Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a medical treatment in which the entire body is placed under increased atmospheric pressure and the patient breathes 100% oxygen. This treatment is administered in a pressurized chamber which causes a 10-fold increase in blood oxygen concentration with a resulting increase in tissue oxygenation. This hyperoxygenation allows tissues throughout the body to heal much more rapidly then usual, this is especially helpful in treating tissues that might not heal at all. HBOT helps the body heal more than 3 times faster and better then normal healing.

Normally, a molecule called hemoglobin which is part of our red blood cells, carries oxygen within the blood. Once the hemoglobin molecules within the red blood cells are saturated with oxygen the amount of oxygen they hold cannot be increased. Normally, the liquid surrounding the red blood cells which is part of your blood, called plasma, is not able to physically dissolved any oxygen. However, when oxygen pressure increased to the pressure levels associated with HBOT, oxygen can be to a significant degree be dissolved in the plasma. This effect created by HBOT allows oxygen to be delivered to tissues both by red blood and plasma. Now tissue areas which in the past could not be reached by red blood cells alone, area where tissues need oxygen to heal, where there are compromised circulation conditions, can now get sufficient oxygen to begin, maintain and promote essential healing processes.

Many medical problems have been shown to benefit greatly from HBOT. Some of the most dangerous problems are infected wounds and ulcers (especially in diabetics), poor circulation and vascular problems, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic foot injuries and infections, diabetic nephropathy, head and spinal cord injuries, strokes, transient ischemic attacks (TIA), certain anemias, AIDS, allergies, arthritis, sports injuries, multiple sclerosis, autism, cerebral palsy, senility, cirrhosis, osteomyelitis, necrotizing fasciitis, burns, chronic fatigue, Lymes disease, migraine headaches, gastrointestinal ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, radiation-induced bladder infections or bleeding, treat complications of certain types cancers, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, and recovery from plastic surgery and other surgical procedures. It has been used for years saving many lives, pain and suffering from decompression sickness (bends), carbon monoxide poisoning, traumatic crushing injuries, and burns. While acute problems are usually treated in the hospital, non-acute problems can be treated right in our office with our own HBOT unit. HBOT offers a unique therapeutic benefits that often cannot be achieved by any other method of treatment.

Besides hyperoxygenating the blood, HBOT is beneficial for a multitude of other reasons. White blood cells (WBC's) that kill bacteria and attack viruses are by far more efficient at clearing infections when they are exposed to HBOT. This is particularly valuable in treating bone or tissue infections such as osteomyelitis, gangrene, flesh eating bacteria or MRSA, which might otherwise would result in amputation or extensive debridement surgeries and deformities. HBOT can prevent tissue loss, need for radical surgeries and prevent deformities, if started immediately. This is especially true after accident, crush injury or in patients with diabetes.

HBOT causes narrowing of the small and large blood vessels (vasoconstriction) thereby decreasing swelling and build up of excess water within the body tissues (edema) and this is beneficial for post surgical recover, cosmetic and plastic surgery, to help minimize scaring and improve the results of the healing process. New growth of blood vessels (neovascularization) is increased which is necessary to prevent amputation of limbs from gangrene. Neovascularization also helps decrease stroke symptoms that are caused by a lack of oxygen to the parts of the brain affected by the stroke damage.

HBOT has been approved to be used in addition to conventional treatment for the prevention and treatment of hemorrhagic cystitis and osteoradionecrosis, a term for delayed bone damage caused by radiation therapy.

All in all, HBOT is a proven treatment for a large number of medical and surgical conditions, either as a primary treatment or in addition to other medical or surgical treatments.

Even though you might not need HBOT now, it is important to remember the potential benefit of this therapy. HBOT can help with healing, recovery and function from: stroke, slow-healing wounds, spider bites and bacterial infections, neurological diseases such as M.S. and Parkinson’s, radiation necrosis, head injuries, chronic fatigue and Lymes disease, and recovery from surgeries, including plastic/cosmetic procedures. Unfortunately, many physicians are not aware of the benefits of HBOT or its availability. They might not think of recommending it to you. Don’t dely or reduce your ability to heal if you do not have to, come see us for a consultation if you think that you might be a candidate. Call us and discuss this with the hyperbaric clinic or technician.

For a complete list of conditions HBOT is used to treat, click here.

Prior to initiating HBOT each prospective candidate must have a medical consultation and evaluation for HBOT. A comprehensive medical history and, if indicated, a complete physical examination may be needed. The candidate must have a recognized indication and be free of any contraindications to undergoing HBOT. If HBOT is indicated a prescription for HBOT will be generated.

For a list of Contraindications for HBOT, click here.

For information on Cancer Treatment and Hyperbaric Oxygen, click here.

To read an E-Medicine Medscape article on Hyperbaraic Qxygen, click here.

For information from the Mayo Clinic on Hyperbaric Qxygen Therapy, click here.

While most hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) chambers are primarily housed in large medical centers, there are many community-based HBOT units available across the US. The Preventive Medicine Clinic in Palm Springs has one of the few hyperbaric chambers which medically supervised by trained physicians right here in the Coachella Valley. It is  available to you for elective use in helping you to solve or prevent any of the medical problems listed above. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an important treatment of which the healthcare consumer should be aware. For a schedule of free educational lectures about hyperbaric oxygen therapy and a tour of our facility, please call 760-320-4292.