What is HBOT?

Oxygen is an essential part of our physiology. We need oxygen to create new cells, fight bacteria, metabolize food and heal from injuries and illness. During a normal day, the average adult inhales approximately six pounds of oxygen, of which about 2 pounds are dissolved into the blood.

While inside the hyperbaric chamber, patients inhale pure oxygen at ten times the normal rate. In one hour inside the chamber, a patient inhales 2.4 pounds. Red blood cells are immediately filled with oxygen and the rest is rapidly absorbed into the blood. Within a few minutes, tissue oxygen levels are far above normal – a state that has been scientifically proven to promote healing.

The pressure causes the oxygen to dissolve into the blood, plasma and tissues.

HBOT allows oxygen to reach areas with low blood-flow caused by inflammation, injury or disease and stimulates the body’s natural healing ability.

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BENEFITS OF HBOT

HBOT has been used to successfully treat or manage a wide range of illnesses, injuries and diseases.
Below are just some of the benefits every HBOT patient receives.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy reduces swelling and inflammation, helps your body eliminate waste and toxins, promotes new blood vessel growth (angiogenesis), increases your body's ability to fight infection and illness, delivers necessary oxygen to deprived areas of the body and the brain

How oxygen-saturation fights infection

When the fluids and tissues inside the body are saturated in oxygen, the body is no longer an ideal environment for anaerobic bacteria to thrive and cause infection.

HBOT directly kills anaerobes and enhances the ability of white blood cells to destroy bacteria and fung.

Increased oxygen levels and blood flow

Through HBOT induced vasoconstriction and hyper-oxygenation, edema is reduced and the plasma-oxygen concentration is increased by 10-15 times the usual amount.

HBOT allows oxygen to provide immediate support to areas with restricted blood-flow.

HBOT and toxic gases

By immersing the patient’s tissues in oxygen while under pressure, toxic gases like carbon monoxide are forced out.

HBOT reduces the damage done by toxic gases.

Vasoconstriction

HBOT causes vasoconstriction without depriving the injured tissue of oxygen. This action helps to manage intermediate compartment syndrome, reduce edema in grafted tissue, and reduce inflammation.

HBOT speeds the healing of burns, wounds and traumatic injury.

Neovascularization

Neovascularization is the growth of new blood vessels. HBOT creates the ideal conditions for new growth to occur because oxygen encourages collagen to form as the foundation for new blood vessels. Also, HBOT stimulates new tissue growth in damaged tissue, refractory osteomyelitis, and chronic ulcerations in soft tissue.

HBOT aids in growth of new blood vessels and stimulates new tissue growth.

Pressure Relationship

According to Boyle’s Law, pressure and gas are inversely related. As the pressure on the body increases, the volume of gas within the body decreases. This reaction allows otherwise trapped gas bubbles to circulate. At the very least, these bubbles are allowed to travel into a lesser blood vessel which minimizes damage.

HBOT releases toxic gases and reduces their damage.

Neurological Function

Recent scientific evidence has shown that HBOT stimulates blood flow, metabolism, and tissue growth in patients with brain injuries. The treatment reawakens dormant neurons that are alive but not functioning around the injured tissue.

HBOT improves recovery from brain injury by stimulating sleeping neurons.

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THE HBOT PROCESS

First time patients often have a lot of questions before taking a “dive” (that’s what we call HBOT treatment.) Sometimes children can be a little scared and even some adults may feel nervous climbing inside for the first time.

We’ve taken every precaution to make sure your treatment is safe and relaxing and that you emerge smiling and ready for more. Below is a brief outline of what you can expect during treatment.

• The patient sits inside our special chamber.
• 100% pure oxygen is inhaled via a special hood – many of our younger patients say it looks like an astronaut’s helmet.
• The air inside the chamber is slowly pressurized to allow the ears and sinuses to adjust.
• During pressurization patients may yawn, swallow or hold their nose and blow to clear their ears – just like taking off or landing in an airplane.
• "Dive" times vary depending on the condition treated. The patient may read, watch a movie or simply relax while in the chamber.
• Younger patients may be accompanied by a parent who can talk with, read to or play games with their child during treatment.