Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that has been used for decades. The process involves breathing in 100% oxygen at increased atmospheric pressure. It is an effective treatment for various conditions such as decompression sickness, wounds, and carbon monoxide poisoning. However, there are many facts and misconceptions about this form of therapy.
This guide explores HBOT myths and facts to help you make an informed decision.
How Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Work?
During HBOT treatment, patients lie in a pressurized chamber filled with 100% pure oxygen. The pressure inside the compartment is usually higher than normal atmospheric pressure, which increases the amount of oxygen in the patient’s bloodstream.
This increase in oxygen levels helps facilitate healing by providing more nutrients and energy to the damaged or diseased cells, allowing them to repair and regenerate faster than usual. The air pressure also helps reduce swelling in injured tissue and can help reduce inflammation associated with certain conditions.
Myths About HBOT
The five common HBOT Myths are that it’s:
1. A Wonder Treatment for Everything
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy doesn’t treat everything. While it has been used to treat many conditions, the doctor only prescribes it after establishing the best course of action for the patient. So, it’s not an alternative to proven treatments or medications and requires professional approval and supervision.
2. Just a Celebrity Trend
While it’s true that some celebrities have turned to hyperbaric oxygen therapy as part of their health routine, this doesn’t make it just a celebrity trend. HBOT has been around since the early 20th century and is used in hospitals and clinics worldwide to treat various conditions such as decompression sickness and non-healing wounds. It’s also often prescribed after brain injuries or strokes due to its ability to improve the circulation of oxygenated blood to the affected area of the brain.
3. Only an “Off-Label” Treatment
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be used both on-label and off-label depending on the condition. On-label means that the FDA has approved it for treating a specific medical disease. In contrast, off-label use refers to unapproved uses that have shown promise in clinical trials but are not officially approved by the FDA as safe or effective treatments yet.
However, just because something is off-label does not necessarily mean it should be discounted. There may still be evidence of safety and efficacy from clinical trials that make HBOT worth considering for specific conditions or illnesses when other treatments have failed or are unavailable.
4. A Risk-Free Treatment
While hyperbaric oxygen therapy can provide many benefits when administered correctly, this doesn’t mean it comes without risks. Like any other medical treatment, there can always be potential side effects depending on individual cases and circumstances, such as age, allergies, existing health issues, etc.
Some people experience myopia, middle ear injuries, collapsed lungs, oxygen poisoning, low blood sugar, and more. It’s essential to consult with your doctor before undergoing the treatment, so they can assess whether this would suit you given your circumstances.
5. Only for Athletes
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy isn’t only for athletes. While athletes may benefit from increased performance due to improved circulation from HBOT sessions, this treatment may also help those suffering from chronic illness or injuries. HBOT can increase tissue healing speed and reduce inflammation, which could significantly improve those individuals’ quality of life.
A professional practitioner’s assessment will determine whether this would suit your particular situation/condition.
Facts About HBOT
Here are five facts about hyperbaric oxygen therapy that you should know.
1. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is Non-Invasive
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy does not involve any invasive procedures or medications. Instead, it increases the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream and tissues. This oxygen increase promotes healing by stimulating growth factors and providing additional oxygen to areas that need it most. The treatment is often used for wounds that don’t heal as quickly as expected or infections that don’t respond to antibiotics alone.
2. HBOT Helps Heal Bone Injuries
It can help heal bone injuries such as fractures and avascular necrosis (AVN). Increasing the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream can increase blood flow to areas where there may be reduced circulation due to injury or infection. This extra supply of oxygen helps stimulate healing, allowing damaged tissue and bones to repair themselves more quickly than they would otherwise.
3. It helps treat Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when the gas builds up in the bloodstream due to prolonged exposure to sources like car exhaust or faulty appliances. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help reduce symptoms associated with carbon monoxide poisoning by replacing poisonous molecules with fresh supplies of pure oxygen in the bloodstream. It helps reduce brain damage and other health complications caused by carbon monoxide poisoning.
4. May Treat Certain Types of Cancer
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is effective at treating certain types of cancer, such as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). It’s a malignant brain tumor that is particularly difficult to treat using conventional methods. By exposing tumors directly to higher oxygen concentrations, hyperbaric treatments can help slow down their growth rate or even shrink them entirely over time.
5. Can Help Treat Migraines and Other Neurological Conditions
Hyperbaric treatments are also helpful in treating various neurological conditions, such as migraines, vertigo, tinnitus, cerebral palsy (CP), and multiple sclerosis (MS).
By increasing blood flow and providing extra amounts of pure oxygen into affected brain areas where these conditions are active, hyperbaric treatments can help reduce symptoms while slowing down their progression.
Conclusion
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream and tissues, promoting healing by stimulating growth factors and supplying more oxygen to the neediest areas. Whether you are looking for a more effective way to treat an existing condition or want something new for your healthcare routine, consider giving hyperbaric treatments a try – you won’t regret it! With its non-invasive nature and wide-ranging benefits, HBO is a versatile medical treatment with many potential therapeutic applications.
