Ozone [electronic resource] : A New Medical Drug / by Velio Bocci.

Physical-Chemical Properties of Ozone. Natural Production of Ozone. The Toxicology of Ozone -- How Ozone is Generated and its Concentrations Measured? -- Preparation of Ozonated Water and Oil for the Topical Therapy. Ozone as a Drinking Water Disinfectant. Ozone Disinfection to Prevent Nosocomial Infections -- How Does Ozone Act? How and Why Can We Avoid Ozone Toxicity? -- How is Ozone Administered? -- The Actual Six Therapeutic Modalities -- The Potential Toxicity of Ozone. Side Effects and Contraindications of Ozonetherapy -- Is Ozone Really a "Wonder Drug"? -- The Clinical Application of Ozonetherapy -- The Dilemma Between Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HOT) and Ozone Therapy -- The Promising Future of Ozone Therapy in Medicine.

Oxygen-ozone therapy is a complementary approach less known than homeopathy and acupuncture because it has come of age only three decades ago. This book clarifies that, in the often nebulous field of natural medicine, the biological bases of ozone therapy are totally in line with classic biochemical, physiological and pharmacological knowledge. Ozone is an oxidising molecule, a sort of superactive oxygen, which, by reacting with blood components, generates a number of chemical messengers responsible for activating crucial biological functions such as oxygen delivery, immune activation, release of hormones and induction of antioxidant enzymes, which is an exceptional property for correcting the chronic oxidative stress present in atherosclerosis, diabetes, infections and cancer. Moreover ozone therapy, by inducing nitric oxide synthase, may mobilize endogenous stem cells, which will promote regeneration of ischaemic tissues. The description of these phenomena offers the first comprehensive picture for understanding how ozone works and why, when properly used as a real drug within the therapeutic range, not only does not procure adverse effects but yields a feeling of wellness. Half of the book describes the value of ozone therapy in several diseases, particularly cutaneous infections and vascular diseases where ozone really behaves as a "wonder" drug. The book has been written for clinical researchers, physicians and ozonetherapists but also for the layman or the patient interested in this therapy.