Hyperbaric medicine, also known as hyperbaric oxygen therapy is
the medical use of oxygen at a higher than atmospheric pressure. Hyper
means increased and baric relates to pressure. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
(HBOT) refers to intermittent treatment of the entire body with
100-percent oxygen at greater than normal atmospheric pressure. The
earth's atmosphere normally exerts about 15 pounds per square inch of
pressure at sea level. That pressure is defined as one atmosphere
absolute (1 ATA). In the ambient atmosphere we normally breathe
approximately 20 percent oxygen and 80 percent nitrogen. While
undergoing HBOT, pressure is increased up to two times (2 ATA) in 100%
oxygen.
This increased pressure, combined with an increase in
oxygen to 100 percent, dissolves oxygen in the blood plasma and in all
body cells, tissues and fluids at up to 10 times normal
concentration-high enough to sustain life with no blood at all (from 20%
to 100% oxygen is an increase of 5 times, from 1 ATA to 2 ATA can
double this to a 10-fold increase).
Some of the many amazing benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Therapy are that it :
* greatly increases oxygen concentration in all body tissues, even with reduced or blocked blood flow;
*
stimulates the growth of new blood vessels to locations with reduced
circulation, improving blood flow to areas with arterial blockage;
*
causes a rebound arterial dilation, resulting in an increased blood
vessel diameter greater than when therapy began, improving blood flow to
compromised organs;
* stimulates an adaptive increase in
superoxide dismutase (SOD), one of the body's principal, internally
produced antioxidants and free radical scavengers; and,
* aids the treatment of infection by enhancing white blood cell action.
The
use of increased atmospheric pressure for medical therapy has intrigued
many physicians and scientists for hundreds of years. Though not new,
HBOT has recently gained importance for treatment of chronic
degenerative health problems related to atherosclerosis, stroke,
peripheral vascular disease, diabetic ulcers, wound healing, cerebral
palsy, brain injury, multiple sclerosis, macular degeneration, and many
other disorders. Wherever blood flow and oxygen delivery to vital organs
is reduced, function and healing can be aided with HBOT. When the brain
is injured by stroke, CP, or trauma, HBOT may activate stunned parts of
the brain to restore function.
Results can be dramatic. Patients
with cerebral vascular disease commonly recover from complications of
stroke more readily after HBOT. This is also true for potentially
gangrenous legs and feet caused by blocked circulation, and for
slow-healing diabetic ulcers. HBOT relieves pain, helps fight infection,
and keeps threatened tissues alive.
One of the world's most
experienced authorities on hyperbaric medicine Dr. Edgar End, clinical
professor of environmental medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin
had this to say : "I've seen partially paralyzed people half carried
into the HBOT chamber, and they walk out after the first treatment. If
we got to these people quickly, we could prevent a great deal of
damage."
Hyperbaric Oxygen Chambers. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy helps
Autism, Cerebral Palsy, MS, Parkinsons, Athletic Performing, healing of
wounds, used as immune defense and much more.
