What is Hyperbaric Oxygen

"The positive powers of hyperbaric oxygen are really a modification of God's gift to man." - Dr. Richard A. Neubauer, M.D., Medical Director, Ocean Hyperbaric Neurologic Center


"Hyper" means an increase in the quantity or quality of something; "baric" means pressure. Combined with "oxygen," these two terms add up to one of the most exciting new developments in medicine: hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). 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.


A Brief History
HBOT has been in use since the mid-1800s. It began when an anesthesiologist postulated that by increasing the levels of oxygen in operating rooms, patients would be able to heal faster. Unfortunately, while there were some modest benefits, HBOT began to be touted as a universal cure-all, and more. It was promised to do everything from restoring men's hair to enlarging women's breasts - yet it failed to deliver. This was the start of the "bad press" that HBOT received, some of which carries on to this day. The more accepted uses of HBOT through most of this century have been in relation to saving the lives of SCUBA divers stricken with decompression sickness, or "the bends" (a potentially fatal condition, that occurs when the diver returns to the surface too quickly).


HBO Today
During modern HBOT, the patient breathes pure, 100% oxygen under increased atmospheric pressure. The air we normally breathe contains only 19-21% of this essential element; via HBOT, the concentration of pure oxygen dissolved into the bloodstream is dramatically increased (up to 2,000%), 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 oxygen can then: (a) reach bone and tissue which are inaccessible to red blood cells, (b) enhance white blood cell function, and (c) 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.

HBOT requires a prescription, and is approved by the American Medical Association (AMA), the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), and Medicare. It is typically used as part of an overall medical treatment plan, for various diseases or injuries associated with hypoxia, or a lack of oxygen on a cellular level. It is at this cellular tissue level where all life takes place. While HBOT is sometimes used as a primary emergency treatment, it is more often applied as a cost-effective adjunctive or enhancement therapy.

When administered by accredited physicians and highly trained technicians, HBOT is extremely safe and effective. New profit-oriented centers, however, have been increasing in number, and often do not have trained technicians or medical physicians on site. These centers should be avoided. While HBOT's popularity is increasing in the United States, it is used much more extensively in Europe and the Orient. In fact, in some areas of Italy, a physician may actually have his or her license revoked for neglecting to utilize HBOT!


Oxygen, The Basis of Life
Human beings can survive without food for weeks, and without water for days - but only minutes without oxygen. Oxygen is the basis of life. Used appropriately, it can mean the difference between life and death, coma and mental alertness, paralysis and movement, illness and health.

It has long been understood that healing cannot be achieved without sufficient oxygen levels in the tissues, where most illnesses and injuries occur and often linger. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can provide this oxygen, naturally and virtually risk free.

"The positive powers of hyperbaric oxygen are really a modification of God's gift to man." - Dr. Richard A. Neubauer, M.D., Medical Director, Ocean Hyperbaric Neurologic Center


How is HBOT Administered?
A patient undergoing HBOT spends a prescribed amount of time in one of several types of enclosed delivery units: (1) Monoplace, which are cylindrical, body-length chambers, or (2) Multi-Person Chambers, which can accommodate up to 36 adults. In each type of unit, pure oxygen is administered while atmospheric pressure is increased, and controlled under closely monitored conditions.

HBOT dosage, which is prescribed by the attending physician for each patient's particular needs, consists of the following measures: (1) Pressure (one to three atmospheres absolute), (2) Duration of each treatment (60-120 minutes), and (3) Frequency of treatments.

Oxygen inhalation treatments are non-invasive and painless, and side effects are rare and minimal. Fewer than 5% report slight discomfort from ear pressure, similar to that experienced during air travel. During treatment, the patient can rest comfortably, listen to music, or watch television.

There is no recovery period with HBOT, so patients can resume their daily activities almost immediately. As overnight stays are not required, all treatment is on an outpatient basis.


How is the Effectiveness Measured
Most people are familiar with MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and CAT (computerized axial tomography) scans, which are superb at depicting structural anatomy. However, neither is designed for or is capable of measuring the brain activity.

A specialized tool, the SPECT (single photon, emission-computed tomography) scan, has been proven effective in this task - and it is the primary tool OHNC employs to objectively measure the effectiveness of HBOT on patients. Specifically, SPECT scanning show actual brain functioning, in visual terms. It can help doctors to see how blood is flowing through different areas within a patient's brain, visualize brain metabolism, and make a better diagnosis of his/her condition.

During SPECT scanning, a radioactive "tracer" agent is injected into a vein in the hand or arm. The tracer localizes in an area of the brain where it can then be "photographed." Only viable tissue can absorb the tracer, which breaks down harmlessly within a few hours. A special gamma camera aimed at the head pinpoints the position and energy of photons emitted, as the tracer disintegrates. As inert (dead) cells do not absorb the tracer at all, SPECT scanning can distinguish between living and dead (necrotic) tissue. SPECT scanning can also identify between recoverable brain cells (referred to as sleeping cells, idling neurons, or the ischemic penumbra). If the living brain tissue is determined to be recoverable, or in an electrically inactive or idling state, HBOT may substantially and/or permanently revive them.