Hyperbaric therapy is an oxygen therapy that provides 100% oxygen for a specified period under controlled pressure. It is also called Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy or HBOT, which means operating at pressures above normal atmospheric pressure.
USFDA and American Medical Association (AMA) have approved the HBO therapy use in the treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning, diabetic ulcers, burns, etc.
History
This therapy of using pressure to treat ailments is present since many centuries. The first use is recorded in 1664 by a British physician named Henshaw. Further, this therapy was developed by many others and many facilities were developed in order to provide this treatment.
Principle
Hyperbaric therapy is believed to improve the efficiency of white blood cells thereby helping the body to fight against infections. It thus helps to boost the immune system and also helps to peripheral blood vessels thus helping the formation of new capillaries. This was initially developed for sea divers to relieve them from decompression sickness. Now this therapy has several uses.
Method
Hyperbaric treatment is given in a defined set-up that is specially designed for this purpose. Patients are allowed to lie down in a chamber that has 100% oxygen circulating inside and the pressure inside is maintained higher than normal. It thus allows the lungs and skin to absorb more amounts of concentrated oxygen in a short period of time.
This is performed by a trained expert and needs medical supervision. With an hour of this therapy a person can breathe approximately 2.4 pounds of oxygen, which can greatly increase the oxygen in the body tissues. It is necessary to clear the eyes during and after the treatment as there can be an ear plugged like sensation due to the pressure changes.
Benefits
Some of the benefits offered by this therapy are
- Increased oxygen to the body tissues
- Wound healing
- Boosting immune system
- Better infection control
- Reducing tissue obstruction due to gas bubbles
Indications
This therapy is commonly used in gas embolism, gangrene, necrosis, decompression sickness, burns, cerebral palsy, cyanide or carbon monoxide poisoning, head injuries, infections, stroke and many more conditions in which the body tissues need to be resuscitated.
Safety First
Oxygen toxicity can have adverse effects on the system and particularly the nervous and respiratory system. History of major illnesses needs to be carefully taken and those suffering from claustrophobia should be carefully attended.
