Exploring a Powerful Treatment That Uses Pure Oxygen to Heal the Body
When you think of healing, oxygen might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But in the world of modern medicine, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is proving to be a powerful tool in treating a wide range of serious conditions from chronic wounds to carbon monoxide poisoning.
By delivering pure oxygen in a pressurized environment, HBOT enhances the body’s natural healing processes in ways that regular breathing simply can’t. In this article, we’ll explain what HBOT is, how it works, when it’s used, and what to expect from a typical treatment session.
What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that involves breathing 100% oxygen in a specially designed pressurized chamber. The air pressure inside the chamber is 2 to 3 times higher than normal atmospheric pressure, allowing your lungs to absorb much more oxygen than they would at sea level.
This extra oxygen enters your bloodstream and is carried throughout your body, where it:
- Promotes faster healing of tissues
- Fights infection more effectively
- Reduces inflammation and swelling
- Stimulates the growth of new blood vessels
HBOT is a non-invasive and generally painless procedure, often used as part of a broader medical treatment plan.
How Does HBOT Work?
Under normal conditions, oxygen is carried in your blood by hemoglobin. But during HBOT, the high-pressure environment allows oxygen to dissolve directly into the plasma, lymph, and other fluids even in areas where blood flow may be reduced or blocked.
This hyperoxygenation can:
- Reach damaged or oxygen-deprived tissues
- Enhance white blood cell activity to fight bacteria
- Support the formation of collagen and new blood vessels
- Reduce edema (swelling) and inflammation in injured tissues
These effects make HBOT especially useful in wound healing, infection control, and emergency situations where tissue survival is at risk.
What Conditions Can HBOT Treat?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and many international health authorities approve HBOT for specific medical conditions. Common indications include:
Approved Uses:
- Chronic non-healing wounds, especially diabetic foot ulcers
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Decompression sickness (commonly seen in divers)
- Air or gas embolism
- Radiation tissue damage (such as after cancer treatment)
- Severe infections like necrotizing fasciitis
- Crush injuries and compartment syndrome
- Thermal burns
- Skin grafts and flaps at risk of failure
- Osteomyelitis (bone infection) that doesn’t respond to antibiotics
Emerging or Investigational Uses:
- Sudden hearing loss
- Stroke recovery
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome
- Post-COVID-19 complications
(These applications are still being studied and are not universally approved.)
What Happens During an HBOT Session?
A typical HBOT session involves:
- Entering the chamber: You’ll lie or sit inside a monoplace (single person) or multiplace (group) hyperbaric chamber.
- Pressurization: The chamber is slowly pressurized with pure oxygen or compressed air.
- Breathing oxygen: You will either breathe directly from the chamber or through a hood/mask delivering 100% oxygen.
- Duration: Most sessions last between 60 to 90 minutes.
- Decompression: Pressure is gradually reduced at the end to avoid discomfort.
You may feel fullness in your ears (like during a flight), but the process is otherwise painless and closely monitored by trained medical staff.
Are There Any Side Effects?
HBOT is generally safe, but like any medical treatment, it may have risks or side effects, including:
- Ear discomfort or barotrauma (due to pressure changes)
- Temporary vision changes (mild nearsightedness that resolves after treatment)
- Sinus pain
- Fatigue or lightheadedness after a session
- Rarely: oxygen toxicity or lung barotrauma (in patients with underlying lung disease)
Patients are always evaluated before treatment to ensure safety and eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How many sessions are needed?
It depends on the condition being treated. Some emergency cases (like carbon monoxide poisoning) may need only 1–2 sessions, while chronic conditions (e.g., diabetic ulcers) may require 20–40 sessions or more.
2. Is HBOT covered by insurance?
In many countries, insurance covers HBOT when used for approved conditions. Coverage for investigational uses may vary and require pre-authorization.
3. Can I feel claustrophobic inside the chamber?
Some people may feel confined, especially in monoplace chambers. However, chambers are usually transparent, and staff maintain communication throughout. Multiplace chambers offer more space and comfort for anxious patients.
4. Can HBOT be combined with other treatments?
Yes. HBOT is typically used alongside standard treatments, such as antibiotics, wound care, or surgery, to improve outcomes.
5. Who should not receive HBOT?
HBOT may not be recommended for people with:
- Untreated pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
- Certain lung diseases (e.g., COPD with CO₂ retention)
- Recent ear or sinus surgery
- Fever or upper respiratory infections
All patients are carefully screened before treatment.
A Breath of Healing: Why Oxygen Matters
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy takes something as essential and natural as oxygen and turns it into a powerful therapeutic tool. By delivering it under pressure, HBOT reaches damaged tissues, fights infection, and promotes healing where standard treatments fall short.
At Erdem Hospital, our hyperbaric medicine team combines advanced technology with over 37 years of clinical expertise to offer HBOT for both emergency and chronic conditions. Whether you’re recovering from a complex wound, facing the effects of radiation, or seeking innovative support for healing, we’re here to help you breathe easier literally and figuratively.