Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

HBOT involves the patient breathing medical grade oxygen through a mask or hood. Since oxygen is considered a drug by the FDA, patients must obtain a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional for these therapeutic treatments. Normal atmospheric pressure (at sea level) is 1 atmosphere (1 ATM). Patients receive HBOT in a pressurized hyperbaric chamber. During treatment, the chamber pressure gradually increases to about 2 – 2.5 x normal atmospheric pressure (2 – 2.5 ATA).

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    HBOT

    How does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Work?

    Our cells need oxygen to heal and stay healthy, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases oxygen levels by nearly 1200% during treatments. Increased atmospheric pressure and breathing 100% medical grade oxygen results in increased partial pressure of oxygen in our tissues by almost 20-fold, supersaturating the blood(1).

    Such an increase in oxygen causes elevated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), which have been demonstrated to regulate thousands of genes(2, 3). These genes control growth factors, cytokines, and hormones; HBOT regulates them in a way that reduces inflammation, increases stem cell availability, forms new blood vessels, and defends against bacteria(3, 4).

    HBOT Helps Grow New Blood Vessels

    New Blood Vessel Formation

    Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has been shown to stimulate the formation of new blood vessels via processes called angiogenesis and vasculogenesis(5). In angiogenesis, HBOT increases the synthesis of growth factors that cause existing cells to form new blood vessels(6). In vasculogenesis, HBOT increases causes the formation of completely new blood vessels by mobilizing stem cells from the bone marrow(5). New blood vessels help transport nutrients and oxygen to injured tissue and facilitate healing which otherwise might not have taken place.

    Increases Stem Cell Production

    Increased Stem Cell Activity

    Stem cells have the potential to develop into many types of cells in the body, providing the body with an innate regenerative system. HBOT increases the release of stem progenitor cells (SPC’s) from bone marrow to peripheral circulation(8, 9). Such SPC’s are critical for forming new blood vessels (neovascularization), which has countless benefits, especially for injured tissue(7). Additionally, recent research revealed that certain SPC’s can form nearly any type of cell in the body, suggesting promise for their use in treating degenerative and inherited diseases (10,11).
    Decreases Inflammation

    Decreased Inflammation

    In many diseases, the body responds to physiological issues by increasing its inflammatory response. Although this is necessary to some extent, certain cytokines (such as IL-1, IL-6) can cause serious problems when over-produced(12). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been shown to decrease systemic inflammation in the body(13). Research has demonstrated that HBOT does this by increasing the expression of anti-inflammatory genes and decreasing the expression of inflammatory genes(12,14). This results in a lowered inflammatory response that prevents further tissue damage and facilitates healing of inflamed tissue.
    HBOT is Antibacterial & Antimicrobial

    Antibacterial & Antimicrobial

    Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is known to increase the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS), molecules which have a direct antimicrobial effect on certain bacteria(15). Elevated ROS’s damage the cellular components of such bacteria, and ultimately eliminate the conditions which bacteria require to live(16). The high oxygen tension reached during HBOT also prevents disease-causing microorganisms from surviving. Lastly, HBOT has also been shown to improve the effects of certain antibiotics on infected tissues, suggesting its use as an adjunct treatment to conventional antibiotic medications(17,18).

    Recent Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy News & Research

    Hyperbaric Oxygenation for Lyme Vasculitis

    Hyperbaric Oxygenation for Lyme Vasculitis

    Jan 20, 2021 | | 0 Comments

    Purpose It is the purpose of this paper to demonstrate the positive effects of hyperbaric oxygenation on severe encephalopathy occurring in Lyme Disease as a synergistic treatment with antibiotics. Summary Lyme disease is a tick-borne disease caused by a Borrelia...

    Integrative Approaches to Treat Migraine Headaches

    Integrative Approaches to Treat Migraine Headaches

    Jan 19, 2021 | | 0 Comments

    The past 10 months have been a headache and, in anticipation of the long, trying winter weeks ahead, we are addressing a concern specific to an estimated 20% of the American population: migraine headaches. In fact, because they are often misdiagnosed, the percentage...

    References:
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    7. Thom, Stephen R., et al. “Stem Cell Mobilization by Hyperbaric Oxygen.” American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, vol. 290, no. 4, Apr. 2006, pp. H1378–86. physiology.org (Atypon), doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00888.2005.
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    12. Benson, R. M., et al. “Hyperbaric Oxygen Inhibits Stimulus-Induced Proinflammatory Cytokine Synthesis by Human Blood-Derived Monocyte-Macrophages.” Clinical and Experimental Immunology, vol. 134, no. 1, Oct. 2003, pp. 57–62. PubMed Central, doi:10.1046/j.1365-2249.2003.02248.x.
    13. Thom, Stephen R. “Hyperbaric Oxygen – Its Mechanisms and Efficacy.” Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, vol. 127, no. Suppl 1, Jan. 2011, pp. 131S-141S. PubMed Central, doi:10.1097/PRS.0b013e3181fbe2bf.
    14. Godman, Cassandra A., et al. “Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Induces Antioxidant Gene Expression.” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, vol. 1197, June 2010, pp. 178–83. PubMed, doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.05393.x.
    15. Memar, Mohammad Yousef, et al. “Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Antimicrobial Mechanisms and Clinical Application for Infections.” Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, vol. 109, Jan. 2019, pp. 440–47. ScienceDirect, doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2018.10.142.
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