A Brief Overview Of HBOT Therapy And Treatment

There is much debate and speculation regarding the process and benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. In this article, I will discuss the basic concept and benefits of HBOT, and list the various conditions that can be treated by HBOT therapy.

Understanding HBOT
HBOT, or Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is a medical procedure, wherein, patients are asked to breathe in pure oxygen at 100% atmospheric pressure.

The purpose of this whole exercise is to improve blood circulation, aid in the quicker recovery of damaged cells and tissues, help in the growth of new blood vessels and production of stem cell tissues that are actively involved in the repair of damaged organs. It is a non-invasive procedure.

Patients are asked to lie in a supine position in an acrylic bed chamber, the pressure of which is gradually increased by administering regular doses of pure oxygen from external pipes. All the patients need to do is breathe in this pure oxygen.

In normal circumstances, the blood vessels are the main carriers of oxygen to the organs, cells and tissues. HBOT therapy ensures that oxygen is dissolved in blood plasma, the fluids of the central nervous system, lymph nodes and bone marrow, that is, to all the areas that have been damaged by

 limited oxygen supply. The greater the flow of oxygen is, the better are the chances of recovery. In fact, doctors even say that with regular HBOT treatment, the human body can survive without blood for two-to-three days, as oxygen is contained in every cell, tissue and organ of the body.

 The increase in the oxygen levels in the body enhances the capacity of white blood cells to kill bacteria within the body, augments the growth of blood vessels in injured areas, and helps to reduce swelling.

Benefits Of HBOT Therapy
It is well-known that the necessary prerequisite for the healing process is the presence of oxygen. Most injuries and illnesses often linger at the tissue, or cellular level. In various cases like non-healing wounds,

circulatory problems, strokes etc, oxygen is not able to reach the damaged tissues, thereby prolonging the healing process. With HBOT therapy, the percentage of oxygen can be increased, and the process of recovery can be quickened. Patients who suffer from cerebral palsy, stroke, chronic fatigue and  head injuries have found this therapy to be immensely helpful.

The Conditions That HBOT Therapy Can Treat
HBOT treatment is effective for all those debilitating conditions that are caused by limited oxygen supply to the different parts of the body. It is a good treatment for fighting bacterial infections, and can be administered in conjunction with antibiotics and drugs, or even be prescribed as the primary therapy. Medicare and insurance companies generally ensure payment for the following conditions:
Gas or air embolism.

Poisoning by carbon monoxide.
Crush injury/compartment syndrome/traumatic ischemias.
Bends or decompression sickness.
Diabetic wounds.
Anemia or blood loss.

Gas gangrene.
Necrotizing infection of soft tissues.
Intra-cranial abscess.

Radiation and Osteoradionecrosis tissue damage.
Osteomyelitis
Compromised flaps and skin grafts.
Thermal burns.

However, there are also many off-label conditions that may, or may not be covered by insurance. Such sicknesses include:
Autism.

Cerebral Palsy.
Migraine.
Lyme disease.

Multiple Sclerosis.
Near drowning.
Sports injuries.
Strokes.

Plastic surgery recovery.
Traumatic head and brain injuries.
The question that often plagues the minds of patients and relatives is the safety of this procedure. HBOT therapy is a safe procedure that is conducted under the keen supervision of trained

professionals. The fire-prevention methods are also well placed and full-proof. Patients are not allowed to carry in flammable objects with them that might accidentally start a fire. HBOT therapy is

 a safe therapeutic procedure that can help to improve the lifestyle of patients suffering from various
debilitating conditions caused by the paucity of oxygen.

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Research, Risks And Benefits Of HBOT Treatment In A Personal Hyperbaric Chamber

For more than forty years now, personal hyperbaric chambers have been used for the administration of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for treating a wide range of medical conditions, without adequate research and scientific validation of its safety or efficacy. Doctors and medical practitioners are
highly skeptical about this therapeutic method. Hyperbaric Medical Society and The Undersea

approves the use of personal hyperbaric chambers for the treatment of specific conditions as has b
een validated by medical research and papers. In such conditions, it is essential to start the treatment at the earliest possible stage following diagnosis.
Based on scientific evidences, some of the conditions that can be treated in personal hyperbaric

chambers are:
Adjunctive Treatment
Refractory osteomyelitis.
Injury induced by radiation therapy.
Unnatural prolongation of the wound healing process.
Excessive blood loss caused by anemia.

HBOT treatment in personal hyperbaric chambers, as per research, is ineffective for the treatment of diseases like dementia and multiple sclerosis. The procedure is nevertheless used, despite the health risks that are involved. For other unproven conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, gastroduodenal ulcer,

 cirrhosis etc, the treatment should be conducted only in situations where the clinical trial is well controlled.
Biochemical and Cellular benefits of HBOT Treatment In A Personal Hyperbaric Chamber
Promotes wound healing and angiogenesis.

Kills certain types of anaerobes.
Prevents the growth of Pseudomonas.
Prevents the production of the toxin- clostridial alpha.

Restores the bacterial killing process by neutrophil in hypoxic tissues.
In the case of reperfusion injury, it reduces the chances of leucocyte adhesion, thereby preventing the release of free radicals and proteases which can cause cellular damage and vasoconstriction.

Personal Hyperbaric Chambers are of two kinds: Monoplace and multiplace hyperbaric chambers. Let us look into the features of both.
Monoplace hyperbaric chambers are:

Portable.
Affordable and cheap.
They are generally small in size, and hence accessibility to the patient in an ongoing therapy session is rather limited.

There are chances of fire as the highly combustible chambers are prone to accidents.
Multiplace hyperbaric chambers, on the other hand, have the following characteristics:
Due to the availability of space, an attendant can accompany the patient within the chamber.

In these chambers, oxygen can be administered by an oxygen mask. Therefore, the overall concentration inside the chamber can be reduced, and this in turn, limits the possibilities of a fire outbreak.

However, patients run the risk of getting infected when one or more patients are treated simultaneously with someone who has an ulcerous sore, or viral infection.

More often than not, doctors state that hyperbaric treatment is effective the most when the therapy is conducted at the earliest possible opportunity following diagnosis. This might be slightly problematic in the case of patients who are immobile and paralyzed, as they will have to travel over long distances

  to reach a treatment facility where HBOT therapy is conducted. In such cases, a personal hyperbaric chamber solves a lot of problems. These monoplace chambers are available at an affordable price, and can be easily handled as the control systems are not very complicated. The therapy can continue

 from 45 to 300 minutes, and patients may be required to undertake as many as forty sessions before any positive changes can be noticed. Facilities for mechanical ventilation and resuscitation are also available along with these chambers.

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