 What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment in which a person is exposed to increased atmospheric pressure inside an inflatable chamber. The typical pressure reaches between 1.1 and 1.5 atmospheres, which can also be expressed as 3 to 6 pounds per square inch. The increase in pressure allows more oxygen to reach the cells of the body which has many healing and therapeutic benefits.
How does HBOT work?
The hyperbaric chamber is filled with compressed ambient air from 3-6 pounds per square inch. The increased pressure allows the blood plasma and other liquids of the body to absorb this additional oxygen thus increasing oxygen uptake by the cells, tissues, glands, organs, brain, and fluids of the body. Since 90% of energy in the body comes from oxygen, hyperbaric therapy can lead to enhanced energy and well being.
HBOT can be used to treat the following conditions:
- ADD
- ADHD
- ALLERGIES
- ALTITUDE SICKNESS
- ASTHMA
- AUTISM
- AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE
- BACTERIA INFECTIONS
- BOOST IMMUNE FUNCTION
- BRAIN INJURY
- CEREBRAL PALSY
- CHRONIC FATIGUE
- CIRCULATION
- DIABETIC COMPLICATION
- DIGESTIVE DISORDERS
- DISC HERNIATION
- DIZZINESS
- FIBROMYALGIA
- HYPOXIA
- LYME DISEASE
- MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
- MUSCLE/TENDON PAIN
- NON-HEALING WOUNDS
- POLLUTION
- PREMATURE AGING
- RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
- SLEEP DISORDERS
- STRESS/ANXIETY
- STROKE
- SURGICAL RECOVERY
- VIRAL INFECTIONS
What is the Mechanical Effect of Increased Pressure?
Any free gas trapped in the body will decrease in volume as pressure exerted on it increases (Boyle's Law). Reduction in bubble size may allow it to pass through the circulation, or at least travel into a smaller vessel which will reduce the size of any resulting infraction. This effect is useful in the management of gas embolism and decompression sickness.
Flooding the body with oxygen forces the rapid elimination of other gases, thus reducing damage caused by toxic gases such as carbon monoxide. The elevated pressure used during hyperbaric oxygen therapy further accelerates the elimination process.
Hyperbaric oxygen physically dissolves extra oxygen into the plasma. The quantity of oxygen carried and transferred to ischemic tissue by the blood is increased. Relieving the ischemia with this increased oxygenation promotes osteoclastic and osteoblastic activity, collagen matrix formation and the breakdown of many toxins.
What does it feel like?
Once a patient is in the chamber and the door is closed, the oxygen begins to circulate. This starts a gradual increase in pressure—called compression. The HBOT technician remains by the chamber throughout the treatment to adjust the rate of compression according to patient tolerance and to coach the patient on relieving the “full” sensation in the ears. Compression generally lasts 10-15 minutes.
When the interior of the chamber reaches the prescribed pressure, the sensation of “fullness” in the ears will cease and the patient is free to rest or sleep. The temperature in the chamber remains at room temperature.
Near to the end of the treatment, the HBO technician will gradually decrease pressure that was added at the beginning. This is decompression, which generally lasts 10 to 15 minutes. During decompression, there may be a slight “popping” sensation in the ears as a result of the changing (decreasing) pressure. This “popping” is a normal adjustment, similar to what happens when driving up a mountain or ascending in an airplane. It is usually much easier to equalize ear pressure during decompression than during the compression phase.
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