Ozone is a type of oxygen normally present in very low concentrations in the air we breathe. In higher amounts, such as those found in smog, ozone is a respiratory irritant. However, the substance also functions to protect the Earth from dangerous space radiation in a part of the atmosphere known as the ozone layer. Ozone is used in both medicine and industry. In industry, it’s used mainly as a disinfectant for medical supplies and swimming pools. In medicine, it has a number of applications. One of them is as an agent to combat wound infections. This is because the substance readily kills bacteria, viruses and fungi. However, it doesn’t differentiate between good, beneficial bacteria and bad. It basically kills them all. However, the good bacteria regenerate much faster than the bad ones do, so this may not actually be very harmful. Ozone is actually produced in small amounts by the body for its beneficial effects on health, such as the promotion of healing and the reduction of pain. Higher levels of ozone are associated with lightning and storms. In fact, it’s ozone you smell right after the end of a thunderstorm.

Ozone is used in dentistry, too. It’s placed into a tooth’s cavity before filling to eliminate bacteria. It can be applied directly to gums to help kill bacteria that cause gum disease and abcesses. Ozone may quickly and completely eliminate tooth sensitivity and speed healing from cancer sores and mouth ulcers. It may be used as part of a tooth implant procedure. Some dentist install ozone generating equipment in their offices to treat all of the above and also to add ozone to the rinsing water for patients.

What Else Can Ozone Do?

Ozone has other important functions, too:

• Reduces inflammation
• Helps restore normal gut bacteria
• Increases cell energy production
• Improves brain function
• Strengthens gums and teeth
• Kills toxic mold

Types of Therapy

Ozone is safe if used under expert medical supervision. There are a number of different types of ozone therapy:

• Ten pass

In this procedure, the physician removes blood from your body, mixes it with ozone and then returns it to you intravenously ten times in a row. This supplies concentrated ozone to all parts of the body and may be especially beneficial to help brain and cell function.

• Rectal ozonation

In this procedure, a catheter is used to send about a quart of ozone into the colon, where it kills pathogenic gut bacteria and parasites. This also supplies ozone directly to the liver, where it may enhance the detoxification and overall function of the liver.

• Ozone injections

These can be administered just about anywhere on the body and are good for localized treatment of lesions and skin conditions.

• Ozonated oil and water

Ozone can be bubbled through water or oil to form a type of infusion. It can be swallowed to help restore normal stomach bacteria, applied topically on wounds or infections or swished in the mouth to improve oral hygiene and health.

Ozone may help to treat certain forms of cancer, Lyme disease, ulcerative colitis, diabetic ulcers, rheumatoid arthritis and hepatitis B and C. This is only a partial list of medical conditions that ozone may be able to treat.

Although it’s possible, with training, to administer some types of ozone therapy at home, never do so without medical advice. Ozone can be dangerous or even fatal if inhaled in higher concentrations. A good rule to remember when doing this type of therapy at home is to pay close attention to any room odors. If the room begins to smell like the air right after a storm, turn off all equipment, leave the area and get immediate medical assistance. Although ozone is a natural air disinfectant and is actually part of some types of commercial air purifiers, it’s potentially toxic when too much is inhaled. Medical use of ozone never includes inhalation into the lungs.

Interested in Ozone?

If you’d like to know if ozone could help you, just call us at 205-352-9141. A consultation with one of our physicians will answer all your questions and let you know if ozone therapy can help you. Our trained staff will be happy to set an appointment for you. We look forward to your call.