2024-04-19 10:13:15
Many and varied are the beneficial properties attributed to ozone, with the proponents of ozone therapy preaching that it offers solutions to various ailments that afflict patients, even relieving pain. Orthopedic and rheumatological problems, such as sciatica, neck pain and osteoarthritis rank high on the list of ailments that ozone promises to cure. The substance is injected into the problem areas, for example the knees or hips, with the promise of delaying or even canceling (?) a surgery.
However, the therapeutic properties of ozone do not stop here, according to the doctors who apply the respective treatments. Headaches, migraines and tension headaches can be treated with injections into the neck muscles. It also appears to offer hope in venous problems, such as varicose veins and arterial insufficiency. “Ozone therapy is indicated for circulatory diseases, immune deficiency, but also for systemic neurological diseases,” notes Dr. Emmanuel Iliakis, orthopedic surgeon and president of the Hellenic Scientific Society of Oxygen-Ozone Therapy, and adds: “Autotransfusion is of interest in geriatrics for the improving the quality of life of the elderly”. Autotransfusion is considered, by the doctors who apply it, to improve blood circulation and restore the functionality of the vessels. During autotransfusion, the patient’s blood is taken, enriched with ozone, with the help of a special machine, and then the ozonized blood is re-administered to the patient.
Ozone therapy is additionally applied to relieve patients with autoimmune diseases, such as psoriatic arthritis, but also to treat intestinal diseases, such as colitis, while it can also help in the treatment of ulcers, according to Dr. Iliakis. An ozone therapy cycle is usually completed in 10-12 sessions, with a frequency of once or twice a week, and the cost per session ranges from 80 to 120 euros.
In addition, ozone promises well-being and in “collaboration” with water, since ozonated water has disinfecting properties. As argued by Dr. Iliac, it is also indicated for fungal infections of the skin and acne, as well as for mouth washes in cases of periodontitis or canker sores. Special water ozonation devices are sold at prices starting from 60 euros, if the purchase is made online, and reach 150 euros in the trade
“Consumers should be cautious”
The “hype” that has been created around ozone and its healing properties has alerted the General Secretariat of Consumer Affairs, which receives many questions and complaints from consumers about the action of ozone every day. In fact, the extensive advertising of ozone devices and ozone therapy activated the General Secretariat of Consumer Affairs, which, addressing the Ministry of Health, asked to clarify whether the characterizations attributed to ozone and spread through advertising are correct or not. “As we have neither the expertise nor the authority to scientifically evaluate these claims, we have requested the assistance of the relevant agencies to be able to judge whether this is misleading advertising or not.
In the event that it turns out that there really is no scientific basis for what is circulating, then we are talking about unfair commercial practices that attract very serious fines”, says the general secretary of Consumer Affairs Dimitris Spyrakos. “However, beyond the issue of fines, our intervention also aims to wake up consumers, so that they do not buy these devices uncritically, to be more cautious about what they hear and to consult their doctor. In any case, we are waiting for the relevant opinion from the Central Health Council (KESY) so that we can act accordingly” notes Mr. Spyrakos.
Chrysanthi Lampropoulou
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THE DOCTORS TURN THEIR BACK
“They are playing with patients’ lives, put an end to the hope trade”
The therapeutic properties of ozone therapy are viewed with great skepticism by the majority of the country’s medical community, as there are no clinical studies to prove that ozone is a “cure-all”, as is implied by the advertisements that are being broadcast at such a rapid pace these days. .
That is why the doctors welcomed with satisfaction the move of the General Secretariat of Consumer Affairs, which requested from the competent bodies of the Ministry of Health the scientific documentation or not of the claims about the therapeutic properties of ozone and in fact the relevant opinion is expected from the Central Health Council (YOU TOO).
As noted by the General Secretary of Consumer Affairs D. Spyrakos, if it turns out that ozone is ultimately a fraud, then severe fines will be imposed for misleading the consumer.
The “democracy” contacted more than ten doctors, in public and private hospitals, of various specialties, who just hearing the word “ozone therapy” did not even want to mention the subject! Today we present three of those who agreed to express their opinion publicly. It is worth emphasizing that all three scientists agree that this is a scam whose sole aim is to exploit the hope of patients who are desperately looking for a solution to their problem.
According to Mr. Christos Zoupa, director of the Pathological and Diabetic Clinic of the Hygeia hospital, if ozone did everything it promises in the advertisements, then all diseases would be cured: “This is an absurdity we live in. Because some people are advertising that it cures ulcers (sores) mainly caused by diabetes on the feet, I have patients running like crazy and buying these ozonation devices, and some even stop the treatment we do, so they come to bad situation. It is not possible for them to sell whatever they want uncontrollably and play with patients’ lives, without a scientific documentation.”
According to Mr. Zoupa, there are some paramedical specialties, such as homeopathy, herbal medicine, etc., that stand the test of time, so they will be useful somewhere. “But as far as ozone is concerned, they promote it as a cure for every disease. If it were so, then all ailments would be cured. These are ridiculous things and I welcome the initiative of G.G. Consumers and KESY who are finally taking it upon themselves to put things in their place” concludes Mr. Zoupas.
On the same wavelength and specialist pathologist Dr. Ilias Pelekanos: “There is no official scientific documentation that proves that it heals and relieves. They advertise that ozone therapy treats serious diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and diseases of the nervous and gastrointestinal systems. That’s why patients ask me all the time. Many of them have bought these devices, but without seeing an improvement”.
Pulmonologist Nearchos Giatromanolakis, head of the tuberculosis working group of the Hellenic Pulmonology Society, gives another perspective: “I have been hearing about this issue for many years and have personally researched it. But I haven’t found any documented research that proves it helps. So it was time for KESY to intervene and put an end to the hope trade. For those who say they have seen improvement, what I have to say is that we must not forget the element of self-submission. We often see this in clinical studies, where we divide 100 people and give them the experimental drug and 100 others who give a placebo (dummy). So there are always some from the second group who claim they feel better”…
Rita Mela
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