The human body is designed to naturally heal from injury with little external help under appropriate conditions. Hyperbaric oxygen chambers create these conditions by delivering 100% oxygen in a pressured environment. The combined impact of oxygen and pressure offers a healing power to the body, which improves performance, reduces inflammation, heals injuries, and decreases the recovery period.
During hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the patient enters a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. After this, the pressure inside the tube or chamber is increased to reach a higher level, such as 2.2 ATA. Once that is achieved, pure oxygen is inhaled by the patient, which increases oxygen concentration in the body.
The reason why HBOT increases oxygen in the body is that it allows bodily liquids to dissolve oxygen and transport it easily to diseased sites. Since the pressure is increased, the oxygen gas dissolves in lipids, cerebral spinal fluids, and plasma. As a result, diseased tissues, cells, and organs in our body receive appropriate oxygen.
When we are injured, our body heals the diseased site with the help of oxygen. Hence, it plays a major role in the correct functioning of our brain and body. If our body is not able to deliver the proper amount of oxygen to these diseased tissues and cells, inflammation stays and recovery is slow. A hyperbaric oxygen chamber improves this flow and allows natural healing inside the body.
Types of Hyperbaric Oxygen Chambers
When you are considering HBOT therapy, you need to understand the types of hyperbaric oxygen chambers available. Based on this distinction, you can select the right hyperbaric oxygen chamber for yourself.
Monoplace
A monoplace hyperbaric oxygen chamber is a unit for one person. It can only treat one person at one time, at increased pressure and pure oxygen, for a designated time. The patient breathes medical-grade 100% oxygen inside this chamber for 60-90 minutes. A technician monitors the entire session to help the patient in case of any issue.
Multiplace
A multiplace hyperbaric oxygen chamber is a unit that can accommodate more patients; usually 10 at one time. This unit is more advanced, as it is equipped with comfortable recliners, walking space, and entertainment units. At the time of the session, a technician accompanies the patient in this chamber as well to regulate atmospheric pressure and other factors.
Soft
A soft hyperbaric oxygen chamber is a soft unit made from canvas or polyurethane bags. It can only reach a lower pressure than a monoplace or multiplace chamber, and it can deliver 21% oxygen, not medical grade oxygen. Users who purchase a chamber for home use, generally prefer purchasing a soft chamber. However, its usage can vary, so understand the functioning to avoid risks.
Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
HBOT is a powerful treatment as it provides the environment and energy to heal wounds and help the body retain its strength. Explore the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen chambers.
Antimicrobial
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves oxygen concentration, which leads to a strengthened immune system. As a result, infection-causing microbes are reduced in the body.
It is a common notion that HBOT can increase free radicals considering its prime action. However, the therapy stimulates enzymes that lead to an increase in natural antioxidants in the body, which again improves the ability to fight infection and disease.
Anti-Inflammatory
At the time of the therapy, HBOT clears the inflammatory pathways in our body and reduces fluid leakage from blood vessels. This decreases swelling and inflammation in the short term.
Similarly, when regularly received, the therapy can help in reducing the impact of genes that causes inflammation. With the reduction in inflammation, our strength and body don?t degrade with age or time.
The benefit of HBOT?s anti-inflammatory action is strengthened mitochondrial function and immune responses.
Hyper-Oxygenating
As discussed in the sections above, HBOT increases oxygen concentration in the body. This is why hyperbaric oxygen chambers are also able to reverse hypoxia naturally. It offers optimum oxygen to tissues and cells that are damaged or at high risk.
Due to this impact, HBOT has found its application in severe COVID-19 cases as well. the therapy reverses oxygen and provides an appropriate oxygen supply to organs and tissues.
Neovascularization
Hyperbaric oxygen chambers are also able to promote new blood vessel growth in the human body. This enhances circulation and encourages revitalized tissues to function properly even when the HBOT session has concluded.
Mitochondrial Functioning
Mitochondria are known as cell batteries of our body, as it creates adenosine triphosphate. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy promotes the creation of ATP, which means our body gains the ability to store energy for several cellular processes.
Mitochondrial support of HBOT is particularly helpful when any patient has suffered cellular injury or damage. With this injury, their ATP production is threatened. However, HBOT can reverse this damage through proper oxygen supply and improved mitochondrial functioning.
Conclusion
Hyperbaric oxygen chambers are designed to offer a simple non-invasive therapy that helps in the treatment of many illnesses, such as CO poisoning, decompression sickness, Alzheimer?s, autism spectrum disorder, etc. Understand its benefits, explore the procedure, and select the right chamber. It would be best to consult a doctor to understand which hyperbaric oxygen chamber is suitable for your treatment.
