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. Under normal condition, the red blood cells will carry the oxygen throughout the body. With HBOT, oxygen is dissolved into all of the body fluids, saturating the plasma, the lymph, the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. These fluids will increase oxygen delivery to oxygen-deprived area, either by trickling past blockages or by seeping into the affected area. HBOT will enhances fibroblast activity, a cell that makes structural fibers and basic substance for connective tissue. At the same time results in improved wound healing, infection control, alleviations of tissue ischemia and blocking the toxic effects of carbon monoxide and cyanide. This extra oxygen helps the healing process. It enhances the white blood cells' activity in killing bacteria. It can stimulate the formation of new capillaries, the small blood vessels that connect arteries to veins, thus help the organs to function the way they should. In inflamed and swelling tissue, HBOT leads to constriction of blood vessel which can reverse the fluid loss into the tissues and reinstate normal lymphatic drainage, hence reducing the swelling without causing oxygen deprivation. Selected drugs become more effective with normalization of tissue oxygen or high partial pressure of oxygen. Before starting your treatment, you change into 100% cotton scrub suits, remove any metal and electrical objects, and have had a meal at least 2 hours prior to treatment. Upon entering the chamber try to position yourself and get comfortable. During the HBOT treatment phase, there is no noticeable difference from what one would feel while breathing oxygen in a normal environment. However, when the pressure in the chamber is increasing or decreasing, patients do experience the same feelings of pressure that airline passengers experience when their plane is changing altitude. These periods last five to ten minutes to allow for a safe, comfortable transition in atmospheric pressure. A trained technician will be present at all times to coach and assist patients in equalizing middle ear pressure. Each therapy session will last from 60-90 minutes. During the therapy session, patients will be allowed to watch television, listen to music from the in-house entertainment system, to bring in reading material or just take a nap! We hope to provide our patients with the best hyperbaric oxygen therapy experience and to achieve optimum health condition.