Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is high-pressure pure oxygen delivered in high volumes to patients in a highly controlled environment through a Hyperbaric Chamber. 

HBOT is a concept that helps treat patients with respiratory problems. Oxygen therapy itself has been in practice for centuries. Today, high-pressure oxygen treatment is becoming more popular. This treatment can be extremely useful for those suffering from Decompression Syndrome, which is an unusual release of gas bubbles forming while under pressure in the bloodstream.

For instance, divers diving deeply and then surfacing too rapidly can cause oxygen in blood cells to bubble up. When there is a large number of air bubbles in blood vein, these bubbles can block the bloodstream in various organs such as the lungs, making it impossible to breathe or the brain that may cause a lack of consciousness, dizziness or paralysis. 

Patients suffering from the above mentioned can be treated by being placed in a Hyperbaric Chamber. The pressure in the chamber will then be increase to make the oxygen bubbles dissolve in blood and tissues. In the meantime, the pressure is adjusted according to the patients’ condition as advised by the physicians.

Range of treatments 

HBOT has also been used to treat various conditions such as carbon monoxide poisoning and burning wound. It works by the principle of adding pressure and directly stimulating oxygen at a cellular level. This is a mechanism that causes oxidative stress in the cells at a low levels. This in turn allows the stimulated cells to respond by generating enzymes to fight free radicals and protect the body from toxic effects of the free radicals. 

Studies have found that using high-pressure oxygen helps to increase the efficiency of blood circulation and the immune system. This leads to better would healing and therefore its use in treating the wounds of diabetes patients. It has also been used to treat deep wounds especially wounds with infections that causes necrosis by improving the immune system and promoting excellent wounds healing.

According to many research, HBOT also helps to increase the efficiency of treatment of patients with brain diseases such as Alzheimer's, cerebrovascular diseases and most clinical brain issues cause by accidents. Studies of patients undergoing PET/CT scans after HBOT found that reviving brain cells can help patients to withstand pain better. Apart from the above, the treatment is beneficial for patients with chronic pain, such as chronic muscle pain, migraines, backache and pain suffered during cancer. 

With regards to cancer, although HBOT is not a primary treatment, it does help to promote a cellular environment for proper blood circulation and improved oxygen exchange. Thus, the cells can generate energy effectively, which is also a mechanism which inhibits the growth of cancer cells. For persons at risk of cancer, it helps to rectify and improve the cellular environment. HBOT, in tandem with other treatments such as immunotherapy through Natural Killer (NK) cells or immunotherapy with various nutrients, can strengthen the white blood cells to fight cancer cells better.

 

HBOT is also used in combination with other treatments besides those generally mentioned and they are as follows:

• sports injuries 

• stimulation of nerves controlling facial muscles 

• chronic anemia

• joint pain and inflammation

• chronic muscle pain

• chronic fatigue 

• lung conditions

Types of Hyperbaric Chambers 

• Multiple Hyperbaric Chamber is a chamber to treat several people at the same time under the supervision of trained staff. These type chambers are mostly found at medical facilities that studies underwater medicine.

• Monoplace Hyperbaric Chamber is designed for one person with the capability of continuous communication with staff through a device. Monoplace Hyperbaric Chamber can divided into the following:

 (1) Hard-shell chamber, in which pressure can be increased to 6 atmospheres, the equivalent of diving to the approximately 62 meters deep.

 (2) Flexible chamber, uses low pressure of 1.2-1.4 atmospheres and these chambers can be found in many overseas clinics as well as spas.

Treatment Procedure 

Once the patient is lying down in the Hyperbaric Chamber, the staff closes the door and connects the pressure equipment with the oxygenator level ready to be adjusted. As the pressure increases, patients will feel as if they are in a descending airplane, causing their ears to pop. All patients receiving the therapy should learn to adjust the pressure in their ears before treatment.

  

Contraindications 

It should not be used for the following patients:

• respiratory problems

• high fever

• risk of uncontrollable seizure

• air leakage in the lungs 

• asthma

• emphysema

• chronic heart failure 

• pregnant

• patients on the following medications: 

• Bleomycin

• Doxorubicin 

• Cisplatin