Hyperbaric oxygen

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a type of medical treatment that involves the use of pure oxygen in a pressurized environment. This therapy is used to treat a variety of medical conditions and can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation.

Overview[edit | edit source]

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy works by increasing the amount of oxygen that your blood can carry. This can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation. The therapy is typically performed in a special chamber, where the air pressure is increased to three times higher than normal air pressure. This allows your lungs to gather more oxygen than they would at normal air pressure.

Uses[edit | edit source]

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used to treat a variety of medical conditions, including:

Decompression sickness, a hazard of scuba diving
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Gas embolism, or air bubbles in the blood vessels
Burns
Crush injuries and other traumatic ischemias
Severe anemia
Intracranial abscess
Necrotizing soft tissue infections
Osteomyelitis, a bone infection
Delayed radiation injury
Compromised skin grafts and flaps
Thermal burns

Procedure[edit | edit source]

During a hyperbaric oxygen therapy session, you will typically sit or lie in a large, clear plastic tube. The air pressure in the tube will be gradually increased, and you may feel a popping sensation in your ears. You will then breathe in pure oxygen for a set period of time.

Risks[edit | edit source]

While hyperbaric oxygen therapy is generally safe, it can carry some risks, including:

Middle ear injuries
Lung collapse caused by air pressure changes
Seizures due to too much oxygen
Vision changes

See Also[edit | edit source]

Hyperbaric oxygen Resources
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