Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurised environment, typically inside a hyperbaric therapy chamber. The increased pressure causes the oxygen to dissolve into the blood, which can help to increase the amount of oxygen in the body’s tissues.

HBOT is used to treat a variety of medical conditions, including:

• Decompression sickness (DCS) and other conditions related to diving
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Wounds that are slow to heal due to diabetes or radiation injury
• Crush injuries
• Certain skin grafts and flaps
• Osteomyelitis (a bone infection)
• Gangrene
• Certain types of anemia
• Burns

HBOT works by increasing the amount of oxygen in the blood, which can help to improve the healing of damaged tissue, reduce inflammation, and fight off infection. The increased oxygen levels can also help to stimulate the growth of new blood vessels in the affected area, which can help to improve blood flow and promote healing.

During a typical HBOT session, a patient will sit or lie down inside the hyperbaric chamber and breathe pure oxygen through a mask or hood. The pressure inside the chamber will be gradually increased to the prescribed level, and the patient will typically remain in the chamber for a period of time ranging from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

It’s important to note that Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy should only be administered by trained and licensed professionals, and it should not be used as a substitute for standard medical treatments, but rather as a complementary therapy.

During HBOT, you enter a chamber where the atmospheric pressure is increased. This pressure change allows your body to absorb higher levels of oxygen, which promotes healing, reduces inflammation, and stimulates the growth of new blood vessels. To put it in perspective, let’s look at the oxygen units calculation:

Breathing normal atmospheric air (21% oxygen) at a pressure of 1 ATA (atmosphere absolute) for an entire day (1440 minutes) would result in the uptake of 12 units of oxygen per hour.
Now, consider HBOT at 1.5 ATA for just one hour. In this scenario, you would receive a whopping 85 units of oxygen, which is 7 times the amount you would uptake in a normal day, all within a single hour. This illustrates the significant enhancement of oxygen delivery achieved through HBOT.

HBOT is known to benefit a wide range of conditions, including wound healing, radiation injuries, chronic infections, diabetic ulcers, carbon monoxide poisoning, decompression sickness, and more. It can also aid recovery after surgery and improve symptoms related to certain neurological and autoimmune disorders.

A standard HBOT session lasts about 60 to 90 minutes. The duration and frequency of sessions may vary based on the specific condition being treated and the treatment plan recommended by your healthcare provider.

Side effects of HBOT are generally mild and temporary. These may include ear discomfort or popping, changes in vision, and sinus discomfort. These side effects usually resolve after the session ends.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment, typically inside a hyperbaric therapy chamber. The increased pressure causes the oxygen to dissolve into the blood, which can help to increase the amount of oxygen in the body’s tissues.

There is ongoing research into the potential benefits of HBOT for cancer patients. Studies have suggested that HBOT may help to improve the effectiveness of certain cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

One of the ways that HBOT may help with cancer treatment is by increasing the oxygen levels in the tumor. Tumors typically have a poor blood supply, which can make them resistant to treatments that rely on oxygen to work, such as radiation therapy. By increasing the oxygen levels in the tumor, HBOT may help to make the tumor more sensitive to these treatments.

Additionally, HBOT has been known to have anti-inflammatory effects and helps to boost the immune system, which may help to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.

It’s important to note that there is still ongoing research on the benefits of HBOT for cancer patients, and more studies are needed to confirm the results and to determine the most effective ways to use HBOT in cancer treatment. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy should not be used as a substitute for standard cancer treatments, but rather as a complementary therapy. It’s always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional or a hyperbaric expert before starting any hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that involves breathing in 100% oxygen at a pressure higher than normal atmospheric pressure. Although HBOT is generally safe, it may not be appropriate for certain individuals due to certain contraindications. Some of the contraindications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy include:

1. Pneumothorax: Individuals with an active pneumothorax, or collapsed lung, should not undergo HBOT as it can cause the lung to expand further and cause additional damage.
2. Decompression sickness: Individuals who have recently experienced decompression sickness, a condition caused by ascending too quickly from depths in scuba diving, should not undergo HBOT.
3. Recent surgery: Individuals who have recently undergone surgery, especially on the ears, face, or eyes, should not undergo HBOT until the surgical wound has fully healed.
4. Severe lung disease: Individuals with severe lung disease such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or asthma should not undergo HBOT.
5. Recent head injury: Individuals who have recently suffered a head injury or have an open wound on the head should not undergo HBOT.
6. Seizures: Individuals with a history of seizures should not undergo HBOT as the increased pressure may trigger a seizure.
7. Certain medications: Individuals who are taking certain medications such as nitrates, retinoids, or certain antidepressants should not undergo HBOT as these medications can have dangerous interactions with the high oxygen levels.
8. Pregnancy: Pregnant women are usually not recommended for Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy