How Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) Work?
At the core of HBOT is the principle of delivering oxygen at higher atmospheric pressures, which results in significantly increased oxygen concentration in the bloodstream. Under normal conditions, oxygen is primarily carried by hemoglobin. At 1 ATM (atmosphere at sea level), our oxygen is carried by hemoglobin. We normally hear about a saturation of 98-100%. This is the saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen. However, in a hyperbaric environment (usually 1.7- 2.5 ATM - roughly equivalent to 24 - 30 feet underwater), oxygen dissolves directly into plasma, allowing higher amounts to reach tissues that may be compromised, especially in areas of poor circulation or ischemia. At 2.0 ATM - there is roughly 6x the amount of oxygen in the blood compared to our what our blood carries normally.
The physiological benefits of HBOT are multi-faceted:
- **Enhanced oxygen delivery:** Tissue oxygenation improves dramatically, promoting angiogenesis, collagen synthesis, and wound healing, particularly in chronic non-healing wounds.
- **Reduction in inflammation:** The therapy helps down-regulate pro-inflammatory cytokines while promoting anti-inflammatory responses, making it beneficial in conditions like diabetic ulcers or radiation injuries.
- **Enhanced immune response:** HBOT stimulates the activity of leukocytes, enhancing the body’s natural defense mechanisms, which can be pivotal in infections like necrotizing fasciitis or osteomyelitis.
- **Promotes tissue repair:** By modulating oxidative stress and increasing fibroblast activity, it supports faster recovery in soft tissue and bone.
While it’s not a panacea, the physiological basis of HBOT provides significant therapeutic potential in diverse conditions such as carbon monoxide poisoning, traumatic brain injuries, and even certain neurodegenerative diseases, where oxygen delivery is crucial.
If you have patient with any of the above conditions - you can send a referral here or send me an email or whats app me. hbot@peakhuman.ca , 437-925-6530
HyperbaricO2 (www.hyperbaricO2.ca), a hyperbaric oxygen therapy clinic that is a Simple And Non-Invasive Treatment That Expedites Recovery for a number of conditions.
The good news is that treatment is covered by OHIP for the following conditions:
CONDITIONS COVERED BY OHIP
• Non-healing wounds including diabetic foot ulcers, non-healing surgical wounds
• Delayed radiation injury such as injury to the bladder or gut after cancer therapy)
• Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (idiopathic)
• Exceptional blood loss
• Air or gas embolism
• Carbon monoxide poisoning and/or cyanide poisoning (from inhaling smoke or car exhaust)
• Gas gangrene (clostridial myositis and myonecrosis)
• Crush injury, compartment syndrome, and other acute traumatic ischemias (such as frostbite)
• Decompression sickness ("the bends")
• Intracranial abscess
• Necrotizing soft tissue infections (flesh eating disease)
• Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
• Skin grafts and flaps (compromised) • Thermal burns
WHAT IS HBOT?
HBOT (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy) involves breathing in oxygen pressurized by up to 3 times higher than normal oxygen pressure.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
By providing oxygen under higher pressure, approx 5-10 x more oxygen is dissolved into the plasma and is available to the tissues in the body. Normally courses of 15-20 treatments are required for resolution of the condition
To learn more about HBOT and what Peak Human can offer, visit us at www.hyperbarico2.ca
239 Queen SE • Unit 19 Brampton • ON L6W 2B6 PHONE 437-925-6530 FAX 905 459 6373 hbot@peakhuman.ca