What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy? An Overview of HBOT

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized room or chamber. In this environment, the air pressure is increased up to three times higher than normal air pressure. Under these conditions, your lungs can gather more oxygen than would be possible by breathing pure oxygen at normal air pressure. The objective of this process is to saturate the blood with sufficient oxygen to aid in tissue repair and restore the body’s normal functions.

When tissue is injured, it requires even more oxygen to survive and heal. HBOT increases the amount of oxygen your blood can carry, which promotes healing and fights infection. This therapy has been used to treat a variety of medical conditions and is becoming increasingly popular in both conventional and alternative medicine circles.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) enhances the body’s natural healing process by administering 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber, significantly higher than the normal atmospheric pressure.

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What is a Hyperbaric Chamber?

A hyperbaric chamber is an essential component of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). It is a highly controlled, pressurized environment designed to administer 100% oxygen at elevated pressure levels. These chambers come in various sizes; some are built for a single person (monoplace chambers), while others can accommodate multiple patients at once (multiplace chambers). Our clinic utilizes a monoplane chamber to provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Hawaii to ensure a precise pressurized environment.

In a monoplace chamber, the patient lies down inside a long, transparent tube, allowing them to see outside, which helps in reducing feelings of claustrophobia. Multiplace chambers are larger, room-like structures where patients can sit or lie down, and a technician can be inside to assist if needed.

The chamber is sealed and pressurized with pure oxygen or a mixture of oxygen and air. This increased pressure allows the lungs to absorb more oxygen than would be possible at normal atmospheric pressure. The design and operation of these chambers are highly regulated to ensure safety and efficacy. They are equipped with communication systems, and safety protocols are strictly followed to manage any potential risks.

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What is a Hyperbaric Chamber Used For?

Decompression Sickness

Often known as “the bends,” affecting divers who surface too quickly.

Severe Anemia

Where the blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

A potentially deadly condition caused by inhaling carbon monoxide.

Crush Injuries

Where tissues are damaged by being compressed.

Skin Grafts and Flaps

Assisting in the healing of skin grafts and flaps that are not healing well.

Thermal Burns

Treatment of severe burns.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy FDA-Approved Treatments

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has gained recognition and approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for several specific medical uses. These FDA-approved treatments highlight the therapy’s effectiveness in enhancing oxygen delivery to damaged tissues, thereby aiding in healing and recovery processes. The following are some of the key FDA-approved uses of HBOT:

  • Air or Gas Embolism: Used to treat air bubbles in blood vessels, which can block blood flow.
  • Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: HBOT is effective in displacing carbon monoxide from hemoglobin, thereby reducing its toxic effects.
  • Gas Gangrene: Oxygen under pressure is used to kill bacteria and reduce toxins in this severe form of gangrene.
  • Crush Injury, Compartment Syndrome, and Other Acute Traumatic Ischemias: HBOT can help reduce swelling and provide oxygen to tissues with compromised blood flow.
  • Decompression Sickness: Commonly known as ‘the bends,’ affecting divers, HBOT helps reduce the bubbles formed during rapid decompression.
  • Arterial Insufficiencies: Including central retinal artery occlusion and enhancement of healing in selected problem wounds.
  • Severe Anemia: HBOT provides an alternative to blood transfusion by saturating the body with oxygen.
  • Intracranial Abscess: HBOT is used as an adjunctive therapy to reduce the size of the abscess and enhance the effects of antibiotics.
  • Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections: It helps by stopping the spread of certain bacterial infections.
  • Osteomyelitis (Refractory): HBOT can assist in the treatment of chronic bone infections that haven’t responded to other treatments.
  • Delayed Radiation Injury (Soft Tissue and Bony Necrosis): HBOT helps heal tissues damaged by radiation therapy.
  • Compromised Skin Grafts and Flaps: It can improve the survival of skin grafts and flaps that are not healing well.
  • Thermal Burns: HBOT is used to treat severe burns by reducing swelling and encouraging new tissue growth.

These treatments showcase the versatility and effectiveness of HBOT in managing a range of complex medical conditions, particularly those involving hypoxic tissues or infections. The FDA approval also underscores the therapy’s safety and efficacy when administered in a controlled clinical setting.

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