Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: What is it and what are its benefits?

Hyperbaric chamber

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is the administration of 100% oxygen at an ambient pressure higher than atmospheric pressure (1 ATM) and is carried out in a special state-of-the-art chambers called Hyperbaric Oxygen Chambers.

With this treatment, up to 20 times more oxygen is dissolved in the blood and can be transferred to areas with affected oxygenation – perfusion, either due to “obstacles” such as e.g. edema, or due to vascular problems, e.g. due to blockage or destruction.

HBOT optimizes the effect of the treatment, limiting the extent of the damage and accelerating healing.

What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is the medical use of oxygen in a high-pressure oxygen therapy chamber at a level higher than 1 atmospheric absolute (ATA). The elevated pressure allows oxygen to diffuse and saturate more efficiently in the blood system, primarily in the plasma (independent of hemoglobin), which yields a wide variety of positive physiological, biochemical and cellular effects.

HBOT is the most reliable non-invasive therapy for increasing oxygen levels in all organs.

– A two-minute video explaining in brief what HBOT is.

How does hyperbaric oxygen therapy work?

The tissues of the body need an adequate supply of oxygen to function. When tissue is injured, it requires even more oxygen to survive.

In the oxygen therapy chamber, air pressure is increased up to three times higher than normal air pressure. Under these conditions, the lungs can concentrate more oxygen than it would be possible to breathe pure oxygen at normal air pressure. The blood carries this oxygen throughout your body.

This helps fight bacteria and stimulate the release of substances called growth factors and stem cells, which promote healing.

HBOT is particularly useful for oxygenating and rejuvenating areas that have been damaged due to tissue damage from lack of oxygen.

KEY TAKEAWAY
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases the amount of oxygen the blood can carry. Increasing oxygen in the blood temporarily restores normal blood gas levels and tissue function to promote healing and fight infection.

What does hyperbaric oxygen therapy treat?

  • Diabetic foot
  • Allergies
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Arthritis
  • Autism
  • Bell’s palsy
  • Brain damage
  • Cancer
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Cirrhosis
  • Depression
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Gastrointestinal ulcers
  • Hepatitis
  • Migraine
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Sports injuries
  • Injuries
  • Bone edema

Benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy

  • Wound healing
  • Reduces tissue hypoxia
  • Reduce infection
  • Increases oxygenation in body tissues
  • Increase blood flow and circulation
  • Boost the number of white blood cells
  • Improve the effectiveness of antibiotics
  • Reduce swelling and pain

You may want to check this article we wrote a few days ago, on the 14 benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy that are scientifically proven.

Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Safe?

HBOT is very safe, especially when applied at lower pressures and according to proper instructions. Oxygen toxicity and adverse effects are rare and are more relevant to clinical applications in a hospital setting where patients receive very high dosages due to acute and life-threatening conditions.

What is an Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber?

An oxygen therapy chamber is the device used to provide concentrated oxygen to a person’s body. By doing this, the person’s body can better absorb and use the oxygen that is being provided.

– A soft-shelled Hyperbaric Chamber for Home Use from Oxygen Health Systems.

An oxygen therapy chamber is the device used to provide concentrated oxygen to a person’s body. There are different types of chambers, and each has its own unique features. 

The most common type of chamber is the hyperbaric oxygen chamber, which uses high-pressure oxygen to help treat various medical conditions. 

There are hyperbaric chambers suitable for home use or professional use as well as chambers that allow you to lay, sit or host multiple people in a single chamber.

You may want to check this article on the best hyperbaric chambers for home use. It features some of the best hyperbaric chambers that exist in the market as we speak.

How many HBOT treatments are required?

The number of hyperbaric oxygen sessions you will need depends on the condition you are dealing with. You will generally require 10 to 40 treatments.

You can add Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to your daily or weekly routine as well in order to keep your body healthy, rejuvenated and youthful.

How long is each session?

A session usually ranges from 60-90 minutes or as directed by the attending doctor.

Final Take

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a treatment that involves breathing 100% pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. This type of therapy has been used for many years to treat medical conditions such as decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning, and gas gangrene. More recently, HBOT has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of certain types of wounds and infections.

HBOT works by increasing the amount of oxygen in the blood, which helps to fight infection and promote healing. The high concentration of oxygen also helps to reduce inflammation and pain.

HBOT is generally safe, but there are some risks involved. These risks are usually related to the higher than normal pressurized environment of the chamber and include ear pain, sinus pain, and headaches. In rare cases, more serious side effects such as lung collapse or burst eardrums can occur.

Most people who undergo HBOT will require multiple treatments. The number of treatments required will depend on the condition being treated. Each treatment session typically lasts between one and two hours.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a safe and effective treatment for many medical conditions. It is important to talk to your doctor to see if HBOT is right for you.


Want to learn more on Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy? Check our HBOT resource page.

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