Specialties
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Understanding Hyperbaric Therapy
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is an advanced medical treatment that involves breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber, significantly increasing the amount of oxygen delivered to the body's tissues. This environment allows the body to absorb more oxygen, experience accelerated tissue repair, infection reduction, and enhanced recovery. Initially used to treat decompression sickness in divers, HBOT has proven effective in addressing a wide range of conditions, including:
- Diabetic wounds (unresponsive to treatments after 30 days)
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Cyanide poisoning
- Reduced blood flow in the arteries, acute or traumatic
- Compromised skin grafts and flaps
- Bone infections (osteomyelitis)
- Flesh-eating disease (necrotizing soft tissue infections)
- Gas gangrene
- Delayed radiation injury
- Air bubbles in blood vessels
- Wounds challenging to heal
How Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Work?
In the hyperbaric chamber, the air pressure is elevated 2 to 3 times higher than normal. When you breathe 100% oxygen in a pressurized environment, your body’s blood supply carries this extra oxygen to areas with reduced blood flow, creating a powerful catalyst for healing. The extra oxygen not only combats bacteria but also stimulates the release of growth factors and stem cells, fostering a healing response.
Why Should You Consider Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
HBOT is increasingly recommended by healthcare providers for its proven ability to:
- Promote faster healing: Especially for wounds that don’t heal well, such as those seen in diabetes and peripheral vascular disease.
- Reduce chronic pain and inflammation: Effective for conditions like arthritis and sports injuries.
- Support recovery after surgery or trauma: Helps patients recover from surgical wounds or injuries more quickly.
- Improve oxygenation in the body: Vital for patients suffering from compromised circulation or oxygen-deficient tissues.
- Aid in the management of chronic infections: Particularly where standard antibiotics may not be effective.
Health care providers may recommend HBOT for various conditions, including: severe anemia, brain abscess, burns, carbon monoxide poisoning, and non-healing wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers.
What to Expect During Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
A typical session lasts 90 to 120 minutes, and conducted on an outpatient basis.
During the therapy session, you may experience:
- A fullness in the ears, similar to what you feel during air travel, as your body adjusts to the increased pressure.
- A feeling of relaxation or slight fatigue, as your body responds to the enhanced oxygen levels.
HBOT often requires multiple sessions for optimal results, depending on the specific medical condition being treated. Your healthcare provider will customize your treatment plan to fit your needs and ensure you receive the most benefit from each session.
Our Hyperbaric Therapy Expert
Timothy Hursh, M.D, MPH, CWS
Dr. Timothy Hursh has dedicated his career to helping patients heal when conventional treatments fall short. A board-certified specialist in wound care, hyperbaric medicine, and aerospace medicine, Dr. Hursh has cared for patients in both military and civilian settings.
Potential Risks of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
While complications are rare, potential risks include middle ear injuries, temporary nearsightedness, lung collapse, seizures, and, in certain circumstances, fire due to the oxygen-rich environment.
Your healthcare team will carefully monitor you during each session to minimize these risks and ensure your safety. At Hoskinson Health and Wellness Clinic, our highly trained professionals ensure that safety protocols are followed to minimize risks, and we monitor all patients closely throughout their treatment.
If you are suffering from a condition that may benefit from HBOT, or need more information, consult with our healthcare provider to discuss whether this therapy may be right for you.