Most people recognise hyperbaric chambers and immediately associate them with people suffering from the benz due to scuba diving incidents.

But not many people realise, hyperbaric chambers have another very important role to play on a wider scale. Hyperbaric chambers are now used extensively around the world in a supportive context for many conditions.

First of all, exactly what is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a treatment used to increase the amount of oxygen reaching the bodies’ cells. It is administered by a patient spending time in a hyperbaric chamber and breathing pure oxygen (pressure above sea level 1 atmospheric pressure). The same chamber used to support divers suffering from the Benz is used to deliver the therapy.

HBOT can be used as part of an integrated approach to patient care or it can be used as the sole treatment for a variety of conditions.

The use of HBOT is widely recognised throughout the world to assist in an array of conditions. Depending on the condition the HBOT is being used to support, the patient will be exposed to atmospheric of 1.5 and above.

Now you’re a little clear on just what is HBOT here are the 5 key areas that you’ll logically be wanting to know about

One of Oxygen4Life’s modern hyperbaric chambers.

1) What does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) do?

The therapy supports tissue regeneration while having immune modulation effects and reducing the inflammation in the body.

Essentially this means, hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps support the growth and regeneration of cells in our bodies. It supports the immune system (the body’s system that signals it needs to repair some component) and also helps reduce inflammation which in simple terms is the bodies response to injury.

2) Why is Oxygen so important?

Research has shown oxgen to be the critical and rate limiting factor in healing. Therefore, compromised or impaired delivery of oxygen can slow or prevent healing for the patient.

3) How does HBOT work?

When a patient under goes HBOT, oxygen is forced into the tissues, organs, brain and fluids throughout the body through the pressurization of the hyperbaric chamber. Oxygen floods areas that are oxygen starved to stimulate cell growth and regeneration.

Oxygen displaces toxins and other impurities to assist in detoxification of the patients system. Hyperbaric oxygen acts as an anti-viral and anti-bacterial, as bacteria and viruses typically cannot tolerate oxygen.

Hyperbaric oxygen is an immune modulator, supporting the immune system to bring T and B cells within normal levels. Hypcrbaric oxygen increases neural brain function due to oxygen saturation. Hyperbaric oxygen promtos the release of tumor necrosis factor by immune cell machrophages

The power of oxygen under pressure for health

4) How does Increased oxygen support healing?

Very simply, breathing oxygen while at increased pressure can improve the levels of dissolved oxygen in all body fluids. This promotes oxygen delivery to injured tissue and enhances healing.

5) What are the Physiological effect of HBOT?

The physiologic effects of HBOT include intravascular and tissue gas bubble reduction, improved oxygenation, vasoconstriction, increased antimicrobial activity, modulation of inflammation and immune function and angiogenesis.

Inflammation and immune modulation HBOT has been shown to modulate neutrophil and macrophage function, which explains many of its effects during reperfusion injury, inflammation, and immune-mediated disease.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, HBOT can be a very effective supportive therapy for many common conditions including:—

• Immune modulation

• Enhanced energy

• Pain and Inflammation

• Anti-ageing

• Recovery—Sports and Performance

• Brain and Cognitive Function

For further information please contact the clinic 07 5575 7281 or email [email protected]

References:

• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Part 2: application in disease ,Melissa L. Edwards, DVM, DACVECC,Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2010,1476-4431

• Jain: Textbook in Hyperbaric Medicine “P76 Summary International Conditions Treated Using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

• “ Exposure to hyperbaric oxygen induces tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) secretion from rat macrophages”, N. LAHAT H. BITTERMAN N. YANIV A. KINARTY N. BITTERMAN, The Journal of translational immunology, Dec 1995

The information provided does not constitute a medical endorsement or recommendation. It is intended for informational purposes only, and no claims, either real or implied, are being made.