What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy? Purpose, Procedure & Results

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment where you breathe pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. Think of it like taking a healing dive underwater, but instead of water pressure, you're surrounded by concentrated oxygen that helps your body repair itself more effectively.

During this therapy, the increased pressure allows your lungs to gather much more oxygen than they normally would. This oxygen-rich blood then travels throughout your body, reaching areas that might be struggling to heal on their own.

What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing 100% pure oxygen while inside a specially designed chamber that's pressurized to levels higher than normal atmospheric pressure. The word "hyperbaric" simply means "greater than normal pressure."

Your body normally gets oxygen from the air around you, which is only about 21% oxygen. Inside the hyperbaric chamber, you're breathing pure oxygen at pressures that are typically 2 to 3 times higher than what you'd experience at sea level.

This combination of pure oxygen and increased pressure allows your blood to carry significantly more oxygen to your tissues. When your tissues receive this extra oxygen, they can heal faster and fight infections more effectively.

Why is hyperbaric oxygen therapy done?

Doctors recommend hyperbaric oxygen therapy when your body's natural healing processes need extra support. The therapy works by delivering oxygen to areas of your body that aren't getting enough due to injury, infection, or poor circulation.

The most common reasons for HBOT include treating serious infections that aren't responding to antibiotics, helping diabetic wounds heal, and supporting recovery from certain types of poisoning. It's also used for decompression sickness, which happens when divers surface too quickly.

Some conditions that may benefit from this therapy include:

• Severe infections in bone or soft tissue
• Diabetic foot ulcers that won't heal
• Radiation injuries from cancer treatment
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Severe burns
• Crush injuries with poor circulation
• Sudden hearing loss
• Severe anemia when blood transfusions aren't possible

Less commonly, doctors might consider HBOT for certain rare conditions like gas embolism (air bubbles in blood vessels) or necrotizing fasciitis (a severe flesh-eating infection). Your healthcare provider will carefully evaluate whether this therapy is right for your specific situation.

What is the procedure for hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

The procedure begins with you lying comfortably inside a clear, tube-shaped chamber that looks similar to a large, transparent capsule. You'll be able to see out and communicate with the medical team throughout the entire treatment.

Before starting, you'll remove any items that could create sparks or interfere with the oxygen-rich environment. This includes jewelry, watches, hearing aids, and certain clothing materials. The medical team will provide you with comfortable, approved clothing if needed.

Here's what happens during your treatment:

1. You'll enter the chamber and lie down on a comfortable padded table
2. The chamber will be sealed and slowly pressurized over about 10-15 minutes
3. You'll breathe pure oxygen through a mask or hood for the prescribed treatment time
4. The treatment session typically lasts 60-90 minutes
5. The pressure will be gradually reduced over another 10-15 minutes
6. You'll exit the chamber feeling relaxed and well-oxygenated

During pressurization, you might feel a sensation similar to what you experience during airplane takeoff or landing. Your ears may feel full or pop, which is completely normal. The medical team will teach you simple techniques to help equalize the pressure in your ears.

Most treatment plans involve multiple sessions, typically ranging from 20 to 40 treatments over several weeks. The exact number depends on your condition and how well you're responding to the therapy.

How to prepare for your hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Preparing for HBOT is straightforward, but there are important safety steps you'll need to follow. Your healthcare team will provide you with a detailed checklist, but here are the key preparation guidelines.

On the day of your treatment, you'll want to eat a light meal beforehand to prevent nausea, but avoid carbonated beverages which can cause discomfort under pressure. Make sure to use the restroom before your session since you'll be in the chamber for over an hour.

Important preparation steps include:

• Remove all makeup, nail polish, and hair products that contain petroleum
• Don't use deodorants, perfumes, or lotions on treatment days
• Avoid alcohol and carbonated drinks for at least 4 hours before treatment
• Don't smoke or use tobacco products on treatment days
• Remove all jewelry, watches, and electronic devices
• Inform your team about any medications you're taking
• Let them know if you have a cold, fever, or feel unwell

Your medical team will also review your health history to ensure HBOT is safe for you. Certain conditions like untreated pneumothorax (collapsed lung) or severe claustrophobia may require special precautions or alternative treatments.

How to read your hyperbaric oxygen therapy results?

Unlike lab tests with specific numbers, hyperbaric oxygen therapy results are measured by how well your condition improves over time. Your healthcare team will monitor your progress through regular examinations and sometimes additional tests.

For wound healing, success means seeing new tissue growth, reduced infection signs, and improved circulation to the affected area. Your doctor will measure wound size, check for healthy pink tissue, and look for signs that your body is building new blood vessels.

Signs that HBOT is working effectively include:

• Faster wound healing with healthy tissue growth
• Reduced swelling and inflammation
• Better circulation to previously compromised areas
• Decreased signs of infection
• Improved energy levels and overall wellbeing
• Enhanced response to other treatments you're receiving

Your progress will be documented through photographs, measurements, and regular medical assessments. Some improvements may be visible within the first few treatments, while others might take several weeks to become apparent.

If you're not seeing expected progress after a reasonable number of sessions, your healthcare team will reassess your treatment plan and consider whether adjustments are needed or if alternative therapies might be more beneficial.

How to optimize your hyperbaric oxygen therapy results?

Getting the most benefit from HBOT involves being consistent with your treatment schedule and supporting your body's healing process between sessions. Your healthcare team will work with you to create a comprehensive healing plan.

The most important factor is attending all your scheduled sessions, even if you start feeling better. Skipping treatments can slow your progress and may require extending your overall treatment plan.

Ways to support your therapy include:

• Following your prescribed treatment schedule exactly
• Eating a healthy, protein-rich diet to support tissue repair
• Staying well-hydrated before and after each session
• Getting adequate sleep to allow your body to heal
• Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
• Taking prescribed medications as directed
• Keeping follow-up appointments with your healthcare team

Your doctor may also recommend specific wound care techniques, physical therapy, or other supportive treatments to work alongside your HBOT sessions. Following these recommendations can significantly improve your outcomes.

What are the risk factors for needing hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Several health conditions and lifestyle factors can increase your likelihood of needing HBOT. Understanding these risk factors can help you take preventive measures when possible.

Diabetes is one of the most significant risk factors, particularly if your blood sugar levels aren't well-controlled. High blood sugar can damage blood vessels and nerves, leading to poor circulation and wounds that heal slowly or become infected.

Common risk factors include:

• Diabetes, especially with poor blood sugar control
• Peripheral vascular disease or poor circulation
• Previous radiation therapy for cancer treatment
• Smoking or tobacco use
• Compromised immune system
• Severe infections that don't respond to standard treatment
• Occupational exposure to carbon monoxide

Certain rare conditions can also increase your risk, such as sickle cell disease, severe anemia, or genetic disorders that affect wound healing. Additionally, people who work in diving, mining, or other high-risk occupations may face increased exposure to conditions that HBOT treats.

Age can also be a factor, as older adults may have slower healing responses and are more likely to develop complications from wounds or infections.

What are the possible complications of hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

While HBOT is generally safe when performed by trained professionals, like any medical treatment, it can have side effects. Most complications are mild and temporary, resolving shortly after treatment ends.

The most common side effect is ear discomfort or pain, similar to what you might experience during air travel. This happens because of the pressure changes in the chamber and can usually be managed with simple ear-clearing techniques.

Potential complications include:

• Ear pain or pressure, sometimes leading to eardrum rupture in rare cases
• Temporary vision changes that typically resolve within weeks
• Sinus pressure or congestion
• Claustrophobia or anxiety in the enclosed chamber
• Temporary worsening of existing cataracts
• Lung problems if you have certain pre-existing conditions
• Seizures in very rare cases with extremely high oxygen levels

Serious complications are uncommon but can include oxygen toxicity, which might cause lung inflammation or seizures. This risk is minimized through careful monitoring and following established safety protocols.

Your medical team will thoroughly review your health history to identify any factors that might increase your risk of complications. They'll also monitor you closely during each treatment session.

When should I see a doctor for hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

You should discuss HBOT with your healthcare provider if you have wounds that aren't healing despite proper care, or if you're dealing with infections that haven't responded well to standard treatments. Your doctor is the best person to determine if this therapy is appropriate for your situation.

Seek medical attention promptly if you have wounds that show signs of serious infection, such as increased redness, warmth, swelling, or foul-smelling discharge. These could indicate conditions that might benefit from HBOT as part of your treatment plan.

Consider consulting your doctor about HBOT if you have:

• Diabetic wounds that haven't healed after several weeks of proper care
• Radiation injuries from cancer treatment
• Severe burns that aren't responding to conventional treatment
• Bone infections that haven't improved with antibiotics
• Sudden hearing loss without an obvious cause
• Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms
• Decompression sickness from diving

If you're currently receiving HBOT and experience severe ear pain, vision changes, chest pain, or difficulty breathing, contact your healthcare provider immediately. These symptoms could indicate complications that need prompt medical attention.