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The effects of high oxygen pressure on the function of the various organs can be “myriad”. These include for example: suppression of alpha-toxin production in gas gangrene, enhancement of leukocyte killing activity, restoration of fibroblast growth and collagen production, preservation of energy in cell membranes with secondary reduction in tissue edema, suppression of selected immune responses, increased capillary proliferation, removal of carbon monoxide from hemoglobin, etc. |
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Hyperbaric Medical Center
of Montecito
105 West Mission St.
Santa Barbara, CA. 93101
(805) 563-0450
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WHAT IS HYPERBARIC OXYGEN?
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) is a medical therapy where the patient breathes pure oxygen under increased atmospheric pressure inside of a chamber.
Using pure oxygen under increased pressure, the body's natural ability to heal from traumas, diseases and other afflictions is enhanced and in many cases is accelerated.
The concentration of pure oxygen dissolved into the bloodstream is dramatically increased with virtually no energy expenditure. In addition to the blood, all body fluids - including the vital lymph and cerebrospinal fluids are infused with the healing benefits of this molecular oxygen. This hyperbaric oxygen can then:
- Reach bone and tissue
- Enhance white blood cell function, and
- promote the formation of new capillary and peripheral blood vessels.
The result is increased infection control, and faster healing of a wide range of conditions.
Placing the patient in a hyperbaric chamber raises oxygen tensions up to 10 times above their normal level. Higher percentage of oxygen is dissolved in plasma, and then the plasma is capable of carrying enough oxygen to meet the needs of the body’s injured tissues. The overall effect is that the hemoglobin is still fully saturated of oxygen for longer periods of time.
HBOT dosage, which is prescribed by the attending physician for each patient's particular needs, consists of the following measures:
1) Pressure (1.5 atmospheres absolute),
2) Duration of each treatment (60-120 minutes), and
3) Frequency of treatments (depends of the diagnosis)
Hyperbaric oxygen treatments are non-invasive and painless, and side effects are rare. Fewer than 2% report slight discomfort from ear pressure, similar to that experienced during air travel. When administered by accredited physicians and certified technicians HBOT is safe and extremely effective. During treatment, the patient can rest comfortably; they can enjoy listening music or watching a movie in a portable DVD player.
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