All about HBOT: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric therapy, also known as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), is a medical treatment that involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized room or chamber. It’s used to treat a variety of conditions, from serious infections to bubbles of air in your blood vessels, and wounds that won’t heal due to diabetes or radiation injury. The increased pressure and oxygen levels help your blood carry more oxygen to organs and tissues to support healing.

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Why Is HBOT Performed?

As per Mayo Clinic – Your body’s tissues need an adequate supply of oxygen to function. When tissue is injured, it requires even more oxygen to survive. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases the amount of oxygen your blood can carry. With repeated treatments, the temporary extra high oxygen levels encourage normal tissue oxygen levels, even after the therapy is completed.

What happens during HBOT procedure?

As per Hopkins Medicine – Only a healthcare provider should prescribe HBOT. A number of hospitals offer these chambers. People relax, sit, or lie comfortably in these chambers and take deep breaths. Sessions can last from 45 minutes up to 300 minutes, depending on the reason for the treatment.”

Your ears may feel plugged as the pressure is raised, like when you’re in an airplane or the mountains. Swallowing or chewing gum will “pop” the ears back to normal.

Your blood carries the extra oxygen throughout the body, infusing the injured tissues that need more oxygen so they can start healing. When a session is done, you may feel lightheaded. Mild side effects include claustrophobia, fatigue, and headaches. Always have someone drive you home after HBOT.

Several sessions are often needed, so check beforehand to see whether your insurance company, Medicaid, or Medicare covers the cost.

Risks of hyperbaric oxygen therapy

As per FDA –

Because of the increased pressure and increased concentration of the oxygen during HBOT, potential risks include:

Ear and sinus pain
Middle ear injuries, including tympanic membrane rupture
Temporary vision changes
Lung collapse (rare)

References and Additional Information

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