Last updated on 07 April 08

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Hyperbaric medicine, also known as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is the medical use of oxygen at a higher than atmospheric pressure. Hyperbaric is the only technique available to overcome the natural limit of oxygen solubility in blood. The hyperbaric procedure is done in specially designed chambers that permit the delivery of 100% oxygen at ambient pressures that are greater than atmospheric. This allows dissolved oxygen in the blood and clear fluids to be increased by up to 20 times normal levels. This additional oxygen in solution is almost sufficient to meet tissue needs without contribution from oxygen bound to hemoglobin and is responsible for most of the beneficial effects of this therapy. Hyperbaric is the only technique available to overcome the natural limit of oxygen solubility in blood. The hyperbaric procedure is done in specially designed chambers that permit the delivery of 100% oxygen at ambient pressures that are greater than atmospheric. This allows dissolved oxygen in the blood and clear fluids to be increased by up to 20 times normal levels. This additional oxygen in solution is almost sufficient to meet tissue needs without contribution from oxygen bound to hemoglobin and is responsible for most of the beneficial effects of this therapy. In simple words, HBOT is breathing 100% oxygen, under pressure. Using universal gas law, pressure will force the gas to dissolve not just in the red blood cells, but also in the white blood cells and the lymphatic. As we're made up of about 75-80% fluid, more oxygen will be supplied to the oxygen-deprived area (the injured area) via these fluids. An oxygen deficiency in some part of the body can cause many bad things to happen. There may be a break down of the nervous system. Swelling around a broken bone may restrict the blood supply it needs to repair itself. The slowly changing structure of cells that is caused by aging can make them less efficient and more prone to break down. A bacterial infection may strike with such force that the body' immune system is overcome. The list can go on. Hyperbaric Oxygen treatments can help the body to overcome these problems. Broken bones will heal in about one-third of the normal time. Neuro-circuits in the brain may reconnect. Bacteria and fungus can be killed. That wonderful immune system in our body can be jump-started and fueled into action.