Hyperbaric therapy involves delivering pressurized oxygen to increase the availability of pure oxygen to the lungs and blood. The treatment happens in a hyperbaric chamber where the air pressure is nearly double, and pure oxygen is pumped, resulting in maximum inhalation. Increased oxygen supply can result in various benefits, and hyperbaric chambers are effective for many conditions. Here’s an overview of the top conditions hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can help with.
Table of Contents
Decompression Sickness
Divers report more than 1,000 cases of decompression illness (DCI) every year in the US. The condition occurs when a diver surfaces too fast, causing air bubbles to form and expand in the body. DCI may also include gas embolism and can become life-threatening within a few hours.
Patients with decompression sickness can receive oxygen treatment by spending time in the hyperbaric decompression chamber. The chamber restores the pressure/depth at which the diver was to reduce the volume of bubbles, allowing gradual decompression.
Sports & Crush Injuries
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can treat different sports injuries, including acute traumatic injuries, ankle sprains, and muscle contusions. HBOT also treats various joint, ligament, and tendon injuries and can help relieve crush injuries and symptoms.
Hyperbaric chambers deliver oxygen to the damaged tissues, improving natural regeneration. Increased oxygen also helps with fighting infections and reducing swelling and inflammation. HBOT is effective in healing soft-tissue injuries, which are popular in sports and crashes.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Hyperbaric treatment can benefit patients with carbon monoxide poisoning. HBOT chambers deliver pure oxygen at two to three times higher than normal atmospheric pressure. The treatment results in faster replacement of carbon monoxide with life-giving oxygen.
CO poisoning can have many side effects and requires comprehensive treatment in severe cases. Spending time in the hyperbaric chamber supplies 100% oxygen to the lungs, bloodstream, cells, and tissues. The body will immediately repair the harm caused by CO poisoning.
Acute Traumatic Ischemia
USA FDA approves HBOT for treating 13 unique conditions, one of which is acute traumatic peripheral ischemia. The condition occurs when there’s an interruption in blood supply to the extremities, like open fractures/tears near major arteries.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy delivers 100% oxygen, almost five times more than the 21% available in normal air. The atmospheric pressure is also double, maxing lung capacity and oxygen supplies to all vessels and organs in the body.
Diabetic Lower Extremity Wounds
Lower extremity wounds like foot ulcers and bruises are common among people with diabetes. Clinical studies indicate hyperbaric oxygen therapy is effective in treating such injuries. The chambers increase oxygen supply to all parts of the body, including the extremities.
The increased oxygen supply results in faster cell regeneration and wound healing.
HBOT chambers increase blood circulation to cover complex wounds and deliver pure oxygen. The therapy can aid the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers and other lower extremity wounds.
Other Approved/Unapproved Conditions
Hyperbaric treatment from trustworthy clinics can benefit many other conditions. On-label conditions include refractory Osteomyelitis, skin graft complications, severe thermal burns, severe anemia, gas gangrene, and radiation. Tissue damage, intracranial abscess patients, and unexpected sensorineural hearing loss are also treatable with HBOT.
Increasing oxygen supply has unique benefits for people with anoxic brain injury, chronic pain, and traumatic brain injury. Other unapproved uses include chronic fatigue syndrome, cerebral palsy, Crohn’s disease, Lyme disease, spinal cord injuries, and multiple sclerosis.
Reliable Hyperbaric Therapy Centers
Hyperbaric Therapy oxygen chambers work for a broad spectrum of injuries and medical conditions. Increased oxygen intake and supply can relieve migraines, headaches, necrotizing soft tissue infections, multiple sclerosis, interstitial cystitis, stroke, and more. The treatment is customized to the patient’s needs and can improve natural immunity, healing, and neurological functions.
