Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric medicine, also known as hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the medical use of oxygen at a higher than atmospheric pressure. Hyper means increased and baric relates to pressure. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) refers to intermittent treatment of the entire body with 100-percent oxygen at greater than normal atmospheric pressure. The earth’s atmosphere normally exerts about 15 pounds per square inch of pressure at sea level. That pressure is defined as one atmosphere absolute (1 ATA). In the ambient atmosphere, we normally breathe approximately 20 percent oxygen and 80 percent nitrogen. While undergoing HBOT, the pressure is increased up to two times (2 ATA) in 100% oxygen.

This increased pressure, combined with an increase in oxygen to 100 percent, dissolves oxygen in the blood plasma and in all body cells, tissues and fluids at up to 10 times normal concentration—high enough to sustain life with no blood at all (from 20% to 100% oxygen is an increase of 5 times, from 1 ATA to 2 ATA can double this to a 10-fold increase).

Some patients experience claustrophobia when they’re inside the hyperbaric chambers and people with diabetes may experience a drop in blood sugar during treatment, so they should eat before entering the chamber and monitor their blood glucose levels.

The standard treatment time of 60 – 90 minutes can have a positive impact. Our chamber comes with a dim interior light to allow patient relaxation, while still allowing them to read a book. Electronic forms of entertainment (tablets, smartphones, etc.) are perfectly safe to use inside the chamber.