Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. The increased pressure allows oxygen to dissolve more quickly in the blood, which can increase the amount of oxygen delivered to the body’s tissues.
HBOT has been used to treat a variety of medical conditions, including:
- Wound healing: HBOT can help heal certain types of wounds by increasing blood flow, promoting the growth of new blood vessels, and enhancing the body’s natural healing processes.
- Decompression sickness: HBOT is the primary treatment for decompression sickness, a condition that can occur when scuba divers ascend too quickly from deep water.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning: HBOT can help remove carbon monoxide from the blood and tissues, which is important for people who have been exposed to high levels of this poisonous gas.
- Radiation injuries: HBOT can help reduce the risk of tissue damage and improve healing in people who have received radiation therapy for cancer.
- Infections: HBOT can help fight certain types of bacterial and fungal infections by increasing the amount of oxygen available to the immune system.
It’s important to note that HBOT should only be used under the guidance of a qualified medical professional. While it can be an effective treatment for certain conditions, it can also have risks and side effects, such as ear and sinus pain, temporary nearsightedness, and seizures.