The Science Behind
HBOT
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is often referred to as “HBOT”, from ‘hyper’, meaning ‘over’ and ‘baric’ referring to atmospheric pressure.
The process of HBOT is to breathe a higher percentage of oxygen under increased pressure.
Why consider HBOT? Oxygen is required by the body for basic functioning and healing which is a natural process. The increased oxygen level attained by HBOT allows the body to do what it does naturally, just much faster, which can be of real benefit for the healing of sports injuries, medical post-procedures and body function that relies on good quality oxygen levels.
Air contains approximately 21% oxygen and 78% nitrogen. During HBOT, the oxygen percentage breathed by the patient is increased to approaching 100%, which is almost five times more than in air during normal breathing. In addition to this, the pressure of the oxygen breathed by the patient in HBOT is two to three times greater than atmospheric pressure (most often 2.4 atmospheres or bar). This means that during HBOT the patient is breathing 10 to 15 times more oxygen than they would be when breathing air at normal pressure.
During HBOT oxygen is breathed into the lungs, dissolved into the blood plasma, and transported around the body via the blood supply. Even where the blood supply is poor, a higher level of oxygen can be delivered to those areas. The effects of this higher level of oxygen will vary according to the type of tissue they reach and the underlying condition for which HBOT is being given.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy ‘HBOT’ was first used in Britain, by the physician Nathaniel Henshaw in 1662.
Your body's tissue need an adequate supply of oxygen to function. When tissue is injured, it requires even more oxygen to survive. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy increases the amount of oxygen your blood can carry. With repeated sessions, the temporary extra high oxygen levels encourage normal tissue oxygen levels, even after the therapy is completed.
The therapy is painless and may be used to remediate medical issues such as burns, skin grafts, radiotherapy damaged tissues and bone infections. Emergency conditions such as gangrene, carbon monoxide poisoning, cyanide poisoning, air embolism and of course decompression illness can also be treated.
Regular Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy means that your body can potentially benefit from the following:
Increased amount of oxygen carried by the blood
Enables the oxygen to be dissolved into the hard-to-reach plasma, lymph, and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord
Stimulates the development of new blood vessels where circulation has been compromised
Promotes collagen, bone, and cartilage repair and regeneration
Reduces swelling and inflammation
Mobilises, stimulates and increases stem cell production within damaged tissue and bone marrow
Strengthens the immune system and stimulates the release of stem cells
Increases superoxide dismutase, one of the body’s most crucial antioxidant and free radical scavengers
Increases cellular energy and tissue function
Regenerates new blood vessels and new tissue
Significantly reduces inflammation and swelling
Can provide strong pain-relieving effects
Typically enhances the immune function and helps fight infections
Revitalises mitochondria
Increases the amount of oxygen delivered to injured tissue
Promotes blood vessel formation, especially in microcirculation to increase blood flow
Leads to the reduction and inactivation of some infections
Promotes healing of wounds
Helps preserve compromised tissues
Stimulates new bone formation
Reduces the effects of some specific toxic substances
To benefit from Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, you may require multiple regular sessions, with the number of sessions dependent upon your condition.
New evidence is continually being uncovered through research studies into the application of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. This is resulting in a growing demand and acceptance for the utilisation of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy throughout the health and wellness industry globally.
Importantly, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy should not be considered as a substitute for medical care as advised by a registered medical professional.
HBOT is often used to alleviate and help with the following conditions:
Autism
Cerebral palsy
Depression
Hair Loss
HIV and AIDS
Migraine and headaches
Strokes
Covid-19
Hearing loss
Anaemia
Radiation injuries
HBOT is typically a very safe therapy process with no inherent risk, however there can be side effects which are avoided by having a consultation with your therapy provider. Prior to this consultation it is important that you seek the advice of your doctor on whether you are a suitable candidate for HBOT.
Potential Side Effects:
Middle ear injuries, including leaking fluid and eardrum rupture, due to changes in air pressure.
Temporary near-sightedness, called myopia, caused by temporary eye lens changes.
Lung collapse caused by air pressure changes, called barotrauma.
Seizures as a result of too much oxygen, also called oxygen toxicity, in your central nervous system.
Lowered blood sugar in people who have diabetes treated with insulin.
In certain circumstances, fire - due to the oxygen-rich environment of the treatment chamber.