Hyperbaric oxygen treatment

What Is a Hyperbaric Chamber?

A hyperbaric chamber is a sealed environment in which you breathe oxygen while exposed to pressure higher than normal atmospheric pressure. The treatment is known as Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) and is used in a variety of medical applications, including difficult-to-heal wounds, certain infections, radiation injuries, and decompression sickness in divers.

Inside the chamber, you sit or lie comfortably while trained personnel monitor the treatment throughout the session.

The treatment itself takes place in several stages. First, the pressure is gradually increased, similar to descending underwater while diving. Once the desired pressure is reached, you breathe oxygen for a specified period, typically between 60 and 120 minutes. Finally, the pressure is slowly returned to normal atmospheric levels.

During the session, you can relax, read, listen to music, watch a movie, or simply rest. You may experience a mild pressure sensation in your ears, similar to what is felt during air travel, but staff will guide you through simple techniques to equalize the pressure comfortably.

From a medical perspective, HBOT is based on well-established physical and biological principles. When pressure increases, significantly more oxygen can dissolve directly into the blood plasma rather than being transported solely by red blood cells. This allows oxygen to reach tissues with reduced blood supply and may support the body's natural healing processes.

The increased oxygen availability can help reduce swelling, inhibit the growth of certain bacteria, and support the repair of damaged tissue. It may also stimulate the formation of new blood vessels and connective tissue, both of which play important roles in wound healing and recovery.

During hyperbaric oxygen therapy, multiple physiological processes occur simultaneously. Blood becomes highly oxygenated, allowing oxygen to penetrate deeper into tissues that would otherwise receive limited oxygen. Over time, this may contribute to improved healing, reduced discomfort, and enhanced tissue function.

HBOT is always performed under carefully controlled conditions and is tailored to the individual's specific needs and circumstances. Before treatment begins, a thorough assessment is conducted to ensure that hyperbaric oxygen therapy is both safe and appropriate for the individual.