A hyperbaric chamber is a pressurised enclosure that allows individuals to breathe pure oxygen in a controlled environment. This therapy, known as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), is used to treat various medical conditions by enhancing oxygen levels in the body’s tissues.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy works by increasing the air pressure inside the chamber up to three times higher than normal atmospheric pressure. This high pressure allows your lungs to gather more oxygen than would be possible at normal air pressure, helping to fight bacteria and stimulate the release of substances called growth factors and stem cells, which promote healing.
HBOT is known to accelerate healing from infections, improve recovery from injuries, help treat conditions such as carbon monoxide poisoning, gangrene, and wounds that won’t heal as a result of diabetes. It also shows promise in treating stroke, brain injuries, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Individuals with medical conditions that benefit from increased blood oxygen levels can benefit from HBOT. This includes patients with diabetic foot ulcers, certain types of infections, decompression sickness (often experienced by divers), and more. Always consult with a healthcare provider to determine if HBOT is appropriate for your condition.Individuals with medical conditions that benefit from increased blood oxygen levels can benefit from HBOT. This includes patients with diabetic foot ulcers, certain types of infections, decompression sickness (often experienced by divers), and more. Always consult with a healthcare provider to determine if HBOT is appropriate for your condition.
While generally safe, HBOT can have potential side effects such as middle ear injuries, lung collapse due to air pressure changes, myopia, and, in rare cases, oxygen toxicity. The procedure should be conducted under medical supervision to manage any risks effectively.
The duration of a hyperbaric oxygen therapy session can vary, but most treatments last approximately 90 to 120 minutes, depending on the condition being treated and the specific medical protocol followed.
The number of sessions required can vary widely depending on the individual’s condition and response to therapy. Treatment may range from a single session for decompression sickness to 10 to 20 sessions for more complex issues like non-healing wounds (e.g. diabetic foot ulcers) or recovring from an injury.
Yes, with many professional athletes report speeding up recovery by 3 or more months by using HBOT consistently. The pressure allows more oxygen to dissolve into the blood, this coupled with the high oxygen concentration within the chamber gets more oxygen rich plasma to the injury helping to accelerate recovery.