A hyperbaric oxygen chamber is one form of oxygen therapy that can be utilized for treating many diseases and conditions. It is very popular among athletes all over the world because it fastens their recovery and healing.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a therapeutic intervention that uses oxygen and high pressure. Usually, interventional oxygen is delivered at standard pressure. However, hyperbaric therapy involves placing the patient in a chamber that delivers oxygen at increased pressure for 1 or 2 hours. The benefit of such increased pressure is increased oxygen absorption by blood compared to normal atmospheric pressure.
What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a form of treatment that uses a hyperbaric oxygen chamber (1). It uses a unique environment of two factors:
- Pure concentration of oxygen of 100% compared to 21% room oxygen
- Increased pressure can exceed 1.4 atmospheres in a controlled container
Low oxygen concentration can lead to pathological stress
Low oxygen concentration at the tissue level is called hypoxia. It can make it impossible to meet your cell’s needs, and lead to pathological stress to the tissues. Hypoxia is closely linked to the development and progression of many health problems and diseases (2, 3).
Therefore, targeting oxygen levels is an emerging potential therapeutic approach to different conditions. In addition to its various health benefits, HBOT aids in the treatment of hypoxia-related complications. It helps your body heal.
Many treatments are available at the Healthy Longevity Clinic, and HBOT is among these options. Book your complimentary consultation today to know more about this. Our healthcare professionals will help you schedule your sessions, determine the best timeline and frequency for your treatment, and decide whether the HBOT is the right treatment for you after running the needed assessments and diagnosis.
2 types of HBOT
There are two types of hyperbaric oxygen chambers (4):
1. Mono-place hyperbaric chamber
The mono-place hyperbaric chamber can only fit one person at a time. The transparent chamber walls make it easy for the operator to monitor the patient inside. The person lies down inside the chamber. The one disadvantage of the mono-place hyperbaric chamber is that it may induce claustrophobia, an emotional reaction triggered by the fear of small or crowded places.
2. Multi-place hyperbaric chamber
This chamber is more like a room that can fit more than one person at a time. In addition, this chamber may also include a technician. Both treatments are the same, but in a multi-place hyperbaric chamber, you might breathe through a mask or hood.
Depending on the kind of service and purpose you need to achieve by HBOT, your doctor will choose one of these chambers for you. Other than the capacity, the two types differ in structure, how the oxygen is delivered, and some rules around how you prepare for them and what you are allowed to take with you.
For what is the HBOT used?
For the past years, the HBOT has been used for various conditions (5). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration agrees to the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to help treat the following conditions:
- arterial gas embolism
- decompression sickness
- severe carbon monoxide poisoning and smoke inhalation
- burns
- loss of hearing
- loss of vision
- surgical wounds
- gangrene
- anemia
- radiation injuries
- skin grafts
- infections
- crush injury
How does hyperbaric oxygen therapy work?
After our physicians approve your HBOT therapy, this is what happens:
- You will change into a hospital gown instead of your regular clothes and keep everything you came with outside the chamber, such as your phone, jewelry, and contact lenses. It would be best if you didn’t have lotions, makeup, nail polish, deodorants, hairsprays or oil, or perfumes for your safety.
- You will be using either of the chambers mentioned above. In a mono-place chamber, you’ll lie down in a tube-shaped machine, while in a multi-place chamber, you’ll sit upright in a chair and wear a mask over your head.
- Compressed air at increasing oxygen pressure will start flowing in the chamber about 2– 3 times higher than the normal pressure. At this time, your ears will feel as if they are plugged, and your blood will start carrying the extra oxygen where it is needed in your body.
- After approximately 2 hours, our HBOT technicians slowly decrease the pressure to match the room’s pressure.
- After leaving the chamber, follow the instructions given to you by our physicians and technicians.
5 Benefits of the hyperbaric oxygen therapy
HBOT is an effective therapeutic method that holds many benefits. In addition to the below-listed benefits, HBOT is a potential anti-aging and longevity tool. Studies show that hyperbaric oxygen therapy slows telomere shortening and cellular senescence, which are both considered hallmarks of aging (6).
1. Increased oxygenation and blood flow in the body
The increased pressure in the chamber allows the body to absorb more oxygen into the plasma, which induces the growth of healthy new cells and new blood vessels. HBOT also increases oxygen circulation, which helps in blood poisoning like carbon monoxide (4).
2. Enhance collagen production
HBOT can reverse skin aging by increasing the production of collagen. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. It is vital for the skin and other organs, like ligaments, tendons, and muscles (7).
3. Lowers pain and swelling in wounds
HBOT has decreased chronic and musculoskeletal pain, enhancing the quality of life in patients. Research shows that HBOT therapy increases the pain threshold and physical functionality and decreases tender pain points (8).
In addition, HBOT reduces swelling and accelerates healing by the increase in the flow of oxygen-rich plasma to the site of injury. HBOT may improve the chance of healing diabetic foot ulcers in one year and reduce the risk of major amputations (9, 10).
4. Plays a role in treating cancer
Some studies show that HBOT can inhibit the growth of tumor cells. Also, it can reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation exposure (11).
5. Boosts the immune system
High oxygen levels in the blood will improve the efficiency of the immune response. HBOT has been shown to alleviate autoimmune symptoms (12).
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a therapeutic intervention that uses oxygen and high pressure. Usually, interventional oxygen is delivered at standard pressure. However, hyperbaric therapy involves placing the patient in a chamber that delivers oxygen at increased pressure for 1 or 2 hours. The benefit of such increased pressure is increased oxygen absorption by blood compared to normal atmospheric pressure.
What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a form of treatment that uses a hyperbaric oxygen chamber (1). It uses a unique environment of two factors:
- Pure concentration of oxygen of 100% compared to 21% room oxygen
- Increased pressure can exceed 1.4 atmospheres in a controlled container
Low oxygen concentration can lead to pathological stress
Low oxygen concentration at the tissue level is called hypoxia. It can make it impossible to meet your cell’s needs, and lead to pathological stress to the tissues. Hypoxia is closely linked to the development and progression of many health problems and diseases (2, 3).
Therefore, targeting oxygen levels is an emerging potential therapeutic approach to different conditions. In addition to its various health benefits, HBOT aids in the treatment of hypoxia-related complications. It helps your body heal.
Many treatments are available at the Healthy Longevity Clinic, and HBOT is among these options. Book your complimentary consultation today to know more about this. Our healthcare professionals will help you schedule your sessions, determine the best timeline and frequency for your treatment, and decide whether the HBOT is the right treatment for you after running the needed assessments and diagnosis.
2 types of HBOT
There are two types of hyperbaric oxygen chambers (4):
1. Mono-place hyperbaric chamber
The mono-place hyperbaric chamber can only fit one person at a time. The transparent chamber walls make it easy for the operator to monitor the patient inside. The person lies down inside the chamber. The one disadvantage of the mono-place hyperbaric chamber is that it may induce claustrophobia, an emotional reaction triggered by the fear of small or crowded places.
2. Multi-place hyperbaric chamber
This chamber is more like a room that can fit more than one person at a time. In addition, this chamber may also include a technician. Both treatments are the same, but in a multi-place hyperbaric chamber, you might breathe through a mask or hood.
Depending on the kind of service and purpose you need to achieve by HBOT, your doctor will choose one of these chambers for you. Other than the capacity, the two types differ in structure, how the oxygen is delivered, and some rules around how you prepare for them and what you are allowed to take with you.
For what is the HBOT used?
For the past years, the HBOT has been used for various conditions (5). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration agrees to the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to help treat the following conditions:
- arterial gas embolism
- decompression sickness
- severe carbon monoxide poisoning and smoke inhalation
- burns
- loss of hearing
- loss of vision
- surgical wounds
- gangrene
- anemia
- radiation injuries
- skin grafts
- infections
- crush injury
How does hyperbaric oxygen therapy work?
After our physicians approve your HBOT therapy, this is what happens:
- You will change into a hospital gown instead of your regular clothes and keep everything you came with outside the chamber, such as your phone, jewelry, and contact lenses. It would be best if you didn’t have lotions, makeup, nail polish, deodorants, hairsprays or oil, or perfumes for your safety.
- You will be using either of the chambers mentioned above. In a mono-place chamber, you’ll lie down in a tube-shaped machine, while in a multi-place chamber, you’ll sit upright in a chair and wear a mask over your head.
- Compressed air at increasing oxygen pressure will start flowing in the chamber about 2– 3 times higher than the normal pressure. At this time, your ears will feel as if they are plugged, and your blood will start carrying the extra oxygen where it is needed in your body.
- After approximately 2 hours, our HBOT technicians slowly decrease the pressure to match the room’s pressure.
- After leaving the chamber, follow the instructions given to you by our physicians and technicians.
5 Benefits of the hyperbaric oxygen therapy
HBOT is an effective therapeutic method that holds many benefits. In addition to the below-listed benefits, HBOT is a potential anti-aging and longevity tool. Studies show that hyperbaric oxygen therapy slows telomere shortening and cellular senescence, which are both considered hallmarks of aging (6).
1. Increased oxygenation and blood flow in the body
The increased pressure in the chamber allows the body to absorb more oxygen into the plasma, which induces the growth of healthy new cells and new blood vessels. HBOT also increases oxygen circulation, which helps in blood poisoning like carbon monoxide (4).
2. Enhance collagen production
HBOT can reverse skin aging by increasing the production of collagen. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. It is vital for the skin and other organs, like ligaments, tendons, and muscles (7).
3. Lowers pain and swelling in wounds
HBOT has decreased chronic and musculoskeletal pain, enhancing the quality of life in patients. Research shows that HBOT therapy increases the pain threshold and physical functionality and decreases tender pain points (8).
In addition, HBOT reduces swelling and accelerates healing by the increase in the flow of oxygen-rich plasma to the site of injury. HBOT may improve the chance of healing diabetic foot ulcers in one year and reduce the risk of major amputations (9, 10).
4. Plays a role in treating cancer
Some studies show that HBOT can inhibit the growth of tumor cells. Also, it can reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation exposure (11).
5. Boosts the immune system
High oxygen levels in the blood will improve the efficiency of the immune response. HBOT has been shown to alleviate autoimmune symptoms (12).
1. Edwards ML. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Part 1: history and principles. Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex : 2001). 2010;20(3):284-8.
2. Bhutta BS, Alghoula F, Berim I. Hypoxia. StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing
Copyright © 2023, StatPearls Publishing LLC.; 2023.
3. Chen PS, Chiu WT, Hsu PL, Lin SC, Peng IC, Wang CY, et al. Pathophysiological implications of hypoxia in human diseases. Journal of biomedical science. 2020;27(1):63.
4. Ortega MA, Fraile-Martinez O, García-Montero C, Callejón-Peláez E, Sáez MA, Álvarez-Mon MA, et al. A General Overview on the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Applications, Mechanisms and Translational Opportunities. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania). 2021;57(9).
5. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Get the Facts. 2021.
6. Hachmo Y, Hadanny A, Abu Hamed R, Daniel-Kotovsky M, Catalogna M, Fishlev G, et al. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases telomere length and decreases immunosenescence in isolated blood cells: a prospective trial. Aging. 2020;12(22):22445-56.
7. Hachmo Y, Hadanny A, Mendelovic S, Hillman P, Shapira E, Landau G, et al. The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the pathophysiology of skin aging: a prospective clinical trial. Aging. 2021;13(22):24500-10.
8. Pejic W, Frey N. CADTH Rapid Response Reports. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for the Treatment of Chronic Pain: A Review of Clinical Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness. Ottawa (ON): Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health
Copyright © 2018 Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health.; 2018.
9. Kranke P, Bennett M, Roeckl-Wiedmann I, Debus S. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for chronic wounds. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews. 2004(2):Cd004123.
10. Kranke P, Bennett MH, Martyn-St James M, Schnabel A, Debus SE, Weibel S. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for chronic wounds. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews. 2015;2015(6):Cd004123.
11. Moen I, Stuhr LE. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and cancer--a review. Targeted oncology. 2012;7(4):233-42.
12. Saito K, Tanaka Y, Ota T, Eto S, Yamashita U. Suppressive effect of hyperbaric oxygenation on immune responses of normal and autoimmune mice. Clinical and experimental immunology. 1991;86(2):322-7.
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