Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment (HBOT) is a medical treatment that augments and expedites the body’s natural healing process. This is done by the simple inhalation of 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber, in which atmospheric pressure is increased under strict control. HBOT is used for a broad array of maladies and complaints, generally as part of a complete medical treatment plan.

When we breathe normally, oxygen is conveyed throughout the body only by red blood cells. HBOT causes oxygen to disperse through all the bodily fluids, plasma, the central nervous system fluids, lymphatic fluids and bone. Thus, it can reach places in the body where circulation is blocked or weakened. When extra oxygen reaches damaged tissues, the body can use it for its own healing process, which was blocked until now. The oxygen boost dramatically increases the ability of white blood cells to eliminate bacteria. It also reduces swelling and enables new blood vessels to grow faster in damaged areas. HBOT is a simple, non-invasive, and painless treatment.

Science has long known that in many parts of the body, healing can’t occur unless oxygen levels in the relevant tissue are sufficient. Most sickness and injuries take place, and many times linger on, at the tissue or even the cellular level. In many cases, including circulatory problems, wounds that won’t heal, and strokes, not enough oxygen is able to reach the damaged area, and this prevents the body’s healing process from functioning. HBOT supplies this missing oxygen in a natural manner and with minimal side effects.

HBOT treatments has enhanced the quality of life of many patients, suffering from diverse conditions which more common medical practices have failed to alleviate or solve. Conditions from stroke and cerebral palsy to chronic headaches and fatigue have been shown to improve following HBOT treatments.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is useful for any and all maladies which could be improved by increased tissue oxygen availability, and also for infections where its antibiotic aspects are beneficial, either as the primary therapy, or in conjunction with other treatments and drugs.

• Compartment Syndrome/Crush Injury/Other Traumatic Ischemias
• Decompression Sickness (Bends)
• Skin Grafts and (Compromised) Flaps
• Thermal Burns
• Air or Gas Embolism
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
• Osteomyelitis (Refractory)
• Diabetic and other Wounds
• Exceptional Blood Loss (Anemia)
• Gas Gangrene
• Intracranial Abscess
• Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection
• Osteoradionecrosis and Radiation Tissue Damage.
  
  

In addition to the above, for which HBOT is a recognized and covered treatment in most of the developed world, the following conditions have also been shown to benefit from the treatment, and may be covered by your insurer:

• Alzheimer’s
• Autism
• Cerebral Palsy
• Lyme Disease
• Migraines
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Near Drowning
• Recovery from Plastic Surgery
• Sports Injuries
• Stroke
• Traumatic Brain Injury

• Whether you have any cold or flu symptoms, fever, sinus or nasal congestion, or chest congestion.
• Whether there is any chance that you may be pregnant.
• Whether there has been a change in any of your medications.
• If you have skipped a meal prior to your HBOT treatment.
• If you are diabetic and did not take your insulin prior to your treatment.
• If you have any concerns or anxiety.

It’s simple: You enter the luxuriously appointed chamber, which is then sealed and pressurized. You sit in a comfortable armchair, with a large touch-screen panel to control both the treatment and your music of choice (connect any device by USB). You place a mask on your face, lean back and let the oxygen being streamed through the mask, and the pressure in the chamber, work their dual wonders deep at the cellular level of your body. The treatment lasts 60-90 minutes.

Clean cotton is the only clothing fabric allowed in the chamber. No cosmetics, perfumes, hair preparations, deodorants, wigs or jewelry are allowed in the chamber. The technician needs to know if you are taking any medications, including non-prescription drugs. Patients are advised not to consume alcohol or carbonated beverages for four hours prior to treatment. It is generally advised that patients refrain from smoking and any other tobacco products during the course of HBOT treatments, as these hinder the body’s ability to transport oxygen.

HBOT is generally very safe, and both patient and technician are able to put an end to the vast majority of side effects simply by stopping the oxygen flow.

The risks are rare, but do include:

• Worsening of nearsightedness (myopia), due to temporary changes in eye lens shape.
• Middle ear injury, due to the pressure.
• Lung collapse (barotrauma, very rare) due to the pressure.
• Lowered blood sugar for diabetic patients treated with insulin.