5 Benefits of Oxygen Therapy in 2024
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is capturing widespread interest and enthusiasm, and for good reason.
At Clarity Hyperbarics, we are witnessing firsthand the remarkable health benefits this all-natural treatment offers to patients diagnosed with various disorders and diseases, those recovering from injuries or complications related to procedures, and even individuals seeking to enhance their overall health, wellness, and performance.
Key Takeaways:
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the gold standard for treating non-healing wounds like diabetic foot wounds or even a traumatic brain injury or concussion.
HBOT is able to heal the body much more rapidly through its anti-inflammatory effects as well as its antimicrobial effect.
Hyperbaric Therapy can also increase production of blood vessels leading to a phenomenon called angiogenesis. This increase in blood vessels is in large part how HBOT can help non-healing or chronic wounds.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapies Roll
HBOT is a versatile treatment, effective both as a standalone therapy and as a complementary approach to other treatments. By combining 100% medical-grade oxygen with increased atmospheric pressure in a controlled environment, HBOT promotes healing from within for a range of injuries, health disorders, and diseases. This therapy addresses issues from radiation tissue damage and diabetic foot ulcers to concussion recovery, surgical preparation/recovery, and cellular wellness, helping restore patients to optimal health.
Here are five key benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy that medical professionals and patients should keep in mind:
1. Hyperoxygenation
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves administering 100% oxygen under pressure in a controlled environment. Depending on the condition being treated, HBOT can accelerate oxygen diffusion throughout the body by more than tenfold. This increase in oxygen saturation triggers a variety of beneficial responses, including the stimulation of anti-inflammatory markers, enhancement of white blood cells and immune factors, and mobilization of stem cells. These responses help repair dysfunctional tissue, saturating blood and tissue with oxygen to heal underlying conditions.
2. Anti-Inflammation
One of the key benefits of hyperoxygenation is its significant anti-inflammatory effect. HBOT reduces certain inflammatory cytokines—including IL-6, IL-1B, and IL-2—and promotes the body's natural production of anti-inflammatory compounds like regulatory T cells. As inflammation decreases, the body can better respond to underlying dysfunctions, such as chronic wounds, infections, post-surgical complications, concussions and TBIs (traumatic brain injuries), and inflammatory disorders like IBD (inflammatory bowel disease).
3. Antimicrobial Effect
HBOT also has a powerful antimicrobial effect, particularly against bacteria that thrive in low-oxygen environments. It enhances the immune response, weakens infection-causing bacteria, and works synergistically with antibiotics to increase their overall efficacy. This combined effect destroys or inhibits harmful microorganisms, making HBOT particularly useful for treating infections like necrotizing fasciitis, osteomyelitis, and chronic soft tissue infections. In conjunction with its anti-inflammatory properties, HBOT helps decrease tissue damage and prevent the spread of infections.
4. Neovascularization
Neovascularization, the formation of new blood vessels, is another benefit of HBOT. Conditions like radiation treatment, diabetes, chronic wounds, and recent injuries can deprive tissues of an adequate blood and oxygen supply. HBOT stimulates the formation of new capillaries, enhancing blood and oxygen delivery to starved tissues. This process is especially beneficial for healing diabetic wounds, radiation cystitis, and failed skin grafts and flaps.
5. Stem Cell Mobilization
Hyperoxygenation also promotes the mobilization of stem cells from the body’s bone marrow. Studies have shown an eight-fold increase in stem cells in the blood after a series of 20 HBOT treatments. These stem cells can differentiate into various tissue types, making them crucial for regeneration and repair. Combined with other mechanisms, stem cell mobilization significantly contributes to the healing benefits of HBOT.
Conclusion
In conclusion, HBOT offers a multitude of benefits for individuals with diverse health conditions, extending beyond the five mentioned here. At Clarity Hyperbarics in Des Moines, we are dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality HBOT to our patients. If you believe you could benefit from this treatment from home or in a clinic, we invite you to contact our office for more information: 515-212-5715.