment approaches. As in all of these methods, the mechanism of action in ozone therapy is not blockage or replacement therapy, but a reminder of the original functions of organs and tissues. Giving fish every day, so to speak, does not solve the problem. Since the body knows how to fish, it needs to be reminded again.
Circulatory disturbance due to various causes rapidly impairs oxygenation. If circulation is not regulated and oxygenation is not ensured, acidosis and consequent inability to suppress inflammation and widespread pain are inevitable. The main effect of ozone therapy is to provide effective oxygenation by regulating circulation.
With ozone therapy, we create an oxidative stress in the body. By provoking the immune system with the resulting free radicals, we help repair and repair the disease. As a result, we increase the antioxidant capacity of the person with this activation application. One of the most powerful effects of ozone in the body is on antioxidant capacity.
Antioxidant enzyme levels increase approximately 45 days after starting ozone therapy. The reactions of ozone therapy are summarized as follows.
Effects of Ozone
Increases oxygenation of tissues and cells.
Increases the elasticity of red blood cells (red, oxygen-carrying cells in the blood), increases the passage through capillaries and eliminates oxygen deficiency in tissues.
Boosts the immune system and increases the resistance of the person against infections.
Acts against bacteria, viruses and fungi with its antimicrobial and disinfectant properties.
Reduces the consistency / darkness of the blood and increases its fluidity.
Helps to soften the plaques on the vessel wall and dissolve the plugs in the capillaries. In this way, blood circulation is regulated. It also helps in balancing blood pressure with its effect on the vascular wall.
Slows the proliferation and spread of fast-growing cancer cells. It slows the growth of cancer by breaking down tumor cell membranes and strengthening the immune system. Strengthens the effectiveness and minimizes the side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy used in classical cancer treatments by providing oxygen and metabolic balance in tissues.
Increases intracellular respiration and increases the required energy ATP. Provides the formation of a more energetic and functional body.
Activates liver cells.
Increases kidney filtration function.
Increases the detoxifying effect of the skin (the ability to expel toxic substances), helps to clean the chemical substances in our body.
Provides the release of natural painkillers (endorphins etc.) in the body.
It is used in the treatment of diseases such as allergies and asthma with its immunomodulatory effect.
How is ozone therapy applied?
Application methods can be divided into three as general (systemic) applications, local applications and combined applications. Intravenous, intraarterial, lymphotropic, rectal, sauna, MAH-EBOO and SF (in saline) methods are systemic application methods; dermal, intralesional, intracavitary, intraoperative, dental methods are local applications.
Ozone therapy can also be used in combination with other treatment methods. These methods are PRP-CGF, Prolozon, Colon hydrotherapy, Acupuncture, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Phytotherapy. Our clinical experience has shown us that the areas where ozone therapy is successful in some diseases in single applications may be limited, and that the combined use of treatment methods that we believe to be successful in treatment and proven by studies is always more beneficial. For this reason, it will be more appropriate for us to benefit from clinics where integrative methods are used together.
Ozone Therapy Application Methods
Major Autohemotherapy (Blood Washing)
Generally, 100 ml of blood is taken from the patient. After mixing with ozone gas adjusted at the dose deemed appropriate by the physician for about 3 minutes, this ozonized blood is given back to the person intravenously.
Serum Ozonation (sf)
Ozone gas is given into a certain volume of saline at a dose deemed appropriate by the physician in a certain period of time, while at the same time it is given to the patient via intravenous (active ozonation).
Minor Autohemotherapy (Intramuscular)
It is the injection of 2-5 ml of blood taken from the person into the muscle by mixing it with the appropriate dose of ozone.
Subcutaneous (Subcutan)
Ozone gas in the specified dose and volume is injected under the skin with fine-tipped needles.
Application to Body Cavities
It is the administration of ozone gas by spraying into the rectum, vagina and ear canal.
Inhalation (Inhalation) Method
Inhalation of ozol gas obtained from ozone gas passed through olive oil. Normally, if ozone gas is inhaled, it has a caustic effect. When ozol gas is inhaled, it has been determined that it is 10 times more effective in terms of treatment, as there is no burning effect.
Application in and around the joint
It is the injection of ozone gas into the joint around the joint with appropriate indication and appropriate dose by the physician.
Bagging Method
The body limb (such as hand, foot, leg, arm) where the disease is located is taken into the bag and applied by giving a certain dose of ozone gas.
Ozone Sauna
It is based on the principle of impregnating ozone gas through the skin after moisturizing the skin by increasing heat or steam over the entire skin. The person is made to sweat by sitting or lying down in the cabins called ozone sauna so that the head stays outside. After the pores are opened, the body is ozonized by giving ozone gas for an average of 20-30 minutes. It is a completely painless and painless procedure and the patient should not be too full and consume plenty of fluids during the procedure. It is equivalent to systemic application.
Application in and around the mass
It is local ozone application into masses such as tumors and sebaceous glands.
Topical Autohemotherapy
It is the application of the person’s own blood ozonized and applied on the wound as a patch.
PRP and Ozone therapy
We call PRP when the person’s own blood is treated in a centrifuge to produce platelet-rich serum. After ozonizing this serum, we inject it into the skin, intra-articular or diseased area and provide cell repair and regeneration.
Ozonation of Oil and Water
Ozonized preferably olive oil can be applied to the skin. Again, ozonized water subjected to ozone for a certain period of time can be drunk orally to certain patients.
Hair Ozonation
It is the application of ozone gas under the skin to the hairy area of the head. It is effective in hair diseases and hair loss.
Toothpaste Ozonation
If the teeth are brushed by applying ozone oil on toothpaste, it will be useful in patients such as gingivitis, aphthae, herpes.
In which diseases can ozone therapy be used?
It can be used in many fields and diseases such as wounds and burns, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, bone joint, muscle, nerve, rheumatological diseases, neurological, cardiological diseases, digestive system diseases, digestive and excretory system diseases, pain treatment, immune system diseases, respiratory system diseases, chronic fatigue problems, detox and antiaging treatment.
What is the treatment dose in ozone applications?
In ozone applications, dose adjustment is made according to the relevant disease and the antioxidant capacity of the person in the form of low dose (activating-stimulating effect), medium dose (modulating-restoring-regulating effect) and high dose (suppressing-suppressing effect). Acute effects occur within minutes and hours, while late effects occur after at least 3 months.
There are two important problems in ozone applications. These are inadequate dose treatment and lack of knowledge in personalized dose adjustment for the disease. Antioxidant capacity in general healthy people is between 40-60 gamma. Patients generally have antioxidant capacities below 40 gamma. The general goal is to increase the antioxidant capacity of patients to 40 gamma, but the approach is different in some chronic prolonged patients. Ozone therapy is no different from the drug dose relationship. The important thing is to start the application after determining the personalized dose and method by specialists. Otherwise, the trust of the society in the applications will be shaken. Ozone therapy has side effects when applied in very high doses. In this context, the most important side effect may be hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells), and if 100-200 gamma doses are applied, the risk of hemolysis is 4-12 per thousand. Since maximum doses of 50-60 gamma doses are used in treatment, we do not encounter this side effect in practice. The distance between the treatment dose and the toxic dose is large. Therefore, there is no need to fear this side effect. The principle of treatment is to start with a low dose and gradually increase it, and it is important for the efficacy and safety of the treatment to achieve stabilization by minimizing the number of applications and fluctuations. The aim is to find the stimulating dose in each patient and to achieve stabilization with the same number of applications.
When should ozone not be used?
It is not used in severely debilitated chronic patients with very low antioxidant capacity, acute bleeding diseases (acute MI, SVO), patients with G6PD enzyme deficiency, first trimester pregnant women, patients taking anticoagulants and ACE inhibitors, hyperthyroidism, thrombocytopenia and severe bleeding, transplant patients.
What are the side effects of ozone therapy?
Although there are no very serious side effects; it should not be applied in the first 3 months of pregnancy, in red blood cell enzyme (gl-6-f-dihydrogenase) deficiency (favism – fava bean allergy), excessive alcohol users, hypertrophy (overactive thyroid), severe anemia and bleeding coagulation problems, new heart attack and cerebral hemorrhage, organ transplantation and immune system weakening drugs, advanced tumor patients, unconscious people. The effect of ozone on the body depends on its intensity and dose. The physician determines the treatment protocol to be applied according to the patient’s condition and type of disease. Ozone therapy is a proven treatment method with thousands of studies on the science of ozone therapy. It is a reliable, natural treatment and if applied correctly, the possibility of side effects is very low.