Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Blood is made up of three main components: white cells that fight infection, red blood cells that carry oxygen, and plasma, the fluid that carries both kinds of cells throughout the body. Under normal circumstances, only the red blood cells carry oxygen. However, because HBOT forces oxygen into the body under pressure, Oxygen dissolves into all of the body’s fluids, including the plasma, the Lymph, the cerebrospinal fluids surrounding the brain and spinal cord. These fluids can carry the extra oxygen even to areas where circulation is poor or blocked, either by trickling past the blockages or by seeping into the affected area.

This extra oxygen helps in the healing process and enhances the white blood cells’ ability to fight infection. It can promote the development of New Capillaries, the tiny blood vessels that connect arteries to veins. It also helps the body build new connective tissue. In addition, HBOT helps the organs function in a normal manner.

As we age, we can lose vital lung capacity and the ability to effectively obtain adequate Oxygen. Some disease conditions impair oxygen utilization. In addition, with injuries or conditions where there is swelling or edema, this causes pressure within the tissue, which cuts off circulation flow. For years, conventional medicine thought of HBOT only as a treatment for decompression sickness........

However, this is about to change the scope of medicine as never before. The Use of HBOT is becoming increasingly common in general practice as more doctors become acquainted with new applications. Doctors now realize that HBOT has other uses, including the treatment of non-healing wounds, Carbon Monoxide poisoning, various infections, damage caused by radiation treatments, near- drowning, near-hanging, brain and nerve disorders, cardiovascular disorders; and some digestive system disorders.It is important to realize that, in most cases, HBOT is best used when combined with other treatments such as physical therapy and or surgery.

In the USA, the situation stands in marked contrast with many other countries, where HBOT is used for a much wider range of conditions. Multiple Sclerosis patients have banded together in Britain to create their own network of Hyperbaric Chambers. Centers in China treat more than 100,000 patients each year for a multitude of medical conditions.

International Congress of Hyperbaric Medicine (ICHM) has approved indications for which Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO2) is the primary mode of treatment or an important adjunct to other medical measures.

1. oCarbon Monoxide, Ammonia, Hydrogen Sulphide, Chemical and Petroleum Gas Poisoning.

2. oAccident Head Injuries and other Acute Traumatic Injuries in traffic accidents. 3.o Thermal and Chemical Burns. 4. oAir/Gas Embolism and Nitrogen Narcosis in Scuba Diving Accidents. 5. oDecompression Sickness in Deep Sea Diving (bends). 6. oExceptional Blood Loss Anaemia. 7. oDiabetic Foot and Pressure Ulcers. 8. oNon-Healing Problematic Wounds. 9. oOsteoradionecrosis in Radiotherapy of Cancer Patients. 10. Ostomyelitis (Refractory) in Cancers. 11. Plastic Surgery (Skin Grafts and Flaps). 12. Clostridial Myositis and Myonecrosis (Gas Gangrene) in Post-Surgery Cases. 13. Intracranial Abscess and Encephalitis due to Virus Infections. 14. Strokes and Neurological Disorders. 15. Cerebral Palsy in Near Drowning, near Hanging, Forceps Babies, Autism and Dyslexia. 16. Multiple Sclerosis. 17. Ophthalmological Problems like Retina Detachment or Central Retinal Artery Occlusion (CRAO). 18. Anti-Ageing Treatment. 19. Cosmetic Value Treatment (Michael jackson’s Therapy). 20. Athletic Sports Medicine and Aero Medicine.

Therapeutic effects of Hyperbaric oxygen: Related to the ability of oxygen tension under hyperbaric conditions to:

Promote Cellular proliferation (e.g.restoration of Fibroblast growth and enhancement of osteoclast activity in tissue healing). Reverse Hypoxia in coma patients. Alter Ischemic effects (short supply of oxygen). Influence Vascular Reactivity (e.g. decrease in White Blood Cell adherence to capillary walls). Reduce edema (Swellings). Modulate Nitric Oxide production. Modify Growth Factors (IGF) and Cytokine effect by regulating their levels of receptors in wound healing. Induce changes in membrane proteins affecting on exchanges and gating mechanisms (e.g.preservation of ATP in cell membranes). Accelerate Collagen deposition in tissue healing. Stimulate capillary budding & arborization (Increase capillary proliferation in tissue healing). Accelerate microbial oxidative killing (enhancement of Leucocytes-killing activity in HIV-AIDS patients). Improve selected antibiotics exchange across tissue membranes. Interfere with bacteria propagation by denaturing toxins (suppression of Alpha-toxin production in gas gangrene of problematic wounds). Modulate Immune System Response (stimulation of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) production). Enchance Oxygen Free Radical Scavengers (decrease Ischemia-Reperfusion injury; termination of Lipid Peroxidation in Carbon Monoxide, Chemical and Petroleum Gas Poisoning).