Whole Body Hyperthermia

Whole-body hyperthermia refers to heating the body to a specified core body temperature using sophisticated equipment. Scientific data and research, especially in Germany, show hyperthermia to be a highly effective medical therapy. For maximum effectiveness, hyperthermia must be performed with the highest standard of equipment in a hospital setting and in a detoxification environment. Sanoviv uses the Heckel HT3000 equipment from Germany, designed explicitly for therapeutic hyperthermia.

Whole-Body Hyperthermia for Cancer

Hyperthermia is considered a type of immunotherapy when used in cancer treatment because it stimulates the immune system to more effectively identify and fight cancer cells. Raising the core body temperature induces a fever response, stimulating the immune system to work harder.  It also helps potentiate (or increase the effectiveness of) other cancer therapies. It can help the body release toxins and other toxicants stored in the tissues, allowing detoxification pathways to eliminate them. 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 for chronic infectious diseases such as Lyme Disease and its associated co-infections. This therapy carefully raises the core body temperature to a target therapeutic temperature of 41-42 degrees Celsius (105.8 – 107.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in a carefully controlled hospital environment.  Hyperthermia at these temperatures, sometimes referred to as “extreme hyperthermia,” when combined with various supportive therapies in the Lyme Treatment Program, has been shown to reduce or eliminate symptoms in most patients, even in cases that have been chronic for years.

Hyperthermia Benefits

The potential benefits of hyperthermia include:

• The temperature itself may directly reduce or eliminate these infections. Temperatures above 105 degrees have been shown to kill bacteria such as Borrelia and many other co-infections.
• This aggressive therapy helps break down biofilms, which can shield or protect chronic infections from the effects of antibiotics and our immune system. Thus, extreme hyperthermia may render spirochetes and other bacteria more vulnerable, exposing them to the full effect of antibiotics. With this in mind, we usually administer high-dose IV antibiotics (formulated to target the patient’s specific pathogenic profile) during hyperthermia, so they can attack bacteria when they are most susceptible.
• It stimulates detoxification, helping the body release toxins that have accumulated in tissues and may contribute to the disease’s chronic nature. The body then releases these toxins using its detoxification
• An artificially induced fever signals the immune system to increase activity by searching out and destroying bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.

These effects synergize with the other supportive therapies in the Lyme Disease & Co-Infections Program to attack the disease through multiple strategies.

Preparation—Sanoviv patients spend 3-5 days testing and preparing for whole-body hyperthermia. This includes evaluation by various integrative professionals and laboratory tests. 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 in which the detoxification pathways are stimulated. Patients are also hydrated and nourished with a healing diet as a critical part of the preparation.

Most Lyme patients will have a minor surgical procedure to place a subclavian catheter, which carries IV fluids directly into a primary vein in the shoulder. This way, the patient doesn’t have to be repeatedly pricked for IVs.

Hyperthermia Treatment

On the day of treatment, the patient undergoes several phases. Below is a description of the typical treatment. Your specific treatment may vary depending on the doctor’s 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 stays with them throughout the procedure). The individual is placed in the hyperthermia chamber and connected to an IV oxygen line, a digital rectal thermometer, and other devices to monitor the patient’s vital signs during the procedure. When everything is ready, the treatment begins.
2. Heating Phase – The body is slowly heated to the target core body temperature of 41 -42 degrees Celsius. The patient is usually awake for the first 30-45 minutes before sedation is administered.  Depending on the individual, it can take 1 to 2.5 hours to reach the target temperature. 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 range.
3. Therapeutic Phase –The target core body temperature is maintained for 60-90 minutes. During this phase, patient-specific antibiotics are administered.
4. Cool Down Phase – The body temperature is slowly reduced until it returns to normal.
5. Recovery—The patient wakes from anesthesia and is transferred to a hospital recovery room, where they can continue to be monitored and have access to hydration, oxygen, or other services as needed. Companions can be with the patient during recovery. Once the patient is stable, he or she is released to return to normal program activities.

The total treatment time, including all five phases, is 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 a patient’s individual needs. 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 synergistic treatments designed to work together in a comprehensive program to fight chronic, non-responsive infections.

For more information about whole-body hyperthermia at Sanoviv, contact your admissions representative.