Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a treatment that involves the administration of near-pure oxygen at increased atmospheric pressure in a full body chamber.
Historically HBOT has been known to treat decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning and wound healing.
In recent years, however, medical research has indicated that HBOT could be a promising therapy for many more health conditions. As such, HBOT has gained popularity as an alternative therapy for a wide range of physical and cognitive medical conditions, and also for maintaining general health and wellbeing.
Let’s have a deeper look at hyperbaric oxygen therapy, including its uses, benefits, risks, and the procedure itself.
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing near-pure oxygen in a pressurised environment. During the therapy, the person is placed in a chamber that is pressurised to a level higher than the normal atmospheric pressure, which is 1 ATA (Atmosphere Absolute). For maximum effectiveness the pressure in the hyperbaric chamber typically ranges from 2 to 3 ATA. At HybO2 House a minimum pressure of 2 ATA is applied in all chambers and is tailored to each individual’s specific needs.
During the therapy, the client is placed inside the chamber, and the pressure is slowly increased to the prescribed level. The client then breathes in near-pure oxygen through a mask. One procedure usually lasts between 60 and 90 minutes.
This increased pressure helps the body absorb more oxygen than it would under normal conditions, which can promote healing and tissue repair.
What Makes HBOT Effective?
The air we breathe is a mixture of various gases, with oxygen comprising only 21%. This oxygen is taken in through each breath and transferred to the red blood cells in our lungs during gaseous exchange. Oxygen molecules are then carried throughout the body, providing vital energy for growth, repair, and regeneration.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, on the other hand, involves delivering a high concentration of oxygen to the lungs at increased atmospheric pressure within a hyperbaric chamber. This additional oxygen is absorbed by the red blood cells and transported around the body by the blood plasma, allowing the delivery of high levels of oxygen to all tissues in the body and promoting faster healing.
Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
As we mentioned, hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases the oxygen levels in the body, promoting healing and tissue repair. It also reduces inflammation, which is helpful for treating a wide range of conditions. In addition, HBOT improves blood flow and circulation, facilitating the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the body’s tissues. Moreover, the therapy enhances immune function, assisting the body in fighting off infections and healing wounds.
In recent years, medical research has indicated that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be a promising cognitive rehabilitation approach for brain repair. This is excellent news for individuals who suffer from various neurological conditions such as autism, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, migraine headaches, metabolic disorders (that can result in dementia and Alzheimer’s), and other neurological impairments.
HBOT has also been used to ease up the symptoms of autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, Lyme disease and Crohn’s disease. The increased oxygen levels promote the formation of new blood vessels and stimulate the growth of healthy tissue. HBOT also helps reduce swelling and pain associated with autoimmune diseases. The study found that patients who received HBOT had reduced pain and stiffness in their joints, and improvements in their ability to carry out daily activities.
It has been discovered that HBOT promotes the growth of new myelin, which is the protective covering of nerve fibres that can be damaged in multiple sclerosis. This discovery is revolutionary as it gives hope to MS patients.
How Is HBOT Delivered?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is administered in either a monoplace or a multiplace hyperbaric chamber. In a monoplace chamber, a single client receives compressed near-pure oxygen, while in a multiplace chamber, several clients can share a chamber and breathe near-pure oxygen through a face mask. There are even portable chambers that can be used at home. At HybO2 House we have a team of specialists that help our clients to set up chambers at home and ensure their safety.
Is HBOT Safe?
Depending on individual circumstances, clients may receive up to three sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy per day. It is generally considered safe, however there may be circumstances where you are unable to receive HBOT or might experience some discomfort. The most common issues are ear pain or discomfort which is caused by the change in pressure, and claustrophobia or anxiety while inside the chamber.
Conclusion
Various studies have shown that hyperbaric oxygen therapy has the potential to aid in the treatment of numerous conditions with promising results for autoimmune diseases and neurological disorders.
Whether you view hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a legitimate treatment or not, there is much to discover about its benefits, and its potential for addressing neurological issues that have traditionally been difficult to treat is truly exciting.