It might sound strange, but rectal insufflation is considered one of the oldest and most systemic forms of ozone therapy. Its biological effects have been widely researched and experimented clinically.
It has been proven to be helpful in treating many diseases and is being viewed as a viable alternative to major ozone autohemotherapy (MAH), especially when MAH cannot be performed due to unfavorable vein conditions5. It is also known that ozone rectal insufflation can ward off and fight various infections and other associated medical conditions.
Overview of Ozone Rectal Insufflation
While ozone therapy has been around for over 150 years, it was only during the last decade that it was extensively researched and used in many countries as an alternative therapy for various diseases like chronic ulcer, necrotizing fasciitis, osteoradionecrosis, and refractory osteomyelitis12. In countries like Cuba, Ukraine, and Russia, oxygen-ozone insufflations are administered in public hospitals as they are relatively inexpensive and provide rapid results.
The classical oxygen-ozone therapy comes in two forms. The first one is MAH where a specified amount of human blood is treated with a precise ozone dosage. The ozonated blood is then brought back to the bloodstream either intravenously or injected intramuscular.
The second form13 is through insufflation or the pushing of ozone gas into a body cavity like the ears, vagina, or rectum.
Both forms have shown that a low dose of medical ozone can be used as a complementary remedy for chronic diseases and inflammations. The systemic application of ozone brings about homeostasis, promoting self-healing.
Introduction Video About Ozone Rectal Insufflation
What is Ozone Rectal Insufflation and Its Benefits?
As its name implies, rectal insufflation entails the introduction of medical ozone through the rectal cavity. It was first proposed in 1936 for treating chronic colitis and fistulae.
The procedure is completely painless, minimally invasive, and highly effective. Experts believe that rectal ozone insufflation is 95% as effective as MAH13 without the needles and the discomfort often associated with MAH treatment.
Applied medical ozone acts as a bioregulator, which induces signal transduction through the oxidation of glutathione and cysteine residues, resulting in the regulation of antioxidants and anti-aging effects.
The main benefit of rectal insufflation is its ability to oxygenate the whole body by increasing the oxygen levels in the gut and liver.
The main benefit of ozone rectal insufflation is its ability to oxygenate the whole body by increasing the oxygen levels in the gut and liver. As a side benefit, ozone therapy detoxifies the liver and boosts the immune system by activating the T-cells7. Another side benefit is the regulation of the body’s oxidative stress, which results in cell repair.
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Medical Conditions That Can Be Treated with Ozone Rectal Insufflation
Since ozone rectal insufflation targets the gut and the liver, it is commonly assumed that it is mostly used to treat issues2 like chronic constipation, hepatitis, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, anal fistulae and fissure, hemorrhoids, and other parasitic infections.
Rectal insufflation can also be used as a complementary therapy for asthma, arterial circulatory disturbances, angiopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, fibromyalgia, chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease, and virus-conditioned diseases.
Since rectal insufflation targets the gut and the liver, it is commonly assumed that it is mostly used to treat issues like chronic constipation, hepatitis, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, anal fistulae and fissure, hemorrhoids, and other parasitic infections.
However, while ozone rectal insufflation can address a wide array of diseases, not everyone can undergo the therapy3. Women who are at least 3 months pregnant and patients of acute myocardial infarction, severe cardiovascular instability, acute alcohol intoxication, hyperthyroidism, and serious coagulation disorders are not recommended to undergo the procedure5.
How Ozone Rectal Insufflation Works?
Most rectal insufflation requires only three things: a small catheter, an ozone collection bag, and a lubricant. The patient is laid on their left side, with knees bent and pulled upward to lift the upper buttocks for better rectal opening. Waterproof pads are often placed under the patient’s hips to protect the bedding.
The catheter is lubricated and inserted into the rectum about 4 inches deep. The other end of the catheter is then connected to the ozone collection bag. Afterwards, about 3 to 6 ounces of ozone is gently administered over a 5 to 10-minute period.
Most rectal insufflation requires only three things: a small catheter, an ozone collection bag, and a lubricant.
When the procedure is over, the catheter is removed from the rectum and the patient is refrained from passing gas or having a bowel movement within 30 minutes post treatment.
Experts recommend that patients undergo this procedure once a day for three weeks1. For maintenance, the patient is advised a week interval before the next therapy.
Recommended Dosage for Ozone Rectal Insufflation
The Intramuscular administration of medical ozone through direct injection to the affected tissue stimulates the cytokine oxidase found within the cell mitochondria. This activates cell synthesis, which helps produce newer and healthier tissues and improves the body’s ability to heal itself.
Is Ozone Rectal Insufflation Safe?
Based on a controlled study conducted in Germany, there are no reported incidents nor adverse reactions among patients who have undergone rectal ozone insufflation. There are, however, minor reports of transient irritations in the form of flatulence9.
Another study reported that there were cases of bloating and constipation, but both effects were short-term5. The same study also showed that only 2 out of 716 patients reported slight transient flatulence after the procedure.
Moreover, the plastic devices used in rectal insufflation must meet the high-quality standards set by the ISO 15747:2005. This ensures that no ozone can escape during the procedure, which can otherwise potentially endanger both the patient and the therapist.
Devices such as ozone generators must have a precise photometer and gas pressure control. Pure oxygen must also be used to generate the ozone gas.
The therapist should either be a qualified physician, nurse, paramedic, or a trustworthy assistant who is adequately trained to perform the ozone therapy. The clinic where the procedure takes place must have the appropriate system in place for gas elimination as indicated by the European Commission (EC).
Is Rectal Ozone Insufflation Medically Accepted as an Alternative Therapy?
Ozone therapy is certainly not without any controversies. For example, the direct injection of ozone into the bloodstream is strictly prohibited. Some countries, like Russia, opt to use ozonated saline solution to intravenously administer it to their patients.
An important improvement has been the production of more reliable ozone generators that produce the precise concentration or ozone volume output needed for the treatment and for eliciting an antioxidative response.
Despite the limitations and concerns around rectal ozone insufflation, it remains to be one of the safest and most effective systemic applications of medical ozone in the body.
Although still lacking in sponsors and funding, the handful of clinical trials on rectal ozone insufflation showed excellent performance and results.
So, while there are still limitations that hinder the full acceptance of rectal ozone therapy as a mainstream medical alternative, its parameters are still well within those of conventional medicine.
Despite the limitations and concerns around rectal ozone insufflation, it remains to be one of the safest and most effective systemic applications of medical ozone in the body.
Its effects are not only limited to addressing a specific illness or disease but can also include improving the body’s overall health. Rectal ozone insufflation can help stimulate the immune system and provide increased levels of oxygen to your tissues.
Conclusion
For rectal ozone insufflation, it is best to leave the application to the experts. This will ensure your safety as well as the quality of the devices that will be used in its administration.
It is highly recommended that physicians and medical practitioners with thorough training in ozone therapy be the one to administer the required medical ozone dosage, regardless of the form of application.
If you are not sure whether rectal ozone insufflation is right for you, it would be best to speak to a doctor before signing up for the procedure.
You can do your own research on the efficacy and effectiveness of rectal ozone insufflation. With its growing popularity, it is not difficult to find websites and peer-reviewed journal articles that report the correct applications, safety, and possible side effects of this procedure.
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References
- Díaz-Luis, J., Menendez-Cepero, S., Macias-Abraham, C., & Farinas-Rodriguez, L. (2018). Systemic ozone therapy by rectal insufflation for immunoglobulin a deficiency. International Journal of Cuban Health & Medicine, 20(1), 29-35.
- East Valley Naturopathic Doctors. (2020, April 17). RECTAL OZONE INSUFFLATION PROCEDURE. Retrieved from https://www.eastvalleynd.com/rectal-ozone-insufflation-procedure/
- Hidalgo-Tallón, J. Mendez-Cepero, S. & Vilchez, J. S., Rodriguez-Lopez, C. M., & Calandre, E. P. (2013). Ozone therapy as add-on treatment in fibromyalgia management by rectal insufflation: An open-label pilot study. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 19(3). https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2011.0739
- Hyperbaric Therapy. (n.d.). Ozone therapy. Retrieved from https://oxygenairtherapy.com/ozone-therapy/
- International Scientific Committee of Ozone Therapy. (2017). ISCO3/MET/00/23 Rectal insufflation. Madrid, Spain: International Scientific Committee of Ozone Therapy.
- Loprete, F. & Vaiano, F. (2017). The use of ozonated water and rectal insufflation in patients with interstinal dysbiosis. Ozone Therapy, 2(7304), 56-61.
- Medical Ozone. (n.d.). Insufflation – rectal; vaginal; ear. Retrieved from http://medicalozone.co.za/service/insufflation-rectal-vaginal-ear/
- Nikishin, O. (2019, January 22). How to do rectal/vaginal insufflations and how it will benefit you. Retrieved from http://drosolutions.com/how-to-do-rectal-vaginal-insufflations-and-how-it-will-benefit-you/
- O3 Academy. (n.d.). Rectal ozone insufflation. Retrieved from https://o3academy.com/rectal-ozone-insufflation/
- Taylor, J. (n.d.). Ozone protocols: A review of ozone therapy applications. Retrieved from http://oxygenhealingtherapies.com/intro_ozone.html
- The Farm at San Benito. (n.d.). Ozone therapies. Retrieved from http://www.thefarmatsanbenito.com/treatments/ozone-therapies/
- Velio B., Zanardi, I., Borrelli, E. & Travagli, V. (2011). Reliable and effective oxygen‐ozone therapy at a crossroads with ozonated saline infusion and ozone rectal insufflation. Jounal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 64, 482-489.
- Viebahn-Hänsler, R., Fernandez, O. S.L., & Fahmy, Z. (2016). Ozone in medicine: Clinical evaluation and evidence classification of the systemic ozone applications, major autohemotherapy and rectal insufflation, according to the requirements for evidence-based medicine. The Journal of International Ozone Association, 38(5), 322-345. https://doi.org/10.1080/01919512.2016.1191992
