Everything in our life on Earth relies entirely on the presence of oxygen. We can survive for days without food and water, but without oxygen, life ends within minutes. Since our bodies cannot store oxygen like food, we must absorb oxygen throughout our lives. Interestingly, although oxygen is so essential to life, it also leads to the formation of oxidative (harmful) oxygen radicals, which underlie disease and aging. This is why scientists refer to oxygen as a "vital poison." We cannot live without oxygen, but we must also protect ourselves from the damage caused by the radicals it produces. For this reason, our bodies have an "antioxidant" defense system that neutralizes these radicals.

Ozone therapy effectively supports this protective system by both increasing oxygen utilization in the tissues and helping to neutralize the resulting harmful oxygen radicals. We have been researching ozone therapy for years. With proper application and careful patient selection, ozone therapy will in many cases deliver encouraging results as a supportive treatment method for various diseases.

Ozone therapy plays an important role in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, particularly in applications that use the patient's own blood intravenously. At the same time, it regulates the immune system, protecting against harmful bacteria and viruses with its cleansing properties. This aspect of ozone therapy is particularly beneficial for people who frequently suffer from illnesses such as flu, colds, and the common cold during the winter months and during the changing seasons. Applying ozone to joints and muscles loosens these areas, leading to pain relief and relaxation. This method can be used particularly for herniated discs, muscle atrophy, and joint tension.

What is ozone?

Ozone is a gas consisting of three oxygen atoms and exists in a gaseous state. Unlike the stable oxygen molecule (O2), ozone (O3) is an unstable molecule. It was discovered in 1839 by the German chemist Christian Friedrich Schönbein. In the early years after its discovery, it was primarily used for disinfection purposes. In 1860, ozone began to be used for disinfection in Monaco's water treatment plants. The disinfecting effect of ozone is based on its strong oxidizing properties. It not only kills viruses and bacteria but can also oxidize all microorganisms and toxins.

Ozone is a colorless gas with a characteristic odor (it is detected after thunderstorms, at higher altitudes, or along coastal areas). Its name comes from the Greek word "to smell." Due to its strong oxidizing and disinfecting properties, it continues to be used in water treatment plants worldwide that supply drinking water.

The antioxidant defense system is particularly weakened in long-term diseases such as obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Ozone therapy strengthens this system by helping to combat the effects of harmful oxygen radicals.

The production and use of ozone:

Ozone is produced from oxygen using generators. In ozone applications, where inhalation of ozone is toxic, it is important to correctly adjust the dosage. Through the dosage, various purposes such as antioxidant, disinfectant, immune-stimulating or suppressing, and circulation-promoting effects can be achieved. Another important consideration in ozone therapy is the material used. Ozone can only be applied using materials such as stainless steel, borosilicate glass, polyethylene, polypropylene, and Teflon. The use of PVC or DEHP-containing materials can lead to serious health problems. Furthermore, sterility and antiseptic measures must be observed during application, and appropriate sterile filters should be used.

Applications of ozone therapy:

- Major ozone therapy: This is the most common method. It involves taking 100-200 ml of blood from the patient, mixing it with a fixed dose of ozone, and then administering it intravenously.
- Minor ozone therapy: 2-5 ml of blood is taken from the patient, mixed with a fixed dose of ozone and then administered intramuscularly.
- Ozone application in body cavities: Ozone can be applied rectally or vaginally or by spraying into the ear canal.
- Ozone application in joints and muscles: In diseases of the musculoskeletal system, ozone injections into joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles are used to relieve pain and control inflammation.

Areas of application of ozone therapy:

According to the Madrid Declaration, the indications for ozone therapy can be divided into two main categories:

Diseases in which ozone therapy has been successful:

- Fistulas and abscesses, infected wounds, pressure ulcers, chronic ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers and burns
- Advanced ischemic diseases (circulatory disorders) (Buerger's disease, ischemic heart disease)
- Lumbar and cervical disc herniations
- Age-related macular degeneration (dry type)
- Local calcifications
- Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia
- Root caries in children
- Recurrent or persistent infections in the mouth
- Bartholin abscesses or vaginal candidiasis
- Vasculitides (Raynaud's disease, Behçet's disease, FMF)
- Antibiotic-resistant infections (hepatitis, HIV, herpes, zoster, papilloma virus, candida infections)

Diseases in which ozone therapy supports modern treatment:

- Together with chemotherapy and radiotherapy
- Autoimmune diseases (multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, early Parkinson's disease)
- Pulmonary diseases (asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis)
- Skin diseases (psoriasis, atopic dermatitis)

Conditions in which ozone therapy should not be performed:

Absolutely contraindicated:

- Favism (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency)
- Uncontrolled hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
- Leukemia

Use with caution:

- Acute bleeding (not within 3 weeks of a heart attack or bleeding-related stroke)
- Pregnancy (especially in the first trimester)
- Blood clotting disorders
- Uncontrolled cardiovascular disease
- Patients with reduced antioxidant protection
- Patients with organ transplants


Duration of ozone therapy:

Typically, 15-20 sessions are performed once or twice a week. Treatment can be performed daily as needed. The patient is expected to be cured between the 5th and 10th sessions, and after the 12th session, antioxidant defense mechanisms are expected to be activated.

Interactions with medications during ozone therapy:

Patients receiving antioxidant therapies such as vitamin C or glutamate should not take them concurrently with ozone therapy. There should be at least four hours between doses.

Diabetics taking insulin or oral blood glucose lowering medication should monitor their blood glucose levels regularly during ozone therapy and take the medication either 4 hours before or after ozone therapy.

Patients taking antihypertensive medications should take their medication either 4 hours before or after ozone therapy.

Patients taking blood thinning medications should inform their doctor about ozone therapy.

Examples of clinical situations in which ozone therapy is used:

Due to its immune-boosting properties, ozone therapy is often used in inflammatory joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. High efficacy has been reported, particularly in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and concomitant intestinal inflammation.

Eliminating circulatory disorders and increasing tissue oxygenation in cases of impaired wound healing due to circulatory disorders are important benefits of ozone therapy. Non-healing wounds due to diabetes mellitus also fall within the scope of ozone therapy.

Due to increased oxygenation, improved circulation, and the removal of oxidative substances, ozone therapy has been shown to have positive effects on the control of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. It helps relieve pain and fatigue and regulates sleep.

In the case of problems of the musculoskeletal system such as herniated discs in the lumbar and cervical spine as well as joint diseases (such as calcifications), both ozonation of the blood and ozone therapy around and in the joints contribute to long-term improvement.

By increasing antioxidant capacity, migraines and headaches can also be treated with ozone therapy. The combination with acupuncture, in particular, shows very good results.

In addition to treating diseases, ozone therapy also plays a role in a healthy lifestyle and anti-aging measures. Along with dietary changes and regular physical exercise, regular ozone therapy leads to noticeable improvements. It not only promotes a better sense of well-being but also prevents the development of diseases. For example, for patients who are particularly affected by seasonal changes, especially those with allergic reactions during seasonal changes, it is a practical treatment method that has both a preventative and symptom-relieving effect.

Ozone therapy has been successfully used worldwide for over 40 years. The "Major Autohemotherapy Treatment," specifically hyperbaric ozone therapy, used at the Dr. Katmer Health Center, represents the most effective form of treatment. It has been shown to treat many, even the most serious, illnesses.

Ozone therapy is a natural treatment method that can significantly shorten or even prevent the progression of many diseases. The intensive effect of ozone/oxygen therapy on improving blood circulation is further supported by multiple responses to numerous disease factors.

Ozone treatment is primarily used for peripheral and central circulatory disorders, eye diseases caused by circulatory disorders, migraines, dizziness, sudden hearing loss, and tinnitus. It is also successfully used to treat arteriosclerosis, coronary heart disease, hypercholesterolemia, hyperuricemia, gout, and liver damage. Another therapeutic area is revitalization in cases of tumors or serious illnesses. Due to its proven effect on the immune system, ozone therapy is effective in all cases of stress and other lifestyles that place strain on the immune system.

In short, ozone/oxygen therapy heals naturally and leads to well-being.

Areas of application

General immune deficiency with susceptibility to infection

Acute and chronic inflammation

Revitalization in cases of poor performance and fatigue

Autoimmune diseases (e.g. rheumatism, Crohn's disease)

as a complementary therapy for cancer, also for follow-up treatment

In addition to pain therapy

Circulatory disorders

Metabolic diseases, e.g. lipid metabolism disorders, gout

Liver diseases, regardless of the trigger

Mood adjustment treatment for allergies, skin diseases and asthma

Mode of action

Ozone's effects vary depending on the application and dosage. In autohemotherapy, ozone activates the immune system, stimulating the increased production of messenger substances (e.g., interferons, interleukins). At the same time, ozone activates enzymes that neutralize dangerous free radicals. Ozone also improves blood flow.

Implementation

During ozone autohemotherapy, blood is drawn from a vein. For the "large" autohemotherapy, up to 200 ml of blood is drawn. The drawn blood is enriched with ozone in a special device. The ozone is electrically generated from pure oxygen in the device and precisely dosed. Your blood is then returned to you via the vein. The needle remains in the vein for this purpose. The entire treatment takes approximately 20 minutes.

Depending on the indication, there is also a small autohemotherapy treatment, in which only a few milliliters of blood are treated with ozone (and possibly mixed with homeopathic preparations) and injected into the muscle. Occasionally, ozone is also applied externally, for example, for impaired wound healing, leg ulcers, etc.

Risks

Ozone autohemotherapy is one of the lowest-risk treatment options in medicine. Thorough training of our practice team, regular maintenance of the equipment, and more ensure smooth treatments. Bruising on the vein rarely occurs, as is common with other blood draws.

Ozone autohemotherapy is contraindicated if there are coagulation disorders, a heart attack or stroke has occurred in the last 3 months, or there is untreated hyperthyroidism.

What do patients need to pay attention to?

In ozone autohemotherapy, metabolic processes are triggered as a response to a stimulus. It is therefore a so-called regulatory treatment. To encourage the body to undergo this adjustment, repeated stimulation is required (as in sports training). Therefore, repeated treatments are necessary. Up to 10 treatments are performed. Regular patient cooperation is required for full effectiveness.

Please note that the various ozone therapies are not covered by statutory health insurance. This only covers the costs of "adequate and appropriate care." Private health insurance providers are usually much more accommodating, depending on the plan.

If you would like treatment or have any questions about therapy, please contact our practice team!

Ozone therapy

We are all familiar with the ozone layer in our atmosphere, which protects us from the sun's burning rays. This layer owes its name to the unstable gas ozone, which is formed by the combination of three oxygen atoms. Ozone is essential to our lives and is now used to treat various diseases and for skin rejuvenation. The use of this gas for therapeutic purposes is called ozone therapy.

One of the most common applications of ozone therapy is anti-aging and skin tightening treatments. However, ozone can also be used as an adjunct in the treatment of many diseases. The gas used in such procedures is called medical-grade ozone and consists of a mixture of 5% ozone and oxygen.

Methods of ozone therapy

Ozone therapy is applied in different ways depending on the needs of the individual or the affected area. These include direct methods, such as injection or incorporation of a small amount of ozone into the body vapor, and indirect methods, such as absorption of ozone by the body.

Major ozone therapy: This is the most common application of ozone therapy. It involves taking 50 to 100 ml of blood from the patient, combining it with a mixture of oxygen and ozone in a special sterile container, and then repeatedly injecting the patient. The injection is given either into a vein in the arm or buttock.

Minor ozone therapy: This method is similar to standard ozone therapy, but this time a smaller amount of blood (usually between 5 and 10 ml) is taken and mixed with ozone in a sterile syringe before being returned to the patient. This method is also widely used and is often used for people who don't have specific complaints but want to boost their immune system, for example, especially during colder seasons or transitional periods.

Local ozone therapy: This method is typically used to treat severe muscle pain or cramps, where ozone is injected directly into the affected muscle or muscle group.

Ozone therapy for joints: In contrast to local ozone therapy, this method is applied directly to problematic joints, especially in joint diseases such as osteoarthritis

Bag method: This method involves the use of ozone-oxygen mixtures that are slowly absorbed into the body by placing special bags around the hands and feet.

Ozone sauna method: This method is used primarily for skin rejuvenation and immune system strengthening and can be considered a cosmetic treatment. We will have a separate section on the ozone sauna method later in our article.

Benefits of ozone therapy

Ozone therapy plays an important role in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, particularly in applications that involve the use of the patient's blood. It also strengthens the immune system by killing harmful bacteria and viruses, thus protecting the body from infection. This property of ozone therapy is particularly useful for people who frequently suffer from colds, flu, and other infections during the winter months or transitional seasons. Applying ozone to muscles and joints can help relieve pain and promote relaxation. This method can be particularly helpful for muscle calcification and joint stiffness.

The use of ozone therapy as part of anti-aging treatments is closely linked to the benefits mentioned above. By cleansing blood vessels and strengthening the immune system, circulation improves, resulting in firmer and more youthful skin. Hardened skin becomes softer and healthier. Furthermore, the application of ozone during therapy can give the patient a feeling of vitality and energy, which has a positive effect on fatigue, exhaustion, and weakness.

Ozone also has a profound impact on brain function. Treatments with ozone can help balance hormone production in the brain and improve certain memory problems. While it doesn't offer a solution for clinical forgetfulness due to psychopathological causes, it can be helpful in forgetful conditions caused by aging, fatigue, stress, and other factors. Furthermore, ozone therapy can help with relaxation and coping with depression during stressful times.

If you do some research online, you'll find that ozone therapy is often mentioned in connection with weight loss methods. However, it's important to note that ozone therapy itself does not directly lead to weight loss. No conclusive evidence has been found for a weight-loss effect from ozone applications. Nevertheless, ozone therapy, along with a healthy diet and exercise program, as well as other appropriate methods, can serve as a supportive option for weight loss. The various benefits of ozone therapy, such as cleansing blood vessels and tightening skin, can help the body see weight loss results more quickly. However, it's important to emphasize that ozone therapy should not be considered a primary method for weight loss, and it's advisable to stay away from centers that claim that ozone alone can lead to weight loss. If you're considering ozone therapy as a supportive method for weight loss, ozone sauna therapy may be the best option for you.

Medical ozone therapy

The first medical application of ozone dates back to Dr. Albert Wolff, who treated German soldiers with gangrene and similar serious injuries during World War I. The first important organization to discuss the use of ozone as a therapeutic agent was the 59th Meeting of the German Surgical Society, held in Berlin in 1935. Dr. Erwin Payr gave a presentation there entitled "Ozone Applications in Surgery," in which he presented cases from his own practice. From this point until the 1980s, various physicians and researchers used ozone therapy individually. However, starting in the 1980s, both scientific studies and case series on the medical application of ozone began to increase rapidly. Medical ozone is always used as a mixture of pure ozone and pure oxygen. In this mixture, ozone should be no more than 5% and oxygen at least 95%. An ozone therapist is a medical doctor trained in ozone therapy who determines the dosage based on the condition of the disease.

Basic principles of medical ozone therapy

Ozone therapy involves administering a specific amount of oxygen/ozone mixture to body cavities or the circulatory system. This mixture can be administered intravenously (into the vein), intramuscularly (into the muscle), intraarticularly (into the joint), intrapleurally (into the abdominal cavity), intrarectally (into the rectum), intradiscally (into the intervertebral discs), and topically (onto the skin). The classic method of ozone therapy was described by Wolff in 1974. In this method, a specific amount of blood (usually 100 ml) is withdrawn and then exposed to an oxygen/ozone mixture in an ozone-resistant container for 5–10 minutes before it is reintroduced into the person (autohemoterapy). This method is called major autohemoterapy (OHT). Since then, millions of ozone autohemoterapy sessions have been performed.

Because ozone is a reactive molecule used for medical purposes, there are a few things to keep in mind: Ozone should never be administered pure, but always mixed with oxygen in a specific ratio. In this mixture, the oxygen content should not be less than 95% and the ozone content should not exceed 5%. Avoid introducing normal room air into this mixture. Ozone-resistant materials (stainless steel, neutral glass, and Teflon) should be used throughout the entire procedure.

Basic philosophy of medical ozone therapy

In our country, the treatment of diseases is based on the "Western medical orthodoxy" approach, the foundations of which were laid only in the last 50 years. This treatment approach, known as modern medicine, aims to eliminate disorders in the human body using "pharmacological molecule drugs" produced by pharmaceutical companies. Despite its success in treating certain diseases, major flaws in the philosophy of this medical method have emerged in recent years, starting in the 1980s. This medical method, which does not view the human body as a whole and treats diseases within the body only with "fish," but never teaches how to "catch fish," accepts this. However, the human body has potential that can be used to treat diseases.

For example, despite breathtaking advances in medicine and technology, the only practice recognized today for extending human lifespan is "fasting and eating little," known as "calorie restriction." No medication (antioxidant, vitamin, mineral) or healthy food (fruits, vegetables, etc.) prolongs human life. Calorie restriction is a treatment approach that activates the human body's own potential without administering drugs. The same applies to "exercise and movement." Today, exercise is more effective than medication for preventing long-term (chronic) diseases such as hypertension, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. As is easy to see, this very important and vital method also does not administer drugs to the human body, but rather utilizes its own potential. Treatment methods that utilize the human body's own healing potential are considered holistic medicine.

Ozone therapy is one such treatment method, based on the human body's two powerful potentials: antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and strengthens the body by triggering an alarm response to disease. Over the past twenty years, research has shown that ozone therapy supports the human body's own healing potential in several ways.

The body's antioxidant defense system

Life on our planet relies entirely on the presence of oxygen. We can survive for days without food and water, but without oxygen, life ends within minutes. Since our bodies cannot store oxygen like food, we must consume oxygen throughout our lives. Interestingly, although oxygen is so essential to life, it also leads to the formation of oxidizing (harmful) oxygen radicals that cause disease and aging. For this reason, scientists refer to oxygen as a "vital poison." We cannot live without oxygen, but we also need to protect ourselves from the damage caused by the radicals caused by oxygen. For this reason, our bodies have an "antioxidant" defense system that neutralizes these radicals. Ozone therapy supports this protective system by not only increasing the oxygen utilization of tissues but also helping to neutralize the resulting harmful oxygen radicals.

High-dose ozone therapy (OHT)

This is a further development of the existing ozone-oxygen infusion therapy. Dr. Lahodny, an Austrian university lecturer and specialist in gynecology and obstetrics, as well as a general practitioner, has expanded the applicability of the existing therapy through self-experimentation and massively increased its effectiveness. This therapy promotes improved capillary blood flow and the body's self-healing process, thus increasing well-being and the immune system. Circulatory disorders in particular can be treated, and rheumatic diseases, arthrosis, and painful joint diseases can be alleviated in a very short time. Scientific studies are currently underway on the strength of stem cell activation at a certain dose. The ozonides and peroxides from the ozone, in combination with the patient's own blood, are the biological active ingredient with health-promoting properties.

Ozone high-dose therapy OHT according to Dr. Lahodny

Every human body is equipped with a vast potential of stem cells, which provide the body with its own repair facility. High-dose ozone therapy activates the body's own stem cells. The actual healing is not achieved by ozone, but by the stem cells themselves. Ozone instructs all stem cells to repair diseased areas in the body. In addition to the repair process, a single OHT treatment initiates a general, immediate, and complete detoxification of unbound toxins in the body. Lahodny's OHT represents a completely new treatment option with excellent therapeutic success.

Stem cell therapy triggered by high-dose ozone therapy also achieves a significant preventative effect by initiating the healing of asymptomatic, newly developing diseases that are still unnoticed and not yet noticeable to the patient. Therefore, OHT rarely leads to the outbreak of disease, as unaware lesions are already repaired during the asymptomatic phase. OHT, performed at six-month intervals, is an excellent preventative investment in your health.

Proceed

In Lahodny's high-dose ozone therapy (OHT), up to 200 ml of blood is drawn from a vein in a closed system, mixed with ozone and oxygen, shaken, and reinfused into the patient. This procedure is repeated 10 times in the same session.

In children, patients with fragile veins and in cases of special therapeutic indications, OHT is performed instead of or even in addition to intestinal insufflation (= intestinal gassing).

indication

Preventive and for virtually every acute and chronic illness.

No success can be achieved in cases of polyneuropathy, tinnitus or sudden hearing loss that occurred more than 8 hours ago.

Contraindications

Menstruation (here OHT using intestinal insufflation is used instead).

Acute myocardial infarction, acute cerebral infarction, severe bleeding.

Pregnancy: 0th – 12th week and 4 weeks before the due date.

Thyroid diseases: Hashimoto's disease yes, but caution should be taken with hyperthyroidism and parathyroidism.

There is still uncertainty about transplants.

Side effects

The therapeutic agents used in OHT (ozone and oxygen) do not cause any side effects. However, symptoms such as internal heat, extreme fatigue as a result of the pronounced detoxification reaction, and, in very rare cases, a Herxheimer reaction may occur, especially during the first session of OHT therapy.

(The Herxheimer reaction is described, for example, in the treatment of spirochete bacteria. The massive decomposition of large quantities of bacteria after initiation of antibiotic therapy, or in this case ozone, leads to the release of bacterial endotoxin, which leads to the secretion of inflammatory mediators. This can cause high fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, nausea, and skin rashes. The symptoms usually last from a few hours to several days.)

Preliminary discussion

The following topics will be addressed in a preliminary discussion:

Question about taking medication such as blood pressure reducers, antibiotics, blood thinners (Marcoumar, Xarelto, Aspirin) etc.

Ask about illnesses such as high or low blood pressure, anemia, allergies.

Information about blood thinning with heparin during high-dose ozone therapy: To ensure that the blood can be easily drawn from the body and then mixed with ozone and reintroduced into the bloodstream without clotting, approximately 7500 IU of heparin is added to the blood at the beginning of the first run. At the end of the OHT session, you will receive a pressure bandage labeled with the dose, the name of the medication, and the date and time of the heparin administration. This bandage must be worn until 8:00 a.m. the following morning. This is a precautionary measure: if something happens to you, such as an accident or a fall, the medical staff will be informed about the blood thinning treatment being performed on you.

Preparation

Fluid intake: Drink at least 0.75 liters of fluid (water or unsweetened tea) within half an hour before your OHT session, and another 0.75 liters of fluid at least once during the session. High-dose ozone therapy will only work optimally if you have consumed enough fluids. Going to the toilet: Your bladder should be empty before starting high-dose ozone therapy.

Length of time

A high-dose ozone therapy session can last between 50 minutes and 2 hours.

Follow-up

During and for four weeks after high-dose ozone therapy, a sugar-, dairy-, and animal-product-free diet must be followed. This is the only way to ensure the toxin-free functioning of the body's own stem cells.

Number of sessions

To get the most out of the treatment, Dr. Lahodny recommends 10 consecutive sessions, one per week. For preventative measures and regular detoxification and elimination from the body, he suggests 3-5 sessions every 6 months.

Cost

A high-dose ozone therapy session costs €350. A high-dose ozone colon insufflation session costs €400.

Please also inquire with your supplementary health insurance provider: some insurers reimburse ozone therapy.

From ozone therapy to high-dose ozone therapy:

​For decades, the time-tested ozone therapy has been one of the most successful and well-tolerated natural healing methods: By combining it with blood, an oxygen-ozone mixture is created that can cure or significantly improve many illnesses and prevent disease. Blood is drawn from the patient, which is then enriched with a medical ozone-oxygen mixture. This ozonated blood is immediately reinfused. Due to the suspected risk of hemolysis (dissolution of blood), which has never been observed, this procedure was practiced internationally with great caution, with several sessions per week. However, this has changed thanks to Dr. Lahodny's self-experimentation.

Dr. Lahodny determined in his own experiments after administering excessive amounts of ozone that no blood lysis occurred and no side effects occurred, which was confirmed by ongoing laboratory blood tests. In the high-dose ozone therapy developed by Dr. Lahodny, the blood mixed with ozone can be reinfused up to 10 times or more. Before the therapy, the patient drinks up to 0.75 liters of water or tea. A blood thinner is used to maintain blood flow during the reinfusion.

With OHT, Dr. Lahodny has discovered a treatment option that can cure many diseases more effectively in just a few days and is effective in tumor therapy.