Category: Diabetes

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Being mindful of symptoms

LEWISTOWN–Dr. Maya Lichtenstein, neurologist at Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital, said that there are a myriad of potential symptoms that could be signs of a stroke. “Any sudden changes,” said Lichtenstein, “go the E.R.”

A stroke, according to Liechtenstein, is either the result of not enough blood flow to the brain, plaque in the blood vessels or heart, each resulting in a clot, or a hemorragic bleed, resulting in a bursted blood vessel in the brain. Classic symptoms of a stroke include numbness, tingling, weakness on one side of the body and changes in speech, but other sudden changes in in understanding language, vision, vertigo or clumsiness can also be symptomatic.

“It depends on what part of the brain is damaged,” said Lichtenstein.

Treatment options for a stroke vary, depending on the type of stroke.

“If you get seen fast enough,” said Lichtenstein, for a clot, a “clot-busting medication, a form of blood thinner” can be administered via I.V. A thrombectomy, a procedure, not an operation, said Lichtenstein, is another treatment option, similar to a cardiac catheterization. A bleeding stroke often leads to lowering the patient’s blood pressure and surgically relieving pressure on the brain. Taking aspirin can also treat a stroke.

Post-stroke, Liechtenstein said that rehabilitation is important, including physical, occupational, speech, and cognitive therapies. “Aggressive therapy can continue to improve people’s symptoms,” said Lichtenstein. “Everyone thinks they’re better if they can move their arms and legs.” Lichtenstein also encourages stroke patients to be aware of their mood and possible depression, encouraging them to accept all the help available.

To avoid a stroke, Liechtenstein said patients should see their doctors regularly for preventive care and that leading a healthy lifestyle is the key, including regular exercise to keep up the heart rate and eating a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains. Lichtenstein also encourages patients to keep control of their vascular issues, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as to quit smoking, if they smoke.

 

Reference: http://www.lewistownsentinel.com/news/local-news/2018/05/being-mindful-of-symptoms/

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Diabetes – Understanding a Debilitating Disease and Its Complications

by Dr. James O.

Honors in Epidemiology, Ophthalmology Electives and Albert Einstein College of Medicine

A Sad Case Struggling with Diabetes – Most people remember the popular movie Animal House and would recognize the popular character Flounder, who was played by the actor Stephen Furst. A recent article in “PeopleCelebrity” (people.com) is useful, for it describes Furst’s lackadaisical attitude toward diabetes, which eventually killed him at the age of 63.

According to the article, both of Furst’s parents died from diabetes-related complications when he was only 16 years old. Several weeks later, Furst himself was diagnosed with diabetes, but he basically ignored his condition, stating: “I went into denial…I didn’t realize the long-term effects.”

Unfortunately, after many years spent battling obesity and diabetes, Furst died on June 16, 2017 from “complications of diabetes.”

What Is Diabetes Mellitus – Diabetes mellitus is a devastating chronic illness that can have horrific and debilitating consequences. This condition, if left untreated, can lead to amputations of multiple limbs, blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, strokes, hypertension, dental disease, poor wound healing, impotence, loss of sensation in limbs, and many other serious health conditions.

Definition – There are three general types of diabetes. Diabetes mellitus type one, which is also called juvenile diabetes, is usually diagnosed in childhood and accounts for approximately 5% of cases of diabetes. This type of diabetes is usually caused by the body’s inability to produce insulin. Diabetes mellitus type 2 is the most common type of diabetes; it involves an elevation of blood-glucose levels in adults.

This can be due either to the lack of production of the hormone insulin by the pancreas or to the development of a condition called insulin resistance, in which the body’s cells no longer react normally to insulin, thereby preventing insulin from transporting glucose from the blood into the cells. The third type of diabetes is gestational diabetes, which refers to the development of high blood-sugar levels during pregnancy.

Statistics – According to Healthline (healthline.com), 29.1 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with diabetes at a cost of 245 billion dollars per year in health expenses (in 2012), with an estimated 8.1 million more people unaware that they too have the condition. Furthermore, in the United States, approximately 1.4 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed every year. Worldwide, “[d]iabetes kills 1.5 million people every year” (healthline.com).

Risk Factors – Risk factors for diabetes mellitus include obesity, smoking, (advanced) age, sedentary lifestyle, positive family history, poor diet, elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, and hypertension. Also, African Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Americans and Hispanic Americans all have an increased risk of developing diabetes.

Warning Signs of Diabetes – Common symptoms of diabetes include severe thirst, frequent urination, dry mouth, intense hunger, blurred vision, poor healing of wounds, dry and itchy skin, and yeast infections.

Complications – One of the major complications of diabetes is damage to what is called the body’s “microcirculation.” This term refers to the circulation of blood in the smallest blood vessels, which are composed of terminal arterioles, capillaries, and venules.

The arterioles (tiny arteries) carry oxygenated blood to the capillaries, where oxygen is then transported to the tissues. The venules (tiny veins) carry deoxygenated blood and C02 from the capillaries to the larger veins.

It is critical for microcirculation to work optimally because its function is critical to the regulation of blood flow, tissue perfusion, normal blood pressure, and normal oxygen delivery and cellular-waste removal.

Studies have shown that early in the course of diabetes, changes begin to occur, namely damaging and thickening the “basement membranes” of microcirculation. This causes alterations in blood-flow properties, alterations in oxygen transport, and changes in homeostasis.

These changes in blood supply, tissue perfusion, and oxygen delivery eventually lead to a progressive loss of nerve-fiber function, causing neuropathy, chronic pain, and numbness.

The damage to microcirculation also causes peripheral vascular disease, which can lead to tissue necrosis, nonhealing ulcers, gangrene, and eventual limb amputation. It is estimated that 2 to 6% of patients with diabetes will develop a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) that eventually becomes infected. Infected DFUs, in turn, can lead to foot or leg amputation, with 50% of those with amputations dying within 5 years.

Diagnosis – Diabetes can be diagnosed using several common blood tests or urinalysis revealing elevated levels of glucose. A fasting blood sugar over 125 mg/dl (for reference, the normal value is less than 100 mg/dl) may indicate diabetes; a Hgb A1C blood test with a value over 5.7%, which measures average blood-sugar levels over a 3-month period, may also indicate diabetes. Another valuable diagnostic test is the glucose tolerance test used to measure blood-sugar levels 3 hours after oral administration of a sugary syrup.

Traditional Treatments – First-line traditional treatment of diabetes usually involves weight loss, a healthy diet low in carbohydrates and high in fruits and vegetables, and increased exercise for at least 20 minutes 3 times a week.
If diet and exercise are not sufficient to lower blood sugar to normal levels, then medication may be necessary. The first medication usually administered is metformin. Metformin, also known as Glucophage, is an oral medication usually taken twice per day; it works by decreasing the level of sugar produced by the liver and by increasing cells’ sensitivity to insulin. It also lowers the amount of glucose absorbed by the intestines.

Since metformin is metabolized by the liver, if someone has decreased liver function caused by liver disease, this may lead to a buildup of metformin, in turn inducing lactic acidosis, which can cause severe medical conditions and even death.

In the same way, since Metformin is excreted from the body by the kidneys, those with kidney disease and/or lowered kidney function are also at risk of lactic acidosis when taking metformin.

Other types of oral medications are also available to treat diabetes. If these medications fail, daily insulin administration can be given either through injections, inhalation, or an insulin pump.

Traditional treatments of diabetic vascular disease causing impaired circulation include revascularization surgery and angioplasties. Treatment of the tingling, numbness, and sharp pain from diabetic neuropathy include medications such as gabapentin (Neurontin), pregablin (Lyrica), and the antiseizure medicine Tegretol.

Alternative treatments for diabetic neuropathy include Chinese medicine, acupuncture, aromatherapy, massage therapy, reflexology, homeopathy, and biofeedback.

Another treatment that has shown great promise both for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy and diabetic microvascular disease is D’OXYVA. This is a noninvasive, nonopioid transdermal delivery system of medical carbon dioxide (C02) and water vapor that boosts microcirculation, balances the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, lowers blood pressure, decreases chronic pain, promotes healing of wounds and ulcers, and helps prevent amputations.

D’OXYVA improves blood circulation by means of a transdermal transfer of C02 using a transmission device placed over the thumb for a 5-minute period.
Numerous studies have shown “sustained, remote vasodilation and decreased systolic blood pressure” with the use of D’OXYVA. This is because bathing the tissues in C02 stimulates vasodilation in the periphery of the body, thereby improving circulation, blood flow, and oxygenation levels.

In one particular case, a male patient suffering severe diabetic neuropathy and intractable ulcers and open sores on his legs, along with hypertension and an inability to sleep due to severe pain, was placed on D’OXYVA via his thumb for 5 minutes twice a day for 6 weeks.

By the end of the 6-week period, the patient reported a significant decrease in pain; he reported being able to sleep through the night for the first time in years and reported that most of his leg wounds had healed. In addition, his blood pressure dropped from 188/130 to 135/95 within 30 minutes of each application.

Summary – Diabetes is an insidious chronic condition that devastates both patients and families. Increased awareness and preventive measures, such as controlling diet and increasing regular exercise, can encourage weight loss and hopefully prevent the development or worsening of diabetes and the need for oral medications or treatment with insulin. In addition, new advances in therapy such as D’OXYVA offer a noninvasive, transdermal, low-cost, and very effective alternative to help stop the intractable chronic pain of diabetic neuropathy and to help prevent limb amputations.

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Improved Microcirculation Against Diabetes, Stroke and Several Other Diseases

Exercise has been shown to protect against diabetes, stroke and several other diseases and to improve our moods.

But does it also make us more likely to engage in other activities? Do people who exercise tend to have better social lives or achieve more of their goals?

All clinical evidence so far validates that the science of exercise physiology best explains the outsized and unmatched vast health benefits of D’OXYVA® (deoxyhemoglobin vasodilator) and opens up entirely new ways of thinking about the treatment of the underlying causes of the most severe and widespread medical conditions.

Reference: https://www.wsj.com/articles/exercise-has-a-cascade-of-positive-effects-study-finds-1498442941

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D’OXYVA as endorsed by Dr. Stephen Pfeifer

I was introduced several years ago to the transdermal CO2 D’OXYVA® delivery system and had the chance to utilize this modality in my practice as well as see the benefits noted by other clinicians who have started implementing the protocols. I was initially skeptical that such an affordable and simple system could have such profound health benefits. But after witnessing improvements in blood pressure, chronic venous insufficiency, diabetic wound healing, mood, and athletic performance enhancement, I realized that this treatment has the potential to help millions of patients with chronic health conditions. So, like most scientists, I began to investigate the reasons why this technology could be so effective.

Could it be possible that one of the main causes of most of our patients’ health problems is rooted in physiologic imbalances in the autonomic nervous system and microcirculation? Have we clinicians been chasing imperfect treatment options with medications and interventions that may certainly ameliorate symptoms initially, but which fail to address critical root causes of physiologic dysfunction and dysregulation?


There is an increasing consensus that microcirculation is critical in many ways. Our vascular system works in such a way that the great arteries have little impact on blood pressure, but small ones control almost 70% of the blood-flow resistance. Each adult organ can have more that 2 miles of capillaries inside it. Each capillary bed is in charge of exchanging small molecules between organ cells and the blood to maintain a healthy cell microenvironment or a state of homeostasis. The vascular system reacts to the concentration of metabolism’s by-products by deciding where to allocate resources and remove waste. However, with time and the accumulation of microcirculation damage due to bad health care habits, poor diet, and sickness, our bodies lose their ability to maintain homeostasis, resulting in poor wound healing, pain, infections, and so on. In other words, the microcirculation system helps our bodies maintain uninterrupted blood flow where it is needed the most.


Another overlooked system is the autonomic nervous system. Many books have been written in the functional medicine arena regarding the concept of adrenal exhaustion, as holistic doctors are realizing that this fundamental imbalance contributes to so many health conditions today. Today, we are bombarded with bad news on TV, we have work and financial challenges, and we have constant interruptions from our cell phones and emails. This constant attack on our survival cortisol hormones can be overwhelming. In functional medicine, we can even document this phenomenon with salivary cortisol hormone levels measured 4­–6 times per day. Typically, we see three progressive levels at play. The adrenal system starts as stressed and wired, then progresses to stressed and tired, followed by burned out and exhausted. At each level, this autonomic imbalance takes its toll on our health. Mother nature provided us with a wonderful adaptive capability to mount a stress response when, in the caveman days, we were running from a pack of wolves. It diverts all energy away from the parasympathetic system (rest and digestion) to a sympathetic response (fright and flight) so we can respond physically, using muscle strength, increased heart rate, and increased cardiac output to respond to a physical challenge. After the challenge is gone, the body should return to homeostasis and a calming parasympathetic mode for rest and digestion. Well, that is just not happening in today’s world, as we are in constant overdrive trying to escape the pack of wolves. So, we primary care doctors are always recommending stress-reduction strategies like yoga, better sleep hygiene, blood sugar stabilization diet strategies, and vitamin supplements that support adrenal balance.


It is refreshing to see a new technologic advancement that can help the many health problems exacerbated by autonomic imbalances. A simple and safe 5-minute transdermal CO2 delivery device has been shown to work immediately, and there is scientific proof that the physiologic effects continue for many hours. Scientific evidence is available that transdermal CO2 delivered by the D’OXYVA® device works through several mechanisms:


Reduces inflammation by reducing free radical plasma levels


Raises antioxidant levels and induces vasodilation (microcirculation) through humoral pathway communication


Decreased R-R heart rate interval variation


Activation of the PNS parasympathetic system, causing a vasodilation response


D’OXYVA® is a class 1 low-risk medical device using the natural properties of CO2 (a FDA-cleared drug) to activate our body’s chemoreceptors and increase organ blood flow through microcirculation while promoting oxygen delivery in capillary beds and organ tissue.

My name is Dr. Steve Pfeifer, and I am a consultant for Circularity and a retired functional medicine doctor. I am proud to be part of the Circularity scientific team that is partnering with clinicians to continue independent research regarding these benefits. More than two dozen research projects have been performed to test D’OXYVA® ‘s potential and safety, and much more are ongoing throughout the world. In fact, at the D’OXYVA® University here in Indianapolis, our doctors are studying the athletic enhancement potential in elite Indy Car race drivers and general athletes to document objective benefits with recovery and pulse oximeter readings reflecting perfusion indexes.

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Peripheral Edema and D’OXYVA Transdermal Application as a Potential Treatment Option

Peripheral edema is the result/manifestation of many diseases, inflammation processes, and loss of body compensatory mechanism of chronic conditions, but the first pathophysiology disturbance is at the capillary level (microcirculation). D’OXYVA® transdermal CO2 application has demonstrated to be beneficial to improve blood flow by decreasing microcirculation blood resistance and improving venous insufficiency. CO2 is one of the few local humoral mediators with the potential to modulate blood flow in capillary beds. CO2 enhances the following capillary bed functions:

– Arteriole elastic retractions and vasomotion that allows constant blood flow through the capillary bed.

– Reconstruct the role of adjacent closed capillaries.

– Promote vasodilation of the arterio-venous anastomosis without increased venous return.

Also, CO2 is a natural anti-inflammatory agent that helps one’s circulatory system to perform better. CO2  especially helps one’s circulatory system by increasing venous blood return to the heart and systolic output by passive peripheral vasodilation, without increasing mean arterial blood pressure.
It is important that any patient who has edema needs to be followed/supervised by a physician because there is the need to assess critical organ functions and etiology of the disease, like BP, venous obstruction, low plasma protein concentration, or lymphatic obstruction among others.

References:
Cellulite and carbon dioxide bath. (2009, May 9).

Dogaru gabriela, r. A. (2015). Therapeutic effects of carbonated mineral waters in cardiovascular rehabilitation . Balneo research journal, 36-39.

Maria vitória carmo penhaveli, v. H. (2013). Effects of carbon dioxide therapy on the healing of acute skin wounds induced on the back of rats1. Acta cirúrgica brasileira , 334-339.

Nouvong, j. S. (n.d.). Assessment of microcirculation and the prediction of healing in diabetic foot ulcers. Western University of Health Sciences, College of Podiatric Medicine United States of America:

www.intechopen.com.

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An interview with key opinion leader Dr. Ito Puruhito

D’OXYVA® technology is a fast, reliable and effective approach for boosting circulation and promoting wellness for patients with diabetes and varicose veins. An interview with key opinion leader Dr. Ito Puruhito

Effective O2 and nutrient distribution from our lungs and guts to our organ tissues depends on micro-circulation. Microcirculation is where the vascular system allows the intravascular volume to interact with the extravascular space to deliver O2 and nutrients and in exchange pick up metabolic waste. When these physical processes are interrupted, our body becomes stressed.

Physiologic stress is useful and essential for our survival. For example, when we are sick it plays a crucial role in recruiting the immune cell protagonists to help us overcome infections and sickness. But when the stress transforms from a transitory state to a permanent state, our body loses the capacity to self-heal and achieves homeostasis over time. D’OXYVA® technology and its revolutionary CO2 transdermal delivery allow our body to regain proper micro-circulation blood flow to our organs.

One of the most common public health problems related with poor microcirculation is diabetic foot ulcers. Diabetic foot ulcers are a healthcare problem that affects more than 6.5 million patients in the USA alone. It is expected that 15% of this population are at risk of developing diabetic ulcers. Further epidemiological studies have identified that almost 25% of diabetic patients are at risk of lower extremity amputation and foot ulcers preceded 85% of all amputations.

Diabetic patients with concomitant foot ulcers represent a perpatient annual health-care cost that ranges between $12,000 and $17,000. Nationally the USA spends $13 billion in healthcare management of diabetic foot ulcers complication in addition to the expenses associated with diabetes itself.

To help our community to better understand the disease and the new proposed technology for improving diabetic patients’ quality of life, we interviewed Prof. Ito Puruhito, a world renowned cardio-thoracic surgeon based in Indonesia who has shared his knowledge at several top universities including Harvard. Prof. Puruhito has focused his research and efforts on better understanding micro-circulation, particularly in the wound healing process.

In our interview, Prof. Puruhito pointed out the importance of microcirculation health literacy among diabetic patients. He stated: “The better the circulation, the better the body can function in general. Micro-circulation delivers blood and oxygen directly to tissue, and when it is impaired, virtually every bodily function suffers.” Improving micro-circulation—especially in ulcers developed in diabetic patients—leads to improved treatment response, shorter healing time, and ulcer prevention. In other words, it will improve patient quality of life and may prevent extremity amputation.micro-circulation health literacy among diabetic patients. He stated: “The better the circulation, the better the body can function in general. Micro-circulation delivers blood and oxygen directly to tissue, and when it is impaired, virtually every bodily function suffers.” Improving micro-circulation—especially in ulcers developed in diabetic patients—leads to improved treatment response, shorter healing time, and ulcer prevention. In other words, it will improve patient quality of life and may prevent extremity amputation.

Prof. Puruhito has dedicated the last 50 years to researching how to improve microcirculation in his patients. During this time he tested several strategies andproducts intended to improve microcirculation and found D’OXYVA® technology to be the most efficient medical device.

Prof. Puruhito stated: “The D’OXYVA® technology caught my attention because of its remarkable ability to deliver such a high concentration of CO2 directly to the bloodstream.” He also said: “The ability to interact directly with dermal capillary and cellular receptors near the skin gives it the ability to produce the desired systemic effects, which is critical for improving micro-circulation and wound healing.”

Prof. Puruhito is part of the D’OXYVA® independent researcher team. He has been studying D’OXYVA®’s positive impact on his patients and has documented a remarkable success rate with difficult-to-treat wounds and diabetic ulcers. Also, his preliminary findings indicate clear improvements in health care indicators such as peripheral O2 concentration and perfusion indexes among his patients (scientific article pending for publication). Shortly after he recognized D’OXYVA® ’s healthcare benefits for general body health, he started to use D’OXYVA® on a daily basis and said: “As a researcher, it is one thing to observe results in your patients, but another to experience them in your body. With D’OXYVA® ’s transdermal technology, I had both!”

D’OXYVA® ’s consistent positive impact in improving microcirculation and health quality is leading to new treatment options for other pathologies such as varicose veins and cellulite, among others. We are confident that D’OXYVA® technology and effective transdermal delivery of CO2 will continue to prove its capacity to help the body improve its microcirculation and its capacity to self-heal and achieve homeostasis.

 

Bibliography

Chandan K. Sen, P. G. (2003, Nov–Dec). Human Skin Wounds: A Major and Snowballing Threat to Public Health and the Economy. Wound Repair Regen., 17(6), 763–771.

Doupis, K. A. (2012). Management of Diabetic foot ulcer . Diabetes Ther.

McCall, B. (2014, march 13). Medscape. Retrieved from Medscape/News & Perspective .

 

Special thanks to Prof. Puruhito for allowing us to perform the interview at the International Wound Care and Biotherapy Conference in Kuala Lumpur (2015). Dr. Ito Puruhito is a cardiothoracic surgeon with more than 50 years of experience and Professor of Surgery at Airlangga University Medical School in Surabaya, Indonesia. This article was published thanks to: “Circularity Healthcare” – D’OXYVA® , interviewer: Dr. Paul Kirkitelos.

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D’OXYVA AND ITS POSITIVE IMPACT ON PATIENTS’ HEALTH

What is D’OXYVA?

The D’OXYVA® device is a simple, commercially- available device to deliver transdermal carbon dioxide (CO2). It consists of a patented and patent-pending ergonomic polymer shell that is propelled by a patented single-use mini steel pressurized cartridge (45 psi) filled with pharmaceutical-grade (99.5%) liquid, purified CO2. The mini-steel cylinder is GMP-compliant, and recyclable.

D’OXYVA was identified by the IRB in a human clinical trial as a non-significant risk (NSR) device.

The D’OXYVA device is manufactured in the United States and other countries. D’OXYVA is an ISO-complaint device, which means that Circularity Healthcare, LLC has received a certification to certify that D’OXYVA fulfills all of the international requirements for medical device regulations, like risk assessment and maintaining effective processes for safe design, manufacture and distribution.manufacture and distribution.

 
WHO IS INVOLVED IN IMPROVING HEALTHCARE FOR PATIENTS?

CO2 is the protagonist in D’OXYVA’s revolutionary approach to improving healthcare and patients’ quality of life. The medical device causes controlled ischemia-like stress in a local area of the body to promote central nervous system activity and circulate humoral agents that favor micro-circulation, especially at the organ capillary beds.

Adequate blood flow in the capillary bed is essential for tissue survival and optimal organ function. If blood passes too fast or does not pass at all, the tissue cannot extract O2 efficiently and will generate what is known as capillary dysfunction, which is related to chronic pain, poor wound healing, diabetic neuropathy and Alzheimer’s disease, among other conditions.

 
WHAT DO WE USUALLY REMEMBER ABOUT CO2?

 
· It is a key player in regulating extracellular hydrogen concentrations and pH through various systems, like the respiratory system, kidneys and various buffers.

· Biochemistry: An increase or decrease in 1 mmHg pCO2 will cause a decrease or increase in pH of 0.08 units in acute patients. In chronic patients, a pCO2 change of 1 mmHg will cause a pH change of 0.03 units.

· The Bohr and Haldane effects determine the interaction of O2 and CO2. At the cellular level, pCO2 concentration causes Hb-O2 dissociation.
· It is attained by our body through inhalation.

 
WHAT DO WE USUALLY FORGET ABOUT PCO2?

· Increased pCO2 promotes arteriolar dilatation in various tissues, while a modest effect has been shown in skeletal muscle tissues.

· CO2 can be delivered into our body through the skin (transdermal).

It is used in the medical industry to:

· Rapidly increase the depth of anesthesia when volatile agents are being administered—it increases the depth of respiration and helps to overcome breath holding and bronchial spasm

· Facilitate blind intubation in anesthetic practice

· Facilitate vasodilation and thus lessen the degree of metabolic acidosis during the induction of hypothermia

· Increase cerebral blood flow in arteriosclerotic patients undergoing surgery

· Stimulate respiration after a period of apnea

· Prevent hypocapnia during hyperventilation

It is also used in:

· Clinical and physiological investigations

· Gynecological investigations for insufflation into the fallopian tubes and abdominal cavities

· Tissue-freezing techniques (as dry ice) and to destroy warts by freezing.

· The CO2 concentration increment potentiates the S-shaped hemoglobin (Hb) to O2 dissociation curve. It helps Hb to unload O2 from 40% O2 dissociation under normal conditions to 70% O2 dissociation under increase CO2 concentration.

 
WHERE DOES CO2 VAPOR DELIVERED THROUGH THE SKIN TAKE ACTION IN THE BODY?

 
Transdermal delivery of CO2 has proved to improve local microcirculation (capillary beds) blood flow and tissue perfusion, but it also positively improves systemic blood pressure and TcpO2 (most likely due to the Bohr effect). As mentioned before, therapeutic medical-grade CO2 is used for vasodilatation in the medical field for several conditions and procedures.

Local, CO2 therapy has shown great success rates to improve the healthcare of patients through:

· Treatment for diabetic foot

· Increased microcirculation blood flow and dissociated O2 in healthy and diabetic individuals

·Treatment for arterial stenosis obliterans

· Chronic wound healing

· Adipose tissue treatment

Systemically, CO2 therapy has shown great success to improve:

· The healthcare of patients with high blood pressure

· General vital organ function, like that of the: – Pancreas – Liver – Brain – Kidneys

We are currently finding clinical researchers who are interested in participating in clinical trials with our medical device. Our goal is to produce scientific evidence of D’OXYVA’s potential to improve healthcare.

 
OUTSTANDING CLINICAL RESEARCH RESULTS
More than two dozen research projects have been performed to test D’OXYVA potential and its capability to help patients obtain wellness. We have tested the efficiency, tolerability and safety of the D’OXYVA medical device in delivering a gentle, highly concentrated CO2 mist to the body through the skin and prove the reproducibility of its effects beyond doubt. To do so, we measured body CO2 concentration before and after treatment as well as the expected physiological response to CO2 treatment. In addition, we have partnered with healthcare leaders and clinicians to perform independent research studies.

Research end points:

1) Safety and tolerability  Up to date, no adverse side effects or negative healthcare responses have been recorded from our clients using D’OXYVA. Also, no participants in our research projects had any documented side effects from treatment. We encourage you to discuss with your healthcare professional if D’OXYVA medical device is right for you.

· Up to date, no adverse side effects or negative healthcare responses have been recorded from our clients using D’OXYVA. Also, no participants in our research projects had any documented side effects from treatment. We encourage you to discuss with your healthcare professional if D’OXYVA medical device is right for you.

· Measured transcutaneous carbon dioxide (TcPCO2)

· Within the first 5 minutes of D’OXYVA treatment, TcPCO2 increases in the body, followed by a decline slope that lasts approximately 240 minutes until returning to baseline values.

· In healthy individuals, D’OXYVA does not increase pCO2 beyond the body buffer’s manageable range, making it completely safe.

2) Efficiency CO2 delivery

a. Measured blood perfusion index (PI)
· The results of each research project consistently showed a significant increment on PI in 100% of participants within the first 5 minutes of treatment, peaking at 60 minutes after treatment. From 60 minutes after treatment until 240 minutes (our largest time period evaluated after treatment), PI decreased slowly to baseline levels. PI studies on diabetic patients has demonstrated a greater response to CO2 that in non-diabetic healthy individuals. Our studies have recorded that the PI change (from baseline) in diabetic patients was double the PI change recorded in healthy patients (Graph 1).
Graph 1: Skin perfusion index (SPP) in healthy and diabetic participants vs. time after using the D’OXYVA medical device

b. O2 concentration
 D’OXYVA has consistently reported increased free O2 molecules in our patients’ blood streams. The effective transdermal CO2 delivery allows the body to increment O2 availability through the Bohr effect, which helps hemoglobin cells to unload O2 more easily by decreasing its affinity.

c. Blood pressure
All of the research projects performed up to date have consistently recorded a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (from the heart) and diastolic (return to the heart) blood pressure. These results have been consistent throughout all study time periods up to 240 minutes (our longest time period evaluated after treatment).

d. Diabetic ulcer
A research project focusing on D’OXYVA’s impact on diabetic ulcers recorded significant changes in wound healing, like significant granulation of tissue and improved ulcer borders, as soon as 1 week into the D’OXYVA treatment plan (Image 1).

e. Sports
Amateur and professional athletes are always searching for ways to improve cardiovascular function and increase the vascular transport capacity of skeletal muscle. Better vascular transport capacity translates to more O2 and nutrients delivered to our muscles, which means better performance in the field.
D’OXYVA research focusing on the perfusion index (PI) of superficial skeletal muscles has recorded excellent results. The most important findings demonstrate that participants who use D’OXYVA doubled their PI in comparison to the control group.

f. Blood alkalinity
Use of D’OXYVA has consistently been shown to improve local cellular homeostasis. It has the potential to improve body pH values by promoting an alkaline ambiance. A slightly alkaline microenvironment After 7 days of treatment with D’OXYVA (1x per day) – same wound dressing as before within the body promotes good health and optimal body organ performance.

 
WHEN WILL PATIENTS BEGIN TO PERCEIVE HEALTHCARE BENEFITS AFTER STARTING D’OXYVA?

The SENTEC digital monitor system has confirmed successful and constant CO2 transdermal delivery to the skin capillary bed after a 5-minute period of exposure to highly concentrated CO2 vapor produced by D’OXYVA.
The perceived healthcare benefits occur almost instantly, with local microcirculation improvements followed by an increment of SPO2 that last up to 240 minutes.

Nonetheless, adherence to a D’OXYVA regiment has demonstrated benefits to individuals suffering from difficult-to-heal skin wounds like diabetic ulcers, who demonstrated significant clinical improvements after two weeks of D’OXYVA.
Patients who achieved D’OXYVA device adherence for more than a month have shown wellness that persists in clinical trials.

Why can the D’OXYVA medical device and its capacity to produce highly concentrated CO2 vapor improve general health care? Judy M. Delp, Ph.D. in physiology and professor at the Florida State University, described D’OXYVA as a simple commercially available device used to deliver transdermal CO2 that has shown remote vasodilation, which may be mediated through the release of a circulating humoral agent.**

CO2 improves general healthcare in several ways:

· It has natural anti-inflammatory characteristics.

· It increases blood flow through microcirculation, by arteriolar/venous dilatation.

· It produces a rightward shift in the O2 dissociation curve.

· It enhances oxygen delivery at the cellular level in the muscles, organs, brain, skin and other parts of the body.

· It is a fat-dissolving compound.

· It naturally sedates and calms the central nervous system.

· It can be used to reconstruct functionally closed capillaries.

· It can improve venous response.

· It improves blood-flow properties.  It can be used to sedate the central nervous system.

 
IS D’OXYVA SAFE FOR MY PATIENTS (HUMANS AND PETS)?

Circularity Healthcare operates a state-of-the-art supply chain and quality management system (QMS) for manufacturing. Circularity has certificates of registration for IS EN ISO13485:2012 (European Union) and ISO13485:2003 under CMDCAS (Canada), which it has been implementing since 2013.

D’OXYVA is a CE-marked medical device (Class I, low risk) for delivery of medications via the skin. Circularity is seeking approval from the U.S. FDA and other countries for delivery of medical gases such as medical carbon dioxide (USP UN1013) via a novel, patented, non-invasive transdermal route with D’OXYVA to treat various widespread conditions.

Medical carbon dioxide is manufactured and delivered under applicable standards per each country’s regulatory requirements. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration has cleared the use of medical carbon dioxide through inhalation for humans but not yet through transdermal delivery with D’OXYVA. Transportation of medical carbon dioxide via any postal or courier service requires a certification for handling dangerous goods (HAZMAT) by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

 

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Blood Circulation Problems

Blood is the carrier of the all-important oxygen molecule. Through a series of reactions in which oxygen is involved, energy is produced, which is necessary for driving our cells’ metabolic reactions. So when blood does not reach a part of the body, the conditions that result from it are the consequences of oxygen deprivation. The heart, through its pumping action, maintains the pressure required for the blood to reach all parts of the body. Under normal circumstances, arteries, veins and capillaries, through which blood travels, are quite flexible. When they harden or get blocked, blood cannot flow through them to reach the organs. Hardening or blocking of blood vessels occur due to many reasons. Deposition of cholesterol and fat, clumping of platelets to form clots, and inflammation, all of these can lead to the narrowing of the diameter of blood vessels.

Problems in circulation also occur if the heart cannot pump blood efficiently. This can occur due to a number of reasons, but mostly is due to the same factors that are involved in blood vessel narrowing. Here are some conditions in which the blood circulation of an individual may get compromised.

It is the leading cause of narrowed blood vessels that ultimately lead to all kinds of problems in the body. Atherosclerosis is a gradual process of hardening and loss of flexibility of the arteries as a result of deposition of cholesterol and fats inside their lumen. These deposits are called plaques. When this deposition reaches a significant level, the arteries become partially or fully blocked. Blood cannot flow with the same efficiency through them, and the organ to which they supply suffers ischemia, a condition of oxygen deprivation. Atherosclerosis is the cause of many diseases like myocardial infarction, brain strokes, renal stenosis, and pain and cramps in the hands or legs. The disease which a person gets, depends on which arteries have significant blockage in them. Cholesterol is needed and manufactured naturally by the body, and it also comes into the body by the consumption of food, and excess amounts are stored. The same goes for fat – especially trans fat. A high fat diet is therefore one of the main culprits in causing atherosclerosis, although other factors like genetics are also important.

Treatment
There is no easy way to get rid of atherosclerotic plaques, because they are quite tenacious. Lifestyle modification is an absolute necessity in preventing further damage to the arteries. In fact, nothing works as well as lifestyle modification in dealing with atherosclerosis. Other than this, the options available are for increasing the diameter of the narrowed arteries to restore normal blood flow.
  • Angioplasty – This procedure involves inserting a flexible tube in the artery and inflating it to increase its diameter.
  • Bypass Surgery – When the arteries supplying the heart (coronary arteries) are completely blocked, they are ‘bypassed” by using a blood vessel from some other part (e.g. leg). By surgically attaching this blood vessel to the heart, the blood supply is redirected via this, to the heart.
  • Preventive Measures – Changes in lifestyle, such as following a low-fat diet, exercising, reducing alcohol consumption, and cessation of smoking are necessary to avoid buildup of plaque in the arteries. Some drugs like statins can be used to lower cholesterol levels in the body, but they have many side-effects too.

This disease has two forms, a primary one, and a secondary form (called Raynaud’s phenomenon). The primary form does not occur in association with some other disease, but the secondary form does. In people suffering from this condition, some parts of the body such as the fingers, toes, nose, lips and ears feel very cold under conditions of low temperature or stress. This happens because some small arteries in these body parts constrict, reducing blood flow, causing the feeling of numbness and cold experienced by people suffering from this disorder. During an attack, the affected body parts blanch, and then turn blue. When blood flow is slowly restored, they turn red along with a burning, throbbing sensation. Many people with Raynaud’s disease experience all this only in their extremities. Its prevalence is greater among women as compared to men.

Treatment
People with Raynaud’s disease are advised to wear warm clothes and not expose themselves to cold. They are also advised to stay away from drugs that cause blood vessel constriction. Most treatment options aim at dilating the constricted blood vessels which lead to the symptoms of Raynaud’s disease. If a patient has secondary Raynaud’s disease, the treatment for the underlying condition encompasses the treatment for Raynaud’s disease. If the patient does not get relief from these, or if the symptoms are very severe, surgical intervention or some other options may be resorted to.

Drugs

  • Calcium Channel Blockers – These dilate blood vessels so that proper circulation to the extremities is restored. Some drugs in this category that are used are nifedipine, nicardipine and diltiazem.
  • Alpha-receptor Blockers – These drugs bind to alpha-1 receptors because of which norepinephrine is unable to bind to them. This prevents the constrictive effect of norepinephrine on the blood vessels. Some drugs in this class that are used are prazosin and doxazosin.

Other Options

  • Nerve Excision – Nerves that supply the blood vessels of the affected body part are cut so that they cannot cause them to constrict.
  • Amputation – Sometimes, gangrene develops in the part where the blood supply has been blocked. It needs to be surgically removed to prevent further spread.
  • Nerve Blockage – The nerves supplying the affected body part can be temporarily blocked to prevent blood vessel constriction.

Diabetes, as is well-known, is a complex metabolic disorder. The inability of the body to utilize glucose has system-wide effects, leading to all kinds of problems, from impaired wound-healing to neuropathies. One among the many problems stemming from diabetes is poor circulation. A high level of cholesterol and glucose in the blood, as well as high blood pressure, causes the blood vessels to thicken and lose their flexibility. This leads to insufficient blood supply to various organs, especially the hands and feet. The consequences of this reduced blood supply are many, like infections, delayed and impaired wound healing, numbness and coldness, tingling and difficulty in walking. If care is not taken, sores develop on the feet, which may advance to gangrene. Adding to the problem is the fact that diabetics often are overweight and have high blood pressure. All of these put them at an increased risk of heart problems as well. Diabetics often experience pain and cramping in the legs after a long walk or exercise. This is known as claudication.

Treatment
Mostly, preventive measures undertaken to deal with atherosclerosis are recommended to patients with diabetes, for improving circulation. Without these, no amount of medication is enough to prevent circulation problems.

  • Quitting Smoking – Smoking has been strongly associated in a number of studies with the development of atherosclerosis. Quitting smoking is one of the most important steps that people with diabetes need to take to stop atherosclerosis.
  • Exercise – Physical activity, such as a daily walk, and exercise under supervision, greatly helps with improving circulation.
  • Other preventive measures include a healthy diet, not exposing the extremities to cold, and checking the feet for injuries, regularly.

Also known as Thromboangiitis obliterans, it is a disease of unknown cause, that has a strong association with smoking or chewing tobacco. This disease is characterized by inflammation of the veins and arteries of the extremities. They become inflamed and swell up, restricting blood flow to the hands and feet. Blood clots also form and further block the blood vessels. It is believed that some factors trigger the immune system to attack the blood vessels and cause inflammation. Insufficient blood supply to the limbs has the same effect on the hands and feet, as in other diseases, resulting from such a deficit – greater risk of infections, gangrene and tissue damage.

Treatment
Most patients of Buerger’s disease are habitual tobacco users. Since tobacco use plays an important part in the genesis and progression of the disease, stopping smoking is the most important step in slowing the progression of the disease. Cessation of smoking improves the outcome of treatment, and slows the condition from aggravating further. Other than this, a treatment plan for Buerger’s disease involves therapies that increase blood flow to the limbs.

  • Streptokinase – This is an enzyme that is used to dissolve blood clots. It has been shown to be beneficial to a certain extent in patients of Buerger’s disease.
  • Synthetic Prostacyclin Analogues – Drugs belonging to this class, like iloprost, treprostinil and cicaprost, have been used with some success in dilating blood vessels in patients.
  • Surgery – Surgical options include sympathectomy (cutting off the nerve supply to the blood vessels), and in case of gangrene, amputation of the gangrenous part(s).
  • Some experimental therapies like the use of drugs to stimulate new blood vessels to grow are also being tried out.

There are a number of diseases that are caused due to formation of clots in the blood vessels, especially the veins. Valve defects, being on birth control pills for a long time, certain genetic conditions, injury, inflammation, certain congenital defects, some cancers, and many other factors predispose a person’s arteries or veins toward blood clot formation. These can be dangerous if not dealt with immediately.

Treatment
It depends upon whether the clots are in the arteries or the veins.

  • Arterial Clots – Aspirin and clopidogrel, both prevent the blood platelets from sticking to each other. This helps in preventing clot formation. Heparin and some thrombolytic agents are also used to prevent clot formation.
  • Venous Clots – Heparin and warfarin, both are used to prevent clot formation in the veins.


Although some conditions in which there is a problem with blood flow are genetic in nature, most are preventable by bringing about lifestyle changes, such as following a healthy high-fiber diet, giving up smoking, and reducing consumption of alcohol.

Reference: https://healthhearty.com/blood-circulation-problems