If you’ve heard about the impressive effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), you may wonder if it’s right for you. HBOT is a specialized medical treatment where patients breathe pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. It’s known for its healing and therapeutic properties when treating certain medical conditions. Learn which patients benefit the most from hyperbaric oxygen therapy and consider ongoing research for other potential uses.

FDA-Cleared HBOT Treatments

As of 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has declared hyperbaric chambers safe and effective for treating the following disorders:

• Non-healing wounds: Stubborn wounds, especially diabetic foot ulcers, respond well to hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
• Radiation injury: Radiation cancer treatment can damage the surrounding tissues. HBOT helps heal radiation tissue damage more quickly.
• Skin grafts and flaps: HBOT can provide high oxygen levels to improve the success rate of skin grafts and flaps.
• Certain infections: Skin and bone infections may benefit from HBOT, as this therapy enhances the body’s ability to fight bacteria and heal faster.
• Anemia: For anemic patients who can’t receive blood transfusions, HBOT provides an alternative way to increase oxygen in the blood.
• Burns: Burns damage the skin’s ability to take in oxygen. HBOT promotes healing by boosting oxygen delivery to damaged tissue.
• Carbon monoxide poisoning: HBOT effectively treats carbon monoxide and other types of blood poisoning. It works by replacing the CO gas in your blood with oxygen.
• Crush injury: Injuries involving pressure on a body part can cause severe swelling that cuts off blood flow. HBOT reduces inflammation and feeds oxygen to the affected tissue.
• Decompression sickness: Commonly associated with scuba diving, decompression sickness (or “the bends”) occurs when you ascend too quickly, causing nitrogen gas bubbles to form in the blood. HBOT combats this to reduce the associated muscle and joint pain.
• Gas bubbles in blood vessels: This condition, known as arterial gas embolism, can be life-threatening. HBOT reduces the size of the bubbles and improves oxygen delivery to soft tissues.
• Gas gangrene: This is a severe form of gangrene where gas accumulates in tissues. HBOT kills the bacteria that cause gas gangrene and improves oxygen supply to the affected area.
• Sudden vision loss: If you experience sudden, painless vision loss in one eye due to a blocked blood vessel, HBOT might be a treatment option.
• Sudden hearing loss: If you experience sudden, complete hearing loss without any known cause, HBOT can sometimes restore your hearing.

Ongoing Studies for New Uses of HBOT

Medicine is continually evolving, meaning the FDA may approve new uses for HBOT once sufficient research and testing has been performed. Some of the most promising applications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy currently being explored include:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Crohn’s Disease
• TBI/PTSD
• Autism
• Bone infection
• Brain Injuries & Concussions
• Cerebral palsy
• Gangrene
• Lyme disease
• Migraine headache
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Post-COVID recovery
• Pre- and post-surgery care
• Sports injuries
• Stroke
• General wellness

Why Choose Baromedical Associates, LLC?

For your safety, you should only receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy from a qualified provider. Baromedical Associates, LLC, is a leader in the field of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Our patients receive the most advanced and effective treatment in the largest clear, FDA-approved, single-person hyperbaric chambers. We attract patients worldwide who travel to our clinics in the Dallas Metro area to receive state-of-the-art care. If you think HBOT might be right for you, contact us today for more information.