Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that involves breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurised chamber.
This therapy is used to treat a wide range of medical conditions, from decompression sickness in scuba divers to chronic wounds and other conditions that affect the body’s ability to heal such a arthritis and long covid.
In this article, we will explore exactly what hyperbaric oxygen therapy is, how it works, and some of its potential benefits.
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing 100% oxygen in a chamber where the air pressure is higher than normal atmospheric pressure.
This increases the amount of oxygen that is dissolved in the body’s tissues and helps to promote healing and recovery. The therapy is typically administered in a specialised chamber that can be pressurised to two or three times normal atmospheric pressure.
The use of hyperbaric chambers dates back to the early 20th century, when they were used to treat decompression sickness (the bends)in divers.
Since then, the hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been used to treat a wide range of medical conditions, including carbon monoxide poisoning, severe infections, and chronic wounds.
How does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Work?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy works by increasing the amount of oxygen that is delivered to the body’s tissues.
When a person breathes 100% oxygen in a pressurised chamber, the oxygen dissolves into the bloodstream at a much higher rate than normal. This increased oxygen concentration can help to promote healing and recovery in a number of ways.
One way that hyperbaric oxygen therapy works is by increasing the production of growth factors and stem cells in the body.
These substances help to promote the growth of new blood vessels, which can help to deliver more oxygen and nutrients to damaged tissues. This increased blood flow can help to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can also help to stimulate the body’s immune system. When the body is exposed to high levels of oxygen, it produces more white blood cells, which can help to fight off infections and other types of inflammation. This increased immune response can help to speed up the healing process and reduce the risk of complications.
What Conditions Can Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Treat?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been used to treat a wide range of medical conditions. Some of the most common conditions treated with HBOT include:
- Decompression sickness: This is a condition that can occur in scuba divers who ascend too quickly. It is caused by the formation of nitrogen bubbles in the bloodstream and can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning: Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that can cause headaches, dizziness, and other symptoms. In severe cases, it can lead to unconsciousness and even death. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help to remove carbon monoxide from the bloodstream and prevent further damage to the body’s tissues.
- Chronic wounds: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help to promote healing in chronic wounds that have not responded to other treatments. This includes wounds caused by diabetes, radiation therapy, and other conditions.
- Infections: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help to fight off infections by increasing the body’s immune response. It is often used to treat infections that have not responded to antibiotics or other treatments.
- Radiation injury: Radiation therapy can damage the body’s tissues and lead to chronic pain and other symptoms. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation in these tissues.
What are the Potential Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been shown to have a number of potential benefits for patients with a wide range of medical conditions. Some of the most notable benefits include:
- Improved healing: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help to promote healing in damaged tissues by increasing blood flow and delivering more oxygen and nutrients to the affected area. This can help to speed up the healing process and reduce the risk of complications.
- Reduced inflammation: Inflammation is a natural response to injury or infection, but it can also contribute to tissue damage and chronic pain. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help to reduce inflammation in the body by promoting the growth of new blood vessels and stimulating the immune system.
- Improved immune function: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help to stimulate the body’s immune system, which can help to fight off infections and other types of inflammation.
- Pain relief: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been shown to help reduce chronic pain in some patients. This may be due to its ability to reduce inflammation and promote healing in damaged tissues.
- Improved cognitive function: Some studies have suggested that hyperbaric oxygen therapy may help to improve cognitive function in patients with brain injuries or other neurological conditions.
- Reduced risk of complications: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help to reduce the risk of complications in patients with a wide range of medical conditions. This includes infections, chronic wounds, and radiation injury.
Don’t just take our word for it. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has been used for decades for health concerns and by some to help them live longer. Michael Jackson was no stranger to hyperbaric oxygen chambers… Although, controlled two hour sessions are recommended for this therapy!
What to Expect During Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is typically administered in a specialised chamber that can be pressurized to two or three times normal atmospheric pressure.
Patients will typically need to wear a mask or nasal tubes that delivers 100% oxygen during the treatment.
The treatment typically lasts for 2 hours, but we do also offer a 1 hour taster session. Patients may experience a popping sensation in their ears as the pressure in the chamber changes, but this is usually not painful and only lasts for around 5 minutes whilst the chamber pressurises. During this time you will be encouraged to swallow, move your jaw and yawn to dissipate the popping sensation.
After the treatment, patients may feel tired or lightheaded, but these symptoms usually subside quickly. Most patients are able to resume their normal activities immediately after the treatment.
Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Safe?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is generally considered to be safe, but it does carry some risks. These include:
- Ear injuries: The increased pressure in the chamber can cause injuries to the ears, including barotrauma and eardrum rupture. Patients may be given earplugs or other devices to help protect their ears during the treatment if it is of concern.
- Lung injuries: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can cause lung injuries in some patients, particularly those with pre-existing lung conditions.
- Oxygen toxicity: Breathing 100% oxygen for an extended period of time can lead to oxygen toxicity, which can cause seizures, vision changes, and other symptoms.
Patients with certain medical conditions, such as untreated pneumothorax or uncontrolled seizures, may not be eligible for hyperbaric oxygen therapy. It is important to discuss any medical conditions or concerns with a healthcare provider before starting treatment.
In Summary
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a medical treatment that involves breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurised chamber. It is used to treat a wide range of medical conditions, from decompression sickness in scuba divers to chronic wounds and other conditions that affect the body’s ability to heal. The therapy works by increasing the amount of oxygen that is delivered to the body’s tissues, which can help to promote healing and recovery.
While hyperbaric oxygen therapy is generally considered to be safe, it does carry some risks. Patients should discuss any medical conditions or concerns with a healthcare provider before starting treatment.
Overall, hyperbaric oxygen therapy has shown promise in treating a wide range of medical conditions and may be an effective treatment option for some patients.
Next Steps
If you’re based in the South West, Devon, Cornwall or Plymouth area and looking to start hyperbaric oxygen therapy, please get in touch with us today to feel the difference. Take a look at our full costs for more information on our sessions.