Oxygen is the elixir of life, and what better than Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) to reinforce the idea?
That being said, HBOT is nothing new to the world of medical science.
Initially adopted to treat decompression sickness in deep-sea divers, HBOT soon found its way into mainstream treatment for a string of disorders:
- Gas embolism
- Gangrenes
- Acute Anemia
- Sudden Vision Loss
- Necrosis
- Diabetic Foot Ulcers
- Crush injuries
The past few years have shown a steady demand for portable hyperbaric chambers.
In this post, we talk about nine significant benefits of undergoing HBOT.
Accelerating oxygenation across tissues
Oxygen is integral to cell growth and functionality.
The air we breathe has about 21 percent of oxygen, whereas, inside the hyperbaric chamber, you get to breathe 100 percent.
When the therapy begins, the air pressure inside a portable hyperbaric chamber increases gradually, not more than 2-3 ATM. That way, it allows maximum oxygen absorption into the plasma, helping to grow new tissues wherever required. No wonder medical researchers vouch for HBOT in reversing acute conditions like carbon monoxide or cyanide poisoning.
As the oxygen saturates the blood, it boosts the poisonous gasses out of the bodily tissues faster, lowering the chance of blockage.
Promoting Angiogenesis
Angiogenesis is the medical term for new blood vessels tracing back to the vascular system. These blood vessels essentially support healthy tissue growth and deliver nutrients to deprived cells via oxygen-rich blood.
A portable hyperbaric chamber facilitates Angiogenesis by boosting the oxygen supply to heal open wounds, especially in diabetic ulcers.
Speeding collagen growth
From skin to other vital organs, collagen plays a crucial role as an abundant form of protein.
Collagen is present throughout connective tissues, including tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Studies have shown how individuals using portable hyperbaric chambers were able to stimulate the growth of collagen.
Most evident in conditions like compromised or falling skin grafts and radiation injuries following terminal diseases like cancer.
Helping wounds heal faster
Any second-degree infection or trauma leaves serious wounds that won't heal otherwise.
The underlying blood vessels, when damaged, release fluids into the surrounding tissue fibers, thereby leading to the swelling of cells. Soon, the wound starts decaying as oxygen deprivation occurs.
Patients who can't seem to move much or have been reduced to bed following an accident can help benefit from using a hyperbaric chamber. The oxygen-rich plasma helps reduce swelling as it floods the tissues with essential nutrients to speed up closing by triggering the endothelial cells.
Reducing the effect of toxins
When building immunity and resisting infection, HBOT boosts oxygen flow within the blood to help flush out toxins.
The same goes for bacteria entering certain unwanted regions, like the spinal cord, bones, and even the brain. When left untreated, things can go pretty nasty. The bacteria gets exposed to increased oxygenation during an HBOT session, which helps arrest the growth.
Besides, using a portable hyperbaric chamber at regular intervals can boost WBCs and render them efficient in citing early infection and elimination.
Reducing swelling and pain
Using portable hyperbaric chambers has come a long way from being restricted to treating decompression sickness.
Today, it is one of the foremost choices for a range of cases involving swelling and inflammation, particularly in musculoskeletal disorders.
Research participants across studies reportedly experienced an increase in pain threshold along with a reduction of severe pain across tender joints.
Field injuries for athletes typically give way to swelling, which, when treated via a portable hyperbaric chamber, allows oxygen-rich blood plasma to react directly on the wound site. This, in turn, revitalizes tissues in case of deep wounds where the bone gets exposed, and the flesh surrounding is in a state of necrosis.
Reducing hindrance from gas-bubbles
Any air or gas bubble accumulating within the bloodstream can lead to fatality. For deep sea divers and coal miners, such cases are being reported every other day as they tend to work below sea level. Thus, when the individual returns to working at sea level, the nitrogen bubbles enter the bloodstream, thereby disrupting normal blood flow. Things could get as critical as blocked arteries, leading to stroke or heart attack.
A portable hyperbaric chamber shrinks the gas bubbles and ultimately dissolves them within the bloodstream. Soon after, the pressure within the chamber is lowered, and the individual feels like resurfacing.
Preventing reperfusion injuries
A reperfusion injury involves damage to a tissue that has been oxygen-deprived for a long time and reacts negatively when the blood flow is restored.
During a typical crushing injury, the blood vessels get clamped off, hindering blood flow. Now, the amount of oxygen required to initiate the healing of the tissues is within the blood.
When the body takes on a sudden injury, it releases a bunch of molecules leading to significant damage to the surrounding tissues. As a result, the tissues experience inflammatory cytokines, further preventing healthy blood flow and accounting for necrosis.
With a portable hyperbaric chamber, it is possible to trigger the free radicals towards eliminating those harmful molecules near the injury site. These tiny blood vessels work towards transferring the much-needed oxygen to facilitate tissue healing.
Improving symptoms of TBI
Whether it's a car accident, sudden fall, or slip, thousands globally suffer from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). In most cases, the symptoms are recurring and can miserably affect the lives of the affected.
Usually, symptoms of TBI are hard to fight. The underlying reason in most cases is oxygen deprivation, and several ongoing research studies have confirmed the efficacy of HBOT in improving TBI symptoms to a large extent.
Wrap Up
From dealing with chronic pain, long-lasting infections, and severe wounds, HBOT packs a punch with a multitude of benefits.
While several patients find it hard to access HBOT at a local medical center, a portable hyperbaric chamber can be a great alternative.
Nevertheless, the outcome has a lot to do with factors like the site of injury, age of the patient, and comorbidity.
Thus, get a detailed consultation with your healthcare provider before you start using a portable hyperbaric chamber.