Hyperbaric oxygen is a medical therapy that delivers oxygen to heal several injuries in the body. According to a pioneer authority in hyperbaric oxygen, when oxygen is under high pressure, it can work as drug to be able to treat different kinds of diseases, whether it is common or a chronic condition.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy works by enclosing a person in a small room, while increasing the pressure inside the room by giving pure oxygen. It is very important for normal functioning of the body processes. Oxygen is being carried into the lungs where it is flows through the blood and it supplies oxygen into the whole body.

HBO therapy is being divided into two categories, the emergency condition or the acute and the chronic condition. This therapy has the ability to stop inflammation and infection of the tissue. It oxygenates the tissue that needs sufficient supply of oxygen.

Acute conditions like air embolism where rapture of the lungs happen due to accidental injection of oxygen inside the artery during certain medical procedures, carbon monoxide poisoning, and gas gangrene which usually occurs during wound and trauma. This procedure should be applied right after the injury or before an infection starts. It can be a life saving device if given immediately.

Another one is chronic or stable condition. These conditions, HBOT are used to stimulate and revive the growth of new tissue around the damaged part of the body. This is done by releasing a growth and repair hormone that can help in the regeneration of the new tissue. Conditions that can be treated by HBOT are chronic bone infection, non healing wound due to diabetes, and wound due to inflammation of a certain blood vessel in the body. This therapy will generate the growth of new blood vessels.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be obtained traditionally in a hospital. Individuals who want to undergo this kind of process can also contact a wound care division on hospital campuses. A lot of these medical facilities can treat both chronic and acute condition. Now, HBO treatment has been more convenient and efficient to patients who want to try hyperbaric treatment. The establishment of many freestanding clinics makes all of these things possible. Although these clinics are not that equipped to treat conditions that requires immediate attention, they focused more on treating chronic conditions. A lot of these freestanding clinics treat neurological conditions such as chronic stroke, cerebral palsy, and autism. There are around 800 freestanding clinics centers in the United States and they are all ready to serve people who need hyperbaric treatment.

However, all hyperbaric oxygen treatment centers should require the presence of an attending physician. Because this treatment requires drug and medical procedures, there is always a high risk and side effect that should be evaluated by a doctor before having the treatment.

A physician should always be present at the start of the treatment for inspection and continuous assessment of the patient’s condition. Those who want to undergo this treatment must be aware of the side effects. One of the most common side effects is the trauma of the middle ear because of the high pressure and temporary near sightedness.

Jason Ladock

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