Our body has an incredible way to heal independently, given the right nourishment and time. However, certain impairing like air bubble in the blood, severe infections, or surgical wounds and scars don’t heal by themselves at times, and the body might need external help. In such cases, HBOT can aid immensely.
HBOT stands for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. This process requires the patient to breathe 100% oxygen in a special atmospheric pressurized chamber. Inhaling pressurized oxygen enables the oxygen to get dissolved in the blood plasma, which takes the oxygen level in the blood to four times than normal.
Why would you breathe so much concentrated oxygen?
Generally, the air that we intake has only 21% of oxygen. Therefore, increasing the level of oxygen intake not only has immediate short-term benefits but is also beneficial for the long term. The process results in innumerable advantages to the body, generating energy and suppressing upcoming inflammation in the body.
HBOT is majorly used to heal chronic wounds or infections like carbon monoxide poisoning, gangrene, or wounds that do not reconcile due to acute diabetes. So, in other words, HBOT helps the body to cure such persistent suffering and augments the body for a better revival. Along with increasing the body oxygen level to 1200%, it also leads to multiple benefits like ascended blood flow, stem cell mobilization, reduced inflammation triggering tissue regeneration.
What are the other occasions when HBOT treatment is used?
- Brain Abscess
- Severe Anemia
- Burns
- Crushing injury
- Acute skin or bone infection
- Radiation injury
- Sudden and painless vision loss
- Sudden deafness
- Traumatic head injury
In the United States, HBOT therapy has been in usage since the 1940s, when it was first used for the treatment of military divers.
Now, in India, too, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is being considered frequently for treating various illnesses. It has thus garnered quite a lot of popularity in our country as well.
Benefits of HBOT that has made it a popular illness therapy in India
Beneficial amount of oxygen in the body
HBOT helps with hyperoxygenation. In normal conditions, only RBCs carry oxygen to the entire body, but HBOT therapy allows the lungs to absorb excess oxygen, which is then transported to the body’s fluids throughout the body.
Increased blood flow
Due to the pressurized oxygen chamber, your blood flow increases automatically. So, to fight the tissue damage in your body and to elevate your health condition, it is very important that there is a good amount of blood flow in your body. This blood flow is directed according to the medical condition you are suffering from. For instance, if you have a brain injury, you will be given more oxygen towards your brain.
Formation of new collagen
HBOT is a great therapy for regenerating connective tissues, skin cells, and stimulating blood vessels. Therefore, HBOT can be extremely advantageous for people with open burns, stubborn wounds, and skin grafting.
Improves immunization
With its unique treatment of increasing blood flow with excess oxygen, HBOT helps strengthen immunity. With this therapy, you attain improved functionality of White Blood Cells. Hence, it aids you in warding off infections, viruses, illnesses, or foreign bacteria from attacking your immune system.
Anti-inflammatory benefits
The cause of inflammation in our body is the leakage of fluids from our blood vessels. HBOT supports in controlling the blood vessels from losing too much fluid. As a result, it prevents our body from degrading early, thereby delivering longevity to our lives.
How is HBOT beneficial for sportspeople?
- Increased endurance
- Better performance
- Improved mitochondrial function
- Prevents early fatigue
- Reduces the instances of muscle inflammation and soreness
During HBOT process
After your physician is done with your diagnosis and is sure that there are no contraindications, you will be asked to get into the oxygen chamber. When you move down to the prescribed depth, you hear an ear-popping yet pleasant sound during the entire session. Once done, the technician takes your vitals.
Risks are rare if HBOT therapy is undergone at a specialized center like Poona Preventive Cardiology Center. Our trained team of technicians provides thorough guidance at every step, ensuring utmost safety and efficiency.
The Chief Editor & Author of the Compendium, also ‘The Nutraceutical Man of India’; Mr. Sandeep Gupta has described HBOT as a trustworthy and simple-to-use resource for doctors, pharmacists, nutritionists, health enthusiasts, and literally every person out there who aspires to a healthier life.