HBOT is a medical treatment approved by the FDA to treat many conditions and injuries that benefit from increased oxygen levels in the tissues. It works as a stand-alone therapy or a procedure that enhances the action of medications, including antibiotics.
What is the downside of HBOT?
It has been shown to promote the growth of new blood vessels in damaged tissues, helping the body restore a healthy supply of oxygen. This is particularly important in wounds that do not heal or are slow to heal because of a lack of blood flow and/or oxygen (e.g., Clostridial myonecrosis, Fournier’s gangrene, radiation cystitis, and diabetic ulcers). HBOT benefits also enhances the body’s natural antimicrobial activity by increasing the number of free radical scavengers and other natural antioxidants in the plasma.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is also being used to improve cognitive function and the quality of life in patients who have suffered traumatic brain injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other brain and nerve disorders. HBOT has been shown to stimulate the development of new neurons, improve memory and cognition, reduce inflammation in the brain, and enhance neuroprotection.
HBOT is available at certified clinics and hospitals, and some health clubs. It is also being sold as a home device in large, zippered bags that have been cleared by the FDA for use in treating altitude sickness. However, these “home HBOT” devices are not approved for use with any type of oxygen tank or oxygen concentrator and are subject to suffocation and fire hazards. It is important that you get your HBOT treatments at a certified facility. Talk to your doctor about the benefits of HBOT and whether it may be right for you.