What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Simply put, the process of treating diseases by inhaling high concentrations of oxygen in an environment above one atmosphere is called hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Generally, people need to undergo hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the environment of a hyperbaric oxygen chamber.

What is the difference between high-pressure oxygen and atmospheric oxygen (ordinary oxygen)?

Under normal circumstances, we inhale oxygen into the lungs and then transport it to various parts of the body through red blood cells in the blood. If a patient has 15 grams of hemoglobin per 100 milliliters of arterial blood, the experiment found that every 1 gram of hemoglobin can carry 1.34 milliliters of oxygen. At this point, every 100 milliliters of arterial blood can carry 20.1 milliliters of oxygen (15 × 1.34). When all hemoglobin carries oxygen, inhaling more oxygen will not cause significant changes in the oxygen content in the blood. So, what if the patient still lacks oxygen at this time? The problem of patient hypoxia can be solved by increasing the physical dissolved oxygen in the blood. How can we increase dissolved oxygen in the blood? It is known that the solubility of gases in liquids increases with increasing pressure. Oxygen inhalation under high pressure (in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber) can significantly increase the dissolved oxygen content in the patient's blood. Under certain pressure, if all hemoglobin in the patient's body is removed, only dissolved oxygen in the blood can meet the metabolic needs of the patient's body.

What are the functions of hyperbaric oxygen? 

The role of hyperbaric oxygen is extensive and unique, and currently there is no other way to replace it. Simply put, hyperbaric oxygen has the following effects:

1. Promote cellular aerobic metabolism, correct cellular hypoxia, and enable cells to undergo sufficient aerobic metabolism. At present, there are many drugs on the market that promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis, and dilate blood vessels. The purpose of promoting blood circulation and dilating blood vessels is to supply oxygen, and hyperbaric oxygen can directly supply oxygen without any side effects when mastered properly. 

2. The widespread antibacterial effect can not only resist anaerobic bacteria, but also aerobic bacteria. 

3. It can cause the arteries in the swollen area to contract, reduce local blood volume, and alleviate edema. Although arterial blood decreases at this time, due to the high oxygen content in the blood, the oxygen entering the tissue still increases.

4. Promote the bactericidal effect of white blood cells. Adequate oxygen supply increases the presence of peroxides and enhances the bactericidal effect of white blood cells.

5. Promote the antibacterial effect of certain antibiotics. Such as SIZ, TMP, streptomycin, isoniazid, sodium aminosalicylate, etc.

6. Increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier. When there is a lesion in the skull (such as infection or tumor), the simultaneous use of hyperbaric oxygen and drugs can increase the concentration of drugs in the skull and enhance the therapeutic effect.

7. Promote the discharge of harmful gases such as coal gas, dichloromethane, etc. 

8. The diffusion distance of blood oxygen increases. The experiment found that under normal circumstances, the effective half meridian of the diffusion distance of capillaries in the gray matter of the human brain is about 30 microns, while it can reach 100 microns under hyperbaric oxygen.

9. Regulate immune function. So far, research has found that hyperbaric oxygen has a bidirectional regulatory effect on immune function - allergies can be suppressed, while low levels can be enhanced. 

10. Health benefits. As age increases, some cells (such as brain cells) may experience hypoxia, ischemia, inadequate aerobic metabolism, and eventually death. Regularly providing sufficient oxygen supply before these cells die can slow down and reduce the speed and quantity of cell death.

A person can go several days without eating or drinking water, but if they don't breathe air (oxygen), they will die in just a few minutes. Why? Because humans require oxygen for aerobic metabolism to obtain energy. Any problem with aerobic metabolism in any part can lead to disease. The occurrence, development, and prognosis of many human diseases are related to hypoxia and ischemia. Having understood these, it is not difficult to comprehend the role of hyperbaric oxygen in disease treatment.