What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy? Benefits & Side Effects

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a form of treatment that helps in speeding up the healing process of wounds that do not heal, infections where the tissues are starved of oxygen, and carbon monoxide poisoning. The goal of this procedure is to fill the body with ample amounts of oxygen, which will help in restoring normal body function as well as repairing the tissues.

This article will give you insights on the benefits and possible side effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

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What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

The hyperbaric oxygen procedure is used to treat chronic wounds along with other medical conditions. In this therapy, the rooms contain about 100 percent of the oxygen. Usually, pressurized chambers deliver oxygen which is about two or three times higher in comparison to normal air pressure. This helps your lungs gather and absorb more oxygen. More oxygen will help steer clear of infections as well as help your tissues heal.

As per medical professionals, this procedure can be used on its own or alongside other medical treatments like surgery and medications. These are generally one to two-hour sessions on an outpatient basis.

The hyperbaric oxygen procedure has been approved for several conditions that include crash injuries, cyanide poisoning, carbon monoxide poisoning, gas gangrene, reduced blood flow in the arteries, infection in bone, delayed radiation injuries, flesh-eating disease, compromised skin graft, chronic infection, gas or air embolism, diabetic wounds, and actinomycosis.

HBOT can also be complemented by medications (Image via Pexels/Jeeshoots Com)

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Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Procedure

The benefits of the hyperbaric oxygen procedure include:

• HBOT will promote wound healing by increasing oxygen flow to tissues starved of oxygen as well as preventing reperfusion injury.
• This therapy will help in disabling toxins of certain harmful bacteria as well as increasing the oxygen concentration of tissues. This will help in enhancing the ability of white blood cells to fight off infections.
• This oxygen therapy will help in boosting the formation of collagen by allowing new blood vessels to grow. The therapy will help in stimulating certain cells that promote healing.

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Possible Side Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

HBOT is not for everyone and should not be used by people who have a fever or cold, have undergone recent ear surgery, and suffer from a certain lung disease. Possible complications with this therapy include low blood sugar, sinus problems, lung collapse, and eye damage.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy uses pure oxygen to help your immune system fight against bacteria along with generating stem cells. This will help in generating other important cells such as muscle cells, brain cells, and blood cells.

However, there are certain unapproved uses of the hyperbaric oxygen procedure including Covid-19, depression, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), migraine headaches, hair loss, strokes, sports injuries, age-related conditions, and more.