Answering the question, “What is oxygen therapy treatment?” requires a two-part response. First, we will discuss the hyperbaric oxygen therapy process. The second part will explain what this treatment is for. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), first used in the U.S. during the early 20th century, was an experimental treatment of the flu. It is now approved for dozens of medical conditions.
What is hyperbaric oxygen treatment?
The oxygen treatment is a non-invasive, painless and drug-free treatment. It requires that the patient sits or lies comfortably in a hyperbaric room filled with high-pressure pure oxygen. The pressure in the chamber is higher than normal. The patient’s lungs can collect up to 200% more oxygen under these pressurized conditions.
No matter the purpose of the treatment, HBOT is based on saturating tissues and blood cells at high oxygen levels.
What happens during treatment?
HBOT treatments do not cause pain. Patients may experience a feeling similar to being inside a plane as the pressure increases. The pressure is released easily and doesn’t last throughout the treatment.
While inside the treatment room, patients can relax, read, listen or watch TV, or take a nap. They only have to lay down and breathe. The duration and frequency of the sessions will vary depending on the severity and type of condition being treated.
Treatment sessions can also vary. Your specialist will create a customized treatment plan before beginning the HBOT protocol.
What do the chambers look like?
Treatment can be done in both monoplace and multiplace chambers.
Monoplace is a tube-like chamber that can only accommodate one person. The monoplace chamber is enclosed in clear acrylic for maximum comfort and visibility. Consider using HBOT facilities like Aalto hyperbaric, which use FDA-approved 100% monoplace oxygen chambers.
The multiplace chamber is a room where two or three people can be treated at once. Pure oxygen can be administered by masks or hoods.
How does hyperbaric oxygen treatment work?
HBOT’s high oxygen level improves the condition for hypoxic tissue — tissues which do not receive adequate oxygen. The hypoxic tissue grows healthy blood vessels when hypoxia is alternated with hyperoxia. This process is known as neovascularization and it’s essential to healing certain types of wounds.
HBOT is able to treat many skin, internal, neurological and other issues, as well as injuries or disabilities. Some of the conditions that are treated include:
- Crush injuries
- Reduce fatigue
- Brain function: Improved
- Stimulate healing after surgery
- Osteomyelitis (bone infections)
- Flesh-eating diseases
- Gas gangrene
- Carbon monoxide and cyanide poisoning
- Diabetic Wounds
- Reduce arthritis pain
- Improve skin elasticity
- Reduce inflammatory reactions
- Immune system booster
HBOT is also effective for many conditions “off-label”. Oxygen treatments are beneficial to the body because they boost the immune system and promote the natural healing process. These two actions are necessary to heal and prevent disease.
Who can benefit from hyperbaric oxygen treatment?
Benefits of HBOT can be almost endless. Everyone can benefit from increased circulation and decreased tissue inflammation. Hyperbaric treatments can be very beneficial for older people with heart problems, circulation issues, diabetes or bone loss. Seniors who are proactive can include HBOT in their overall wellness plan to improve health and ease the pains of aging.
