Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO) is a medical treatment in which the entire body is exposed to 100% oxygen under increased atmospheric pressure. Initially used as a treatment for underwater divers with the "bends,” hyperbaric oxygen has been  shown to be effective in treating a variety of diseases.  There are about 500 hyperbaric chambers throughout the United States. One of these chambers is located at Preventive Medicine Group in Cleveland where James P. Frackelton, M.D. acquired the first chamber in the city of Cleveland in 1977.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is useful for any condition involving wounds which are difficult to heal. It helps oxygenate tissue that would not otherwise receive sufficient oxygen because of poor circulation or tissue damage. It also promotes small blood vessel growth which improves circulation. Examples of conditions that would benefit from this treatment are burns, diabetic ulcers, gangrene, compromised skin grafts and surgical sites, tissue damage from radiation, traumatic injuries in which blood flow is reduced and other problem wounds that naturally heal slowly. The extra concentration of oxygen also helps white blood cells kill bacteria and thus can be useful in bacterial infections, soft-tissue infections and persistent inflammation of bone marrow. Conventional uses for HBO also include decompression illness or the bends, carbon monoxide poisoning, smoke inhalation, exceptional blood loss or severe anemia, and air bubbles in the blood stream. The treatment has also been used for diabetics and people with sickle-cell anemia. Some multiple sclerosis patients respond favorably to HBO therapy as do stroke patients, patients with cerebral palsy and those with brain injury. HBO is used routinely abroad to treat circulatory or brain complications related to AIDS, multiple sclerosis, heart attacks and other conditions. In some cases, HBO is used together with chelation therapy for the treatment of arteriosclerosis and its clinical manifestations of senility due to cerebral vascular insufficiency, stroke, heart disease and peripheral vascular occlusive disease.

Hyperbaric oxygen chambers come in different sizes and shapes, but commonly are a long plastic tube into which the patient is inserted and the tube is sealed for treatment. Atmosphere at sea level exerts approximately 14.7 pounds per square inch of pressure on the body. This is considered one atmosphere of pressure. During HBO treatments, this pressure is increased an additional one to two atmospheres, resulting in the body being super-saturated with oxygen. Increasing the atmospheric pressure disperses the oxygen in body tissues and fluids in a much higher concentration than if a person were to breathe the same concentration of oxygen under normal room conditions.

During HBO treatments, 100% oxygen is circulated in the chamber for the patient to breathe. Gradually, the atmosphere in the chamber is increased to the prescribed therapeutic level. There are three phases in each treatment: compression, treatment and decompression. Hyperbaric treatments are painless, but during the compression stage there may be a feeling of “fullness” in the eardrums in response to the change of pressure that is similar to that which occurs when flying. Once the prescribed pressure is reached this feeling ceases. Many people report experiencing a sense of well-being or euphoria during treatment. Others rest, sleep or listen to relaxing music. Near the end of the treatment, the pressure is gradually decreased. During this phase, patients may experience a “popping” in the ears similar to what happens when one drives up a mountain. Treatment times and frequency vary from patient to patient but usually are about 1 hour and involve a series of treatments.

If you are interested in further information on hyperbaric oxygen therapy for yourself or someone you know, contact Preventive Medicine Group or stop by anytime during our office hours and a staff member can show you the Hyperbaric Oxygen chamber.