Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO) is a medical treatment given in a comfortable, climate-controlled, see-through chamber. "Hyperbaric" means "higher than the normal atmospheric pressure." Most treatments are given at two to three times normal pressure. Normally, oxygen is 21% of the air we breathe. In the chamber, the air is 100% oxygen. The combination of increased pressure and 100% oxygen significantly increases the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream which may provide the following benefits:
- Preservation of injured tissue
- Improved delivery of oxygen to injured tissue
- Improved wound healing
- Improved control of certain infections
- Improved growth of new blood vessels
What to expect during treatment
Information for referring physicians