What Are Inflammatory Syndromes?
The term inflammatory syndromes encompasses a broad group of conditions in which chronic inflammation is the central pathophysiological mechanism, either as the primary disease process or as a persistent systemic state associated with another condition.
This category includes chronic systemic inflammation related to metabolic syndrome, obesity-associated inflammation, persistent inflammatory syndromes following infection, such as Long COVID and post-viral inflammation, and other treatment-resistant inflammatory conditions.
Chronic inflammation, also known as “inflammaging,” when associated with ageing, forms a common biological background to a remarkably wide range of modern diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, neurodegenerative conditions and even certain forms of cancer.
Its management cannot be limited to pharmacological suppression alone. It also requires interventions that address the underlying biological causes.
Chronic Systemic Inflammation
Chronic systemic inflammation is characterised by persistently elevated levels of inflammatory markers and cytokines, including CRP, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β, which cause cumulative damage to multiple organs and systems over time.
Unlike acute inflammation, which is necessary and beneficial, chronic inflammation represents a form of persistent immune dysregulation. The immune system remains activated even in the absence of an active infection or injury that would justify such a response.
Oxidative stress is an integral feature of chronic inflammation. The reactive oxygen species generated during the inflammatory response aggravate tissue injury, impair mitochondrial function and weaken the body’s natural anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
This self-perpetuating cycle of inflammation and oxidative stress sustains the chronic pathological state and makes therapeutic intervention more difficult.
Scientific Studies
The ability of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to reduce systemic inflammatory markers is one of the most consistent findings in the scientific literature.
Studies across a range of clinical indications have reported significant reductions in CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α following courses of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. These findings suggest a systemic anti-inflammatory effect that extends beyond its local action.
In Long COVID specifically, emerging clinical studies have reported improvements in neurological, cognitive and systemic symptoms among patients who received hyperbaric oxygen therapy, alongside reductions in inflammatory biomarkers.
The activation of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), during a course of treatment directly counteracts the self-perpetuating cycle of inflammation and oxidative stress.
The Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
In inflammatory syndromes, hyperbaric oxygen therapy acts as a biological anti-inflammatory intervention that complements, rather than replaces, pharmacological treatment.
Its value lies in addressing the underlying pathophysiological mechanism—the interaction between inflammation and oxidative stress—rather than merely alleviating symptoms.
The suppression of inflammatory cytokines through inhibition of NF-κB signaling reduces systemic inflammation, while the activation of antioxidant enzymes helps interrupt the cycle of oxidative stress.
At the same time, improved mitochondrial function restores energy production in cells functioning under conditions of chronic inflammation.
For conditions such as Long COVID, an initial treatment course typically consists of 20 to 40 sessions and may be repeated depending on the patient’s response, always under medical supervision.