The IPT protocol is simple,
direct, and fast-acting. It requires no great physical skill, and uses a
minimum of equipment and just small amounts of medications. One person can
easily perform IPT for another person. And with proper guidance and a
great deal of caution, one person can perform IPT on himself. Thus
an IPT kit could be an ideal addition to the medical supplies of any expedition
or space mission.
The rapid medical treatment of
abdominal problems, which
Dr. Perez Garcia 1 reported
in the 1930s and 40s, should be of great interest to planners of long space
voyages. Mission planners have planned to include surgical instruments
and medical supplies on Mars voyages for possible emergencies. An IPT
kit might be easy and safe to use for some conditions, perhaps resulting in
faster astronaut recovery. Similarly, supplies of other drugs could either
be smaller, or last longer, through the potentiation effects of IPT. (See Digestive
pages.)
If IPT had been known and
recommended, physician Jerri Nielsen could have tried it for her suspected
breast cancer at the South Pole in 1999. She could have avoided
chemotherapy side effects, and if her cancer had responded well to IPT during
the three months she was stranded, she might have been able to avoid the
prospect of surgery when she was rescued by plane. I apologize that
IPTQ was not ready for her then. (See Breast Cancer
page.)
I have a hunch that IPT may be
found helpful for treating altitude sickness or acute mountain sickness
(AMS), especially when it develops into life-threatening cerebral and
pulmonary edema. First, there is anecdotal evidence that IPT by itself can
help reduce heart-related edema, and there are many cases of IPT helping
respiratory, circulatory, and CNS conditions. Second, by increasing cell
and membrane permeability, including in the brain and the lungs, IPT could
improve delivery of antiinflammatories and other medications to these AMS-affected
organs.
I also have a hunch that IPT may
turn out to be a good treatment for frostbite, by improving circulation and the
growth of new blood vessels, and by increasing transport of nutrients and
wastes. There is some confirmation of this idea in reports of the US
insulin study club of the 1930s, who used small amounts (typically 3 units)
of directly injected insulin near the site of the frostbite. IPT would
offer a quicker and more system-wide way to directly apply the benefits of
insulin plus additional medications.
Since insulin increases
cell membrane permeability, perhaps IPT could help transport of gases
within the body, helping people recover from rapid decompression
when returning from deep underwater dives.
IPT could be an excellent
treatment for dehydration and heatstroke. There is nothing
like insulin for making cell membranes and tissues more permeable, and for
speeding absorption of fluids and electrolytes.
Research may also show that IPT is
useful for accelerated healing of inflamed, infected, or gangrenous wounds, for
burns, and for fractures. The US insulin
study club of the 1930s found these effects for topical and locally injected
slow insulin. IPT may work faster and better, as it treats the whole
system, and can deliver drugs to control inflammation and infection.