Wednesday, November 19, 2008

What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

With Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) one breathes 100% oxygen while sitting in a specially designed pressurized chamber. This therapy enhances the body’s own natural-healing process.

"Hyperbaric" is any pressure greater than the pressure at sea level (1.0 ATA). The greater the pressure, the greater the dose of oxygen delivered. In addition to pressurization, the percentage of oxygen is increased from room air (21% oxygen) to 100% oxygen.

The limiting factor of oxygenation at normal pressures (1.0 ATA) is our own blood and tissue physiology. At 1.0 ATA (atmospheres absolute), the red blood cells are able to carry only a limited amount of oxygen. At higher pressures, oxygen is more readily dissolved into all bodily fluids, including blood, plasma, lymphatic fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, and interstitial fluid.
This increase in oxygenation helps to reverse states of tissue oxygen depletion, known clinically as hypoxia, which is often a leading cause of cellular damage during disease states.

"Off Label" yet appropriate indications for HBOT include the following:

Stroke, Cerebral Edema, Lyme Disease, Autism, Migraine & Cluster headaches, Near Drowning, Brain Injury (cerebral edema/coma), Peripheral Neuropathy, Chronic Fatigue, Cerebral Palsy, Peripheral Vascular Disease, Immune System Building, Multiple Sclerosis, Sports Injuries, Spinal Cord Injury, Elective Plastic Surgery - recovery.

Hyperbaric Oxygenation is also an excellent therapy when used in combination with other Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine programs.

Medically "Approved" Conditions
Treatment chambers utilizing pressurized oxygen are currently in use in major hospitals for the following emergency conditions:

Air or gas embolism, Carbon monoxide poisoning or smoke inhalation, Gas gangrene/Gangrene, Crush injury and acute traumatic ischemias, Decompression sickness, Enhanced healing of selected problem wounds, Blood loss anemia, Necrotizing soft tissue infections, Refractory Osteomyelitis, Osteoradionecrosis, Compromised skin grafts, Thermal burns, Radiation tissue damage.

4 comments:

Maureensk said...

Wow M! Your blog looks cool! It's great to learn why hyperbaric oxygen therapy works. Your blog is off to an interesting start! I await hearing about the rest of the experience!

Maureensk said...

Okay, typing with baby is difficult, I mean to say that I "eagerly" await the rest of your posts.

Grandma Carol said...

Hi Marna, Benj and Naomi,

I just read your blog for the first time and found it very informative. I have my fingers and toes crossed hoping that the HBOT process will be very helpful. I'm missing you all and look forward to your return! Keep up the good work, Naomi! Carol

Shai Efrati said...

Very informative blog. HBOT treatments based on exposure to high-pressure oxygen at various concentrations inside a pressure chamber. Thanks for explaining HBOT in detail.