Age related general and chronic health conditions are on the rise particularly with the elderly. More and more people are seeking high-tech and non-invasive therapies that can aid recovery and add fresh energy.
Chronic wounds, mental deterioration, the lack of mobility, and the diminishment of the body are typical of the senior population today.
This has raised the concern of alternatives to traditional medicine and revived their interest in alternative therapies. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is one of such new and evidenced-based treatments. It is a highly advanced idea, yet a strikingly natural technique of healing and rejuvenation; a method of therapy that gives hope.
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy ?
In Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy a patient is placed inside a chamber, which is specially designed with a requirement of breathing 100% pure oxygen at higher than the normal atmospheric air pressure. This high pressure enables the lung capacity to take in excess oxygen that could not be achieved at sea level and this has greatly increased the amount of oxygen dissolved in blood.
The existence of a higher oxygen supply accelerates the repair process of the body, and helps in its tissue regeneration.
HBOT was initially used in the treatment of decompression sickness in divers but has now been known to be useful in the treatment of some other conditions as well. Treatment is currently carried out both in monoplace (single-person columns) and multiplace (columns with a multi-person capsule) according to the needs of the treatment.
Cellular Level Factors About Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
The effectiveness of the HBOT is explained by the fact that it is useful in increasing the flow of oxygen to the hypoxic or damaged tissues. The high oxygen concentration activates angiogenesis or the development of new vascular vessels, therefore enhancing blood flow in places that are weakened by an injury or illness.
More than that, HBOT regulates the immune response, favors the action of white blood cells, and enhances the production of growth factors and stem cells needed to mend a damaged body.
Moreover, the elevated levels of oxygen make it easy to eliminate metabolic wastes and to combat edema. All these processes are involved in accelerating healing and recovery in tissues that have low blood circulation.
HBOT used to treat Medical Conditions
There is a list of medical conditions for which the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of HBOT. These are among, but not all:
- Decompression sickness
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Chronic diabetic foot wounds
- Tissue destruction by radiation
- Gas gangrene
- Thermal burns
- Severe anemia
- Acute traumatic ischemia, such as crush injuries
In addition to these FDA approved applications, more studies are examining the possibilities of utilizing Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in off-label or investigational disciplines. They are traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-stroke rehabilitation, autism spectrum disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), post-COVID and fibromyalgia.
Although not being officially approved yet, the preliminary results in these areas are promising and should be investigated more.
What to Expect with the HBOT Process?
The Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is a medically controlled progressive process. The patients normally go into a transparent chamber and the pressure is slowly raised to 1.5-3 times normal atmospheric pressure. The sessions that usually involve 60 to 90 minutes can be repeated during a number of weeks, depending on the condition being treated.
Hardly in therapy, this distinctive feeling can be described as being in an aircraft ascending or descending, which in particular is an extreme pressure in the ears. This is relieved, normally, by swallowing or yawning. After treatment a person usually feels relaxed or slightly tired, but afterwards this effect passes and it does not indicate the necessity of a reason to worry.
Time and Cost HBOT
The sum of the treatment time fluctuates enormously depending on the disease being treated. Severe problems can only take a small number of sessions, choosing them by someone who has chronic problems could take 20 to 40 sessions plus. The sessions usually take place between 60 to 90 minutes and occur five days a week.
HBOT cost may also depend on the geographic area, facilities, and the source under which the therapy is administered under an FDA-approved indication or an off-label disease. In the US, a single visit costs, on average, between 200 and 1,000 dollars. Treatment of approved conditions will be compensated by insurance but off-label is commonly paid with out-of-pocket expense by the patient.
The advantages of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
The main benefit of HBOT is that it can be used to boost the intrinsic healing processes of the body. The following are some of the greatest advantages:
- Increased wound healing rates especially among people suffering from diabetes or poor circulation
- Improved brain performance and neuroplasticity among people with brain impairments
- Lessened inflammation in chronic situations
- Enhanced immunity process, which supports infection control
- Possible anti-aging effects due to stimulation of the cell repair processes
- Enhancement of energy strength and vitality
Such advantages precondition Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as an attractive alternative not only in the setting of a hospital but also in a wellness and rehabilitation centre.
Risks, side effects and safety precautions
Like any other medical intervention, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has risks. Barotrauma of the ears or sinus, normal changes in vision, and mild fatigue are the most common side effects. More severe and yet less frequent dangers are related to oxygen toxicity, barotrauma of the lungs and claustrophobia in the chamber.
Some people are discouraged from using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. The contraindications are untreated pneumothorax, some kinds of chemotherapy, upper respiratory infections, high fever, and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Before starting treatment a complete medical examination must be carried out.
The safety is significantly increased in case of HBOT applied with close medical supervision, with the facilities following the provided protocols and guidelines. Treatment should be obtained in accredited centers that deal with experienced staff.
To Whom Is HBOT Indicated?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can then be incorporated for patients who are faced with chronic wounds, post-surgery complications, radiation injuries, or nerve disorders. This modality can be offered to athletes who need a shorter recovery period after soft tissue damage and people who have to deal with constant exhaustion or long COVID. Also, patients in need of any of the adjunctive therapies for age-related cognitive decline or chronic pain related conditions can take HBOT along with traditional treatment methodologies.
HBOT should not be considered a universal remedy though. It needs to be considered case-to-case and it should be thoroughly consulted and diagnostically considered.
Wellness Clinics vs. Medical Centers of HBOT Applications
The difference between hyperbaric oxygen therapy provided in clinical institutions and those foreign in wellness or alternative health institutions is quite significant. The centers generally use higher-pressure chambers and treat conditions approved by the FDA under the supervision of physicians.
Conversely, wellness clinics can also present mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy (mHBOT), usually in soft-sided chambers and at lower pressures, serving mostly as general wellness and recovery.
As much as both settings may be therapeutic, the patients have to be discerning when choosing a provider. Some questions are:
Does the facility have a medical accreditation?
- Are the treatments in the control of licensed health practitioners?
- What kind of cavity is employed?
- How are emergencies to be handled?
The prospects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: The future trends of the hyperbaric oxygen therapy
New studies are still showing new ideas of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Research is underway into its potential in improving neuroplasticity, in delaying Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular health and perhaps even longevity by reducing oxidative stress. There are also technological advances that are creating portable hyperbaric chambers and easier-to-operate hyperbaric chambers which would give more access to treatment.
With the further development of using both alternative and traditional medicine, HBOT is at the dawn of great possibilities, offering evidence-based, non-intrusive treatments for various chronic and acute diseases.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is the medically exciting compromise of science and healing. The way it transports more oxygen to tissues in a pressurized state triggers a series of physiological reactions that help in the process of healing, minimizing inflammation, and improving overall fitness. HBOT has very high potential in preventing and treating complex and otherwise treatment-resistant conditions, although it should not be used by everyone.
HBOT is one of the safest types of adjunctive therapy supported by increasing scientific enthusiasm and is considered safe by many individuals seeking to explore adjunctive treatment options to chronic illnesses, neurological disorders or in the recovery of wounds. Qualified healthcare professionals should be consulted before making a related candidacy decision and achieve the best possible results.
