Whole Body Hyperthermia

Whole Body Hyperthermia

Whole-Body Hyperthermia refers to heating the body to a specified core body temperature using sophisticated equipment as a medical therapy.  Much scientific data and research has been done on Hyperthermia, especially in Germany, where it has been widely studied and shown to be effective. Yet, this important therapy is still relatively unknown and rarely accepted in the US.  For maximum effectiveness, hyperthermia must be done with the highest standard of equipment, in a hospital setting, and an environment of detoxification.  Sanoviv uses the Heckel HT3000 equipment from Germany, which is specifically designed for therapeutic hyperthermia.  (scroll down to learn more)

Whole Body Hyperthermia for Cancer

When used for cancer, hyperthermia is considered an immunotherapy, because it stimulates the immune system to work more effectively at identifying and fighting cancer cells.  Raising the core body temperature artificially induces a fever response, which stimulates the immune system to work harder.  It also helps to potentiate, or increase the effectiveness of, other cancer therapies. It can help the body to release toxins and toxicants that have been stored in the tissues so that they can be eliminated by the many pathways of detoxification.  Whole-Body Hyperthermia works synergistically as a supportive therapy in the fight against cancer.  These hyperthermia sessions generally last under an hour and do not require sedation.

Hyperthermia for Lyme and Chronic Infections

A specialized form of whole-body hyperthermia is used as a primary therapy in the treatment of Chronic Infectious diseases such as Lyme Disease and it’s associated co-infections.  In this therapy, the core body temperature is carefully raised to a target therapeutic temperature of 41-42 degrees Celsius (105.8 – 107.6 degrees Fahrenheit), in a carefully controlled hospital environment.  Various supportive therapies enhance the effect, and have been shown to reduce or eliminate symptoms in many patients – even in cases where it has been chronic for years.

The potential benefits of extreme hyperthermia include:

1. 1. Temperatures above 105 degrees have been shown to kill bacteria such as Borrelia and many other co-infections. So, the temperature itself may directly reduce or eliminate these infections.
   2. This aggressive therapy tends to break down biofilms, which can shield or protect chronic infections from the effects of antibiotics and our immune system. Thus, extreme hyperthermia may help to render the spirochetes and other bacteria more vulnerable, drawing back the curtain to expose them to the full effect of antibiotics.  With this in mind, we usually administer high dose IV antibiotics (targeted to the specific pathogenic profile of the patient) during the hyperthermia so that it can attack them when they are most susceptible.
   3. It stimulates detoxification, helping the body to release toxins and toxicants that have accumulated in the tissues, and may be contributing to the chronic nature of the disease. These can then be released from the body using its many pathways of detoxification.
   4. An artificially induced fever signals the immune system to increase activity by searching out and destroying bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.

These effects work synergistically with the other supportive therapies in our Lyme & Chronic Infectious Disease Program to attack the disease from multiple perspectives.

Preparation – Sanoviv patients spend 3-5 days of preparation and testing in order to prepare for extreme hyperthermia. Testing includes evaluation by various integrative professionals and laboratory work. Detox therapies help lower the overall toxic load so that the detox effect from the hyperthermia doesn’t overload the body. This is a critical step, where we stimulate 8 important pathways of detoxification. Patients are also hydrated and prepared nutritionally.

During this time, most Lyme patients will have a minor surgical procedure to place a subclavian catheter, which carries IVs directly into a major vein in the shoulder. This way the patient doesn’t have to be repeatedly pricked for IVs.

Hyperthermia Treatment – On the day of the treatment, the patient goes through several phases. Below is a description of the typical treatment. Your specific treatment may vary depending on doctor orders or your health profile.

1. Intake and Preparation – The patient has an appointment in the special care (nursing) department to prepare for the procedure and meet the anesthesiologist (who will stay with them throughout the procedure). The individual will be placed in the hyperthermia chamber and connected to IV, oxygen, a digital rectal thermometer, and various other devices to measure the patient’s vitals throughout the procedure. When everything is ready, the patient is sedated.
2. Heating Phase – The body is slowly heated to the target core body temperature of 41 -42 degrees Celsius. Depending on the individual, this can take anywhere from 1 to 2.5 hours. Patient vitals and temperature are continuously monitored throughout the procedure. Each body heats at a different rate and reaches a different temperature within the target temperature range.
3. Therapeutic Phase – Maintain the target core body temperature for 60-90 minutes. During these phase, targeted antibiotics are administered to the patient.
4. Cool Down Phase – The body temperature is slowly reduced until it returns to normal.
5. Recovery – The patient wakes from the anesthesia and is transferred to a hospital recovery room where the individual can continue to be monitored and have access to oxygen or other services if needed. Companions can be with the patient as they recover. Once the patient is stable, he or she will be released to return normal program activities.

The full treatment time, including all 5 phases described, is between 5-7 hours. This therapy is done twice during the 2-week treatment program. Each Sanoviv doctor can modify or customize the standard protocol as needed to address the individual needs of the patient. While whole-body hyperthermia is an essential part of our Lyme disease treatment, it works best when combined with other supportive therapies. The Sanoviv approach includes a variety of simultaneous treatments designed to work together in a comprehensive program to fight infections that have become chronic and are non-responsive to other treatments.

For more information about hyperthermia at Sanoviv, please contact your admissions representative.