Learning About Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

What is it?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a treatment that helps healing. It's used to increase the oxygen level in your blood. This can prevent tissue death, promote healing, and help fight infection. You sit or lie down in an enclosed chamber. The pressure inside the chamber is raised. Then 100% oxygen is given.

Why is HBOT done?

HBOT can prevent tissue death and promote healing. It's often used to treat conditions such as:

• Carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Decompression sickness from scuba diving.

It may also be used for:

• Poorly healing wounds.
• Some types of infection.
• Burns.
• Extreme blood loss.
• Injuries that cut off the oxygen supply to muscles and other soft tissue.
• Injuries from inhaling heat, smoke, or harmful chemicals.
• Injury from radiation treatment.

How long does it take?

Each treatment session lasts about 45 minutes to several hours. After treatment, the pressure in the tube or chamber is lowered slowly while you rest inside.

How is it done?

In HBOT, the air pressure is raised to about three times the normal air pressure. Then you are given 100% oxygen. The higher air pressure allows your lungs to take in more oxygen than they can under normal air pressure.

HBOT can be done in two ways. You may lie down on a stretcher. The stretcher slides into a clear acrylic tube about 7 ft (2.1 m) long and 25 in. (64 cm) across. The pressure is raised in the tube, and the tube fills with oxygen. Or you may sit in a large chamber that can hold two or more people. A mask or hood is used to give you oxygen at high pressure.