Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, or HBOT, is a type of treatment used to speed up healing of carbon monoxide poisoning, gangrene, stubborn wounds, and infections in which tissues are starved for oxygen.
If you undergo this therapy, you will enter a special chamber to breathe in pure oxygen in air pressure levels 1.5 to3 times higher than average. The goal is to fill the blood with enough oxygen to repair tissues and restore normal body function.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was first used in the U.S. in the early 20th century. This was when Orville Cunningham used pure oxygen to successfully treat someone dying from the flu. He developed a hyperbaric chamber, but dismantled it after his use of the therapy for other conditions failed.
The therapy was tried again in the 1940s when the U.S. Navy used hyperbaric oxygen to treat deep-sea divers who had decompression sickness. By the 1960s, the therapy was also used to combat carbon monoxide poisoning.
Today, it's still used to treat sick scuba divers and people suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, including firefighters and miners. It has also been approved for more than a dozen conditions ranging from burns to bone disease:
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Cyanide poisoning
Crush injuries
Gas gangrene (a form of gangrene in which gas collects in tissues)
Decompression sickness
Acute or traumatic inadequate blood flow in the arteries
Compromised skingrafts and flaps
Infection in a bone (osteomyelitis)
Delayed radiation injury
Flesh-eating disease (also called necrotizing soft tissue infection)
Air or gas bubble trapped in a blood vessel (air or gas embolism)
Chronic infection called actinomycosis
Diabetic wounds that are not healing properly
Medicare, Medicaid, and many insurance companies generally cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy for these conditions, but may not do so in every circumstance. Check with your insurance plan before treatment.
HBOT helps wound healing by bringing oxygen-rich plasma to tissue starved for oxygen. Wound injuries damage the body's blood vessels, which release fluid that leaks into the tissues and causes swelling. This swelling deprives the damaged cells of oxygen, and tissue starts to die. HBOT reduces swelling while flooding the tissues with oxygen. The elevated pressure in the chamber increases in the amount of oxygen in the blood. HBOT aims to break the cycle of swelling, oxygen starvation, and tissue death.
HBOT prevents "reperfusion injury." That's the severe tissue damage that happens when the blood supply returns to the tissues after they have been deprived of oxygen. When blood flow is interrupted by a crush injury, for instance, a series of events inside the damaged cells leads to the release of harmful oxygen radicals. These molecules can do damage to tissues that can't be reversed and cause the blood vessels to clamp up and stop blood flow. HBOT encourages the body's oxygen radical scavengers to seek out the problem molecules and allow healing to continue.
HBOT helps block the action of harmful bacteria and strengthens the body's immune system. HBOT can disable the toxins of certain bacteria. It also increases oxygen concentration in the tissues. This helps them resist infection. In addition, the therapy improves the ability of white blood cells to find and destroy invaders.
HBOT encourages the formation of new collagen (connective tissue) and new skin cells. It does so by encouraging new blood vessel formation. It also stimulates cells to produce certain substances, like vascular endothelial growth factor. These attract and stimulate endothelial cells necessary for healing.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy uses 2 types of chambers:
Monoplace chamber. This is a chamber built for one person. It's a long, plastic tube that resembles an MRI machine. The patient slips into the chamber. It is slowly pressurized with 100% oxygen.
Multiplace chamber. This chamber, or room, can fit two or more people at once. The treatment is largely the same. The difference is that people breathe pure oxygen through masks or hoods.
Only a healthcare provider should prescribe hyperbaric oxygen therapy. A number of hospitals offer hyperbaric oxygen chambers. People relax, sit, or lie comfortably in these chambers and take deep breaths in sessions that last up to 2 hours.
Your ears may feel plugged as the pressure is raised, like when you're in an airplane or the mountains. Simple swallowing or chewing gum will "pop" the ears back to normal hearing levels.
Your blood carries the extra oxygen throughout the body, infusing the injured tissues that need more oxygen so they can begin healing. When a session is complete, you may feel lightheaded. Mild side effects include claustrophobia, fatigue, and headaches.
Several sessions may be needed, so check beforehand to see whether your insurance company, Medicaid, or Medicare covers the cost.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is not for everyone. It should not be used by people who havehadarecent ear surgery or ear trauma, a cold or fever, or certain types of lung disease.
The most common complication after HBOT is trauma to the middle ear. Other possible complications are eye damage and sinus problems. In rare, severe cases, a person can get oxygen poisoning. This can lead to seizures, fluid in the lungs,lung failure, or other problems. Considering the possible risks and benefits, the decision to use hyperbaric oxygen therapy must be carefully made after a detailed discussion with your healthcare provider.
The rest is here:
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy | Johns Hopkins Medicine
- Hyperbaric Medicine - Lourdes Health System - May 30th, 2018 [May 30th, 2018]
- Hyperbaric Medicine - westchestermedicalcenter.com - June 6th, 2018 [June 6th, 2018]
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy - Wound Care - New York City - Bronx - June 14th, 2018 [June 14th, 2018]
- Hyperbaric Medicine - umms.org - June 18th, 2018 [June 18th, 2018]
- Center for Hyperbaric Medicine | Virginia Mason, Seattle, WA - June 21st, 2018 [June 21st, 2018]
- Hyperbaric Medicine | Emergency Medicine | University of ... - July 1st, 2018 [July 1st, 2018]
- Hyperbaric Medicine - St. Mary Medical Center, Langhorne PA - July 14th, 2018 [July 14th, 2018]
- Leadership American College of Hyperbaric Medicine - July 14th, 2018 [July 14th, 2018]
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy - Montefiore Medical Center - July 24th, 2018 [July 24th, 2018]
- Center for Hyperbaric Medicine - R Adams Cowley Shock ... - July 24th, 2018 [July 24th, 2018]
- Beverly Hills Center For HyperBaric Medicine - August 2nd, 2018 [August 2nd, 2018]
- Wound Care, Hyperbaric Medicine & Amputation Prevention ... - August 6th, 2018 [August 6th, 2018]
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy HBOT A proven alternative medicine - August 27th, 2018 [August 27th, 2018]
- Services | Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine - September 20th, 2018 [September 20th, 2018]
- Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine at NYU Winthrop Hospital - October 2nd, 2018 [October 2nd, 2018]
- Home - St. Anthony's Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine - October 5th, 2018 [October 5th, 2018]
- Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine | NYU Winthrop Hospital - November 14th, 2018 [November 14th, 2018]
- www.winthrop.org - December 16th, 2018 [December 16th, 2018]
- Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine American Board of ... - December 20th, 2018 [December 20th, 2018]
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Unit | Mather Hospital - December 21st, 2018 [December 21st, 2018]
- Hyperbaric Medicine: Principles & Practice, 2nd Edition ... - December 22nd, 2018 [December 22nd, 2018]
- Hyperbaric medicine - Wikipedia - December 22nd, 2018 [December 22nd, 2018]
- Hyperbaric Medicine | University of Maryland Medical Center - December 23rd, 2018 [December 23rd, 2018]
- FAQ or Frequently Asked Questions about HBOT and ... - December 23rd, 2018 [December 23rd, 2018]
- VHMS - Veterinary Hyperbaric Medicine Society - January 1st, 2019 [January 1st, 2019]
- Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine - umms.org - January 1st, 2019 [January 1st, 2019]
- Advanced Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine Center at ... - February 10th, 2019 [February 10th, 2019]
- EUBS 2019 HYPERBARIC MEDICINE & THE BRAIN - February 26th, 2019 [February 26th, 2019]
- HYOX | Atlanta Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy - March 7th, 2019 [March 7th, 2019]
- Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine - Crozer-Keystone ... - March 7th, 2019 [March 7th, 2019]
- Hyperbaric Medicine | Jackson Health System - March 30th, 2019 [March 30th, 2019]
- Hyperbaric Medicine | South Miami Hospital - April 12th, 2019 [April 12th, 2019]
- Hyperbaric Medicine - Community Hospital of the Monterey ... - April 12th, 2019 [April 12th, 2019]
- Wound & Hyperbaric Medicine - AnMed Health - May 13th, 2019 [May 13th, 2019]
- HBOT 2019 Hyperbaric Medicine Symposium - September 11th, 2019 [September 11th, 2019]
- Alternative Cancer Treatment Market Sustains Competitiveness by Adoption of Technological Innovations - Herald Space - September 19th, 2019 [September 19th, 2019]
- Piedmont Newton Hospital Auxiliary to host 29th annual Bill Taylor Classic Golf Tournament - Covington News - September 19th, 2019 [September 19th, 2019]
- SANUWAVE to Attend a Total of Eight Medical Conferences in the Fourth Quarter of 2019 Supported by Symposiums, Posters, and KOLs - GlobeNewswire - September 19th, 2019 [September 19th, 2019]
- Things to Do in Pasco and Hernando counties starting Sept. 20 - Tampa Bay Times - September 19th, 2019 [September 19th, 2019]
- Best Of Bucks 2019: Your health is the mission of St. Mary Hospital - Echo Pilot - September 19th, 2019 [September 19th, 2019]
- Nine years after traumatic brain injury, parents of Landon Hochstetler still hope that he can get better - Detroit Lakes Tribune - October 6th, 2019 [October 6th, 2019]
- Mirabelle chef and Beaver Creek resident to participate in charity event - Vail Daily News - October 6th, 2019 [October 6th, 2019]
- Can Hyperbaric Therapy Be Used to Treat Chronic Wounds? - Patch.com - October 6th, 2019 [October 6th, 2019]
- Effects of Exposure to Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen on DSS-Induced Colonic I | JIR - Dove Medical Press - October 31st, 2019 [October 31st, 2019]
- Greenwich celebrates with donations, services and more - CT Insider - October 31st, 2019 [October 31st, 2019]
- From patient to doctor: How Tyler Sexton overcame adversity - The Oracle - October 31st, 2019 [October 31st, 2019]
- Saint Peter's University Hospital is the First & Only Hospital in New Jersey to Be Recognized as an Age-Friendly Health System - TAPinto.net - November 19th, 2019 [November 19th, 2019]
- Oxygen Therapy Device Market 2019: Global Industry Share, Size, Share, Demand, Key Findings, Regional Analysis, Key Players Profiles, Future Prospects... - November 22nd, 2019 [November 22nd, 2019]
- Remedy Place Joins a Growing Trend of Health- and Wellbeing-Focused Social Clubs - Fashionista - November 22nd, 2019 [November 22nd, 2019]
- The Study Of Anesthesiology And Tips From Dr. Halim - Yahoo Finance - December 11th, 2019 [December 11th, 2019]
- Parasitic (Helminthic) Infection While on Asthma Biologic Treatment: N | JAA - Dove Medical Press - December 11th, 2019 [December 11th, 2019]
- Scottsdale nonprofit flies 3-year-old with life-threatening brain injury to New Orleans for treatment - 12news.com KPNX - December 11th, 2019 [December 11th, 2019]
- Off with their heads? Theres life but not as we know it, says RICHARD MADELEY - Express.co.uk - December 31st, 2019 [December 31st, 2019]
- 13th CD candidate Ronny Jackson, Trump's former doc, speaking to veterans Saturday in WF - Times Record News - December 31st, 2019 [December 31st, 2019]
- From Oxygen Therapy For Brain Damage To Life-Saving Search-And-Rescue Tech - Our Most Read Stories 2011-2019 | Technology News - NoCamels - Israeli... - December 31st, 2019 [December 31st, 2019]
- Mercy Health-Lorain's oxygen therapy offering more options to patients - The Morning Journal - January 12th, 2020 [January 12th, 2020]
- 5 Stretches That Benefit the Lymphatic System and Why It Matters - POPSUGAR - January 18th, 2020 [January 18th, 2020]
- Wound Care Advantage Launches FlightPlan 2.0, the Next Generation of its Innovative Wound Care Referral Platform - PRNewswire - January 18th, 2020 [January 18th, 2020]
- HBOT Protocols to Improve Cardiac Function in Healthy Aging Heart Population - Cardiology2.0 - February 3rd, 2020 [February 3rd, 2020]
- CutisCare Announces Two Distinguished Members in the Wound-Healing Community, Dr. Juan Bravo and Dr. Louis Pilati, to Join New CutisCare Medical... - February 3rd, 2020 [February 3rd, 2020]
- Saratoga Hospital names medical director of new wound healing program - The Saratogian - February 3rd, 2020 [February 3rd, 2020]
- For First Time, Data Demonstrates Promise of Regenerative Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) Protocols to Improve Cardiac Function in Healthy Aging... - February 3rd, 2020 [February 3rd, 2020]
- CEO of HVM Travels to Australia for First Veterinary Hyperbaric Chamber Installation and Looks to Help Animals Caught in Wildfires - PRNewswire - February 8th, 2020 [February 8th, 2020]
- Justin Bieber Uses Hyperbaric Chambers and Infusions to Stay Sober From Weed, Lean, and Pills: Does It Really Work? - Showbiz Cheat Sheet - February 8th, 2020 [February 8th, 2020]
- Aging Technology and Innovation to Take Center Stage at Synapse Summit 2020 - PRNewswire - February 8th, 2020 [February 8th, 2020]
- The Controversial Therapist Shaping Dr. Phil - Hollywood Reporter - February 29th, 2020 [February 29th, 2020]
- Bioxytran Positioned to Detect and Treat Stroke and Neuropathologies - Yahoo Finance - February 29th, 2020 [February 29th, 2020]
- Study Shows Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) Protocols Can Improve Cognitive Function in Stroke Patients - BioSpace - February 29th, 2020 [February 29th, 2020]
- The Winners of D Magazine's Excellence in Nursing Awards 2020 - D Magazine - March 9th, 2020 [March 9th, 2020]
- Adherence to a Health Literacy and Healthy Lifestyle with Improved Blo | PPA - Dove Medical Press - March 9th, 2020 [March 9th, 2020]
- Garrett, Seiss named Jackson Hospital Employees of the Year - Dothan Eagle - March 9th, 2020 [March 9th, 2020]
- 'COVID-19 Had Us All Fooled, but Now We Might Have Finally Found... - Truth or Fiction - April 10th, 2020 [April 10th, 2020]
- Is this treatment keeping the rich and famous with COVID-19 off a ventilator? - Elemental - April 17th, 2020 [April 17th, 2020]
- Dr. Paul G. Harch Seeks to Examine the Effectiveness of Hyperbaric Treatment on COVID-19 Symptoms - FOX 15 - April 17th, 2020 [April 17th, 2020]
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: Benefits, controversy, and risks - April 17th, 2020 [April 17th, 2020]
- Sermo Reports: 50% of Highly Experienced COVID Treaters Believe COVID-19 Is More of an Oxygen Failure Disease vs. a Respiratory Disease Leading to... - May 6th, 2020 [May 6th, 2020]
- Applying wisdom from the Himalayas to the ERs COVID battle - ScienceBlog.com - May 12th, 2020 [May 12th, 2020]
- Local Wound Care Center(R) participates in seventh annual Healogics Wound Awareness Week - Canton Daily Ledger - May 12th, 2020 [May 12th, 2020]
- The girl who died twice: How doctors saved a 12-year-old whose heart stopped for 45 minutes - nj.com - May 21st, 2020 [May 21st, 2020]
- Eytan Shander: If Eagles can't get Andre Dillard right, how can we trust them on Jalen Hurts? - PhillyVoice.com - May 21st, 2020 [May 21st, 2020]