Each of the term “ozone” is known, mostly in connection with the ozone layer, a region of the earth’s atmosphere to protect us from ultra-violet irradiation. Ozone is also used otherwise, as a therapeutic agent in the ozone therapy. It is an alternative therapy procedure which is mainly used in natural healing practices applied.

Table of contents

Ozone: Definition

Ozone is a colorless Gas consisting of a high-energy Form of oxygen (O2), namely, made up of three oxygen atoms (O3). In nature, ozone is a protective barrier in the earth’s atmosphere. The ozone molecules also have a disinfecting effect and therefore be used for the disinfection of swimming pools and for drinking water treatment.

For the ozone therapy, medical ozone is used, which is manufactured from pure oxygen. This effect is bactericidal, virucidal, fungicidal, anti-inflammatory and immune stimulating. Especially in the case of poorly healing wounds, such as, for example, a smoker’s leg (open leg, leg ulcer), the effect of ozone. Furthermore, this improves tissue supply with oxygen and the flow properties of blood.

Basics and technical development

In 1840, German physicist Christian Friedrich Schönbein (1799 &#8211 discovered; 1868) a Gas that he called because of its strong smell of ozone (from the Greek. ozein = to smell). He has studied the properties and methods of verification of ozone. In 1857, Siemens was invented-tube, with the industrial production of ozone.

Due to the realization that ozone is effective in aqueous Milieu, a strong oxidising agent, were made the first Attempts to disinfect drinking water. In medicine, ozone therapy was initially only in the Form of external application for the treatment of open wounds and soft-tissue infections are common. About 100 years after the invention of the “ozone tube” developed by the physicist Dr. Joachim Hänsler, a device with which it was possible, from medical grade oxygen, an exactly defined amount of ozone, called the ozone generator. Medical ozone may be produced from pure medical oxygen.

Main areas of application

The ozone therapy is mainly used in

• arterial circulatory disorders,
• Diseases of the rheumatic type,
• Pain,
• Exhaustion,
• Immunodeficiency (immune system),
• Cancers (as adjunctive therapy),
• Skin problems,
• inflammatory bowel disease,
• Eye diseases
• and in sports medicine.

The gynecology benefits from the ozone therapy, for example, in the treatment of papilloma virus or genital Herpes.

Application forms

An ozone therapy can be performed in various ways. The application forms depend, above all, according to the disease present. Thus, direct injections with a small amount of medical-grade ozone, for example,

• subcutaneously (under the skin),
• intravenously (in the vein)
• or even intramuscularly (in the muscle).

After the injection, the body is a little bit of massaging, so you can distribute the ozone.

A further form of Application of the “minor autohemotherapy”. In this case one to five milliliters to be taken from the vein, with an ozone-oxygen mixture and injected intramuscularly or subcutaneously re-injected. This kind of is especially

• Asthma,
• Pain
• and allergies applied.

In the case of the “large self-blood therapy” of 50 to 100 ml, taken from the arm vein, with ozone-oxygen mixture enriched, and then by Infusion, the patient returned. The “large self-blood therapy” in their areas of use

• Circulatory disorders,
• Loss of hearing,
• Rheumatism,
• Diabetes mellitus
• and in the case of metabolic disorders.

The ozone therapy can also be used externally, for example, in the case of wound healing disturbances, and eczema. The drug of choice for the bag fumigation is here. The affected area is covered with an air-tight plastic bag and then ozone into the bag blown.

In the case of the rectal ozone application, the patient is a syringe, using an enema or with a specifically designed for this application manufactured a transfer bag, the ozone-oxygen mixture within one to three minutes in the rectum introduced. This treatment method is mainly used for inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis).

In the case of inflammatory joint diseases, such as Arthritis, ozone intra-articularly administered (into the joint). In the field of gynecology, the administration of ozone vaginal is possible.

Some Application Examples

In the following lines, some well-known examples of application of ozone therapy are presented. These are

• Diseases of the musculoskeletal system,
• Herpes simplex and Herpes zoster,
• Blood circulation disorders, arterial type,
• Regeneration and vitalization
• and the age.

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system, in the technical language of diseases of the rheumatic form circle, are among the many indications for ozone therapy. Here, this is not as the sole form of treatment, but in addition to other therapies, such as, for example,

• Acupuncture,
• Injections,
• and painkillers

applied to inhibit the inflammation and modulate the immune system. Experience has shown that the thrust will be chosen-free phases.

Smaller quantities of Ozone to be injected at the muscle points of tension in the so-called trigger. Often this is a measure of acupuncture or neural therapy is accompanied. A special Form of the Introduction of the ozone-oxygen mixture in framework of disc herniations in the intervertebral disc. This is done in a sterile environment, under the control by means of computer tomography. As a result, the inflammation is reduced micro-circulation and oxygen supply are improved.

Herpes simplex, Herpes zoster,

Both diseases, Herpes simplex as well as Herpes zoster are viral diseases. Here is a ozone therapy can affect, in addition to other methods, the treatment is favorable. The autologous blood treatment, the defense is stimulated. In Herpes zoster, shingles, additionally, depending on the displacement of the place of execution, the Laying on of ozone water compresses is helpful.

Blood circulation disorders, arterial type

As already mentioned, arterial circulatory disorders to the main area of application of ozone therapy. Cold feelings in the legs, pain after short Walks, as you are as discomfort in the case of the so-called window-this disease is known to be treated for many years with ozone. Here, too, the ozone therapy is accompanied with other forms of treatment, such as acupuncture.
Important: often in the Presence of an arterial circulatory disorder, a blood thinner used. This is the case, is a ozone therapy is contraindicated.

The flow of blood to the eyes can also benefit from ozone therapy. Degenerative age-related changes in the eye, called macular degeneration, affect the eyesight. In the University hospital of Siena, conducted a study. Ozone own-blood-treatment brought, therefore, improvements that lasted about six to eight months.

Regeneration, Vitalisation

Stress, excessive mental and/or physical stress – all of which can charge people massively. You are not more powerful, suffering from exhaustion and listlessness. With the ozone therapy, the pulp is enabled exchange of erythrocytes (red blood cells) and leukocytes (white blood cells). This causes an improvement of the General condition and leads, if applied regularly, a Regeneration and revitalization of the patients. High-level athletes benefit from it.

In The Age

Improving the supply of oxygen, the above-described activation of the cell metabolism and the mobilization of the immune system have a positive effect on the age. The blood circulation in the brain can improve, and also the easier to Go. Older patients benefit from ozone therapy.

In the complementary treatment of cancer, the immune-modulating is used, the end effect of the ozone therapy. In this case, the ozone is used in low-dose amounts. The immune cells are stimulated by the administered ozone and the responses with the distribution of messenger substances. Also, the ozone therapy activates the body’s own radical scavengers and antioxidants. This is very important to prevent cell damage.

Contraindications

So, as with many other therapies, some contraindications exist also in the case of ozone therapy, namely:

• Taking blood-thinning medications,
• acute myocardial infarction,
• fresh stroke,
• Favism (hereditary blood disorder),
• Overactive Thyroid (Hyperthyroidism),
• Epilepsy,
• Hypersensitivity to ozone,
• Bleeding,
• Alcohol intoxication
• and Sepsis (blood poisoning).

Pregnant women, children under 14 years of age and lactating should be excluded from treatment, since there is not enough experience.

Side effects

Possible side effects that can take place under an ozone treatment, a hematoma (bruise) or pain at the injection site in the case of injections.
The ozone own-blood-treatment can

• Fatigue,
• Headache,
• Dizziness
• and Nausea.

When rectally administered ozone, intestinal cramps are possible. In any case, Attending performing ozone therapy should be, with emergency measures, because in very rare cases, cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat ), or a circulatory collapse are possible.
Important: ozone should never be inhaled, the respiratory tract is very sensitive react to it.

Final word

Ozone is a Gas that requires professional handling. Ozone therapy should only be carried out by experienced professionals, who have in-depth training,. Anyone interested in this therapy, should be informed in advance and in accordance with the appropriate therapists, or therapists to inquire. (sw)