Hyperbaric Oxygen Chambers and How They Work

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has a lot of medical benefits. It is a flexible type of treatment that can be used for a number of serious conditions. And what makes it so versatile is the way each therapy session works—which is what we’re going to discuss today. How exactly does hyperbaric oxygen therapy work? What does it do? And what does each therapy session entail? Let’s find out.

Overview

HBOT is a safe form of therapy, so there’s no need to get anxious if your doctor recommends it. It is also generally non-invasive. Each session involves entering a hyperbaric chamber, lying down comfortably, and staying there for a few hours (often up to 2 hours). There you can rest and relax, while the treatment happens.

How does it Work?

Inside a hyperbaric chamber, the air pressure is increased up to three times than normal. This allows your lungs to take in more oxygen at a time, hence the name hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This is why the treatment is so versatile: it revolves around the usage of additional oxygen. And oxygen can do a lot of great things for your body. By increasing the air pressure, your blood is allowed to carry more oxygen throughout the rest of your body. As simple as that sounds, you’ll be surprised by the number of applications it has. In fact, experts are still studying other possible uses of hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Is it Safe?

This type of treatment is perfectly safe. However, some patients might feel a little claustrophobic inside the chamber. The best course of action is still to consult your doctor regarding HBOT, to see if it is a good fit for you. Every patient is different, after all. Like in any other treatment, some side effects can occur, albeit rarely in this case. Possible side effects include brief short-sightedness, pulmonary oxygen toxicity, and mild sinus discomfort.

What are the Benefits?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was initially used to recompress divers. Decompression is a common hazard in scuba diving. It didn’t take long before it was discovered that the treatment also worked for serious wounds and infections. In 1965, victims of a coal mine explosion were treated using hyperbaric oxygen therapy for their CO poisoning. It was then discovered that the additional air pressure also helped accelerate the body’s natural healing ability. As helpful as it is, HBOT is only considered necessary for serious cases. It’s not used for simple wounds. It is better suited for serious cases like diabetic wounds, venous stasis ulcers, or any other condition that involves hypoxia. Hypoxia refers to insufficient oxygen supply. This condition prevents the body from recovering. Tissues need oxygen not only to function but also to repair itself. In the case of an injury, it needs even more oxygen supply to get back to normal. HBOT also helps the body fight bacteria while strengthening the immune system. Other than that, HBOT also works as a complementary treatment for cancer patients undergoing radiation treatment by reducing inflammation.

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