Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, or HBOT, is a type of therapy that involves resting in a pressurized chamber that is filled with 100% oxygen. As you breathe, oxygen can enter your bloodstream and help your body heal. At Aalto Hyperbaric, our hyperbaric chamber therapy can be used for many different conditions and can help your body fight infections.

The Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

There are many benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, including:

• Stimulates healing
• Reduces fatigue
• Improves blood circulation
• Boosts recovery
• Improves the immune response
• Decreases inflammation
• Supports the growth of white blood cells and blood vessels
• Increases the body’s ability to fight infection
• Allows for a more comfortable healing experience

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy gives your body the oxygen that it needs to begin healing itself. When oxygen is introduced into the bloodstream, it can start healing tissues that do not have enough oxygen and essential nutrients to heal properly. 

How HBOT Helps Fight Infections

Your body cannot fight infection as efficiently when your tissues do not have enough oxygen. HBOT introduces more oxygen into the blood and tissues, which allows your body to begin fighting infection on its own. Oxygen also stimulates the growth of white blood cells, which fight bacteria and other invaders that might cause infection. If you have a wound or infection that is healing slowly, then regular appointments with Aalto Hyperbaric may help your body regain the strength it needs to fight harmful bacteria.

Can Hyperbaric Chamber Therapy Help My Sinus Infection?

Sinus infections are often caused by the sinuses being filled with fluid, encouraging the growth of bacteria. Some studies suggest HBOT could be a beneficial treatment for sinus infections. A study on rhinocerebral mucormycosis, a fatal sinus infection that can spread to the brain, found that HBOT can be a promising treatment option. This is because oxygen can have antifungal properties and increases tissue survival. The study concluded that adding HBOT into the treatment plan for this specific type of sinus infection could result in a more positive outcome for the patient.

Regular treatments may be beneficial for your sinus infection by increasing your body’s ability to fight and heal the infection in less time. Speak with your physician about using HBOT to treat your sinus infection. The type of infection, your medical history, and other factors can influence whether HBOT would be an effective treatment for you.

Conditions That HBOT Can Help Treat

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be used in the treatment plan for many other conditions to help the body heal faster. HBOT is the primary treatment for decompression sickness and can also be the primary treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning. Other conditions that can benefit from using hyperbaric oxygen therapy include:

• Skin and bone infections
• Wounds
• Severe anemia
• Arthritis
• Skin grafts and flaps
• Gas gangrene
• Radiation injuries
• Burns
• Crush injuries

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been used successfully in the treatment of these conditions. Because we are a freestanding hyperbaric center, we can help treat these and other conditions that hospitals and other medical facilities are not yet able to treat. At Aalto Hyperbaric, we can treat conditions such as Alzheimer’s, depression, arthritis, and autism. Evidence suggests that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be valuable in a treatment plan for these conditions. If you are curious about trying HBOT for one of these conditions, then Aalto Hyperbaric can help you learn more.

The HBOT Process

The process for HBOT is relatively simple and comfortable. Here is a simple overview of receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy at Aalto Hyperbaric:

Obtain a Prescription

The FDA classifies 100% oxygen as a drug, so you will need to get a prescription before receiving treatment at Aalto Hyperbaric. Aalto’s physician can also screen patients and provide a prescription for the treatment if needed.

Schedule an Appointment

Once you have a prescription, you can schedule your appointment. If you have an acute condition, such as carbon monoxide poisoning, you may only need 1-2 sessions of HBOT. A minimum of 30 sessions may be required for more chronic conditions. You do not have to wait days between your appointments like you sometimes have to with other therapies. Depending on your situation, we could recommend that you come in five days a week for treatment or even more. Your physician can advise you on how far apart your sessions should be based on your condition.

The Treatment

At Aalto Hyperbaric, you will receive treatment inside a tube-like chamber. Our technicians will make sure you are comfortable before sliding you in and beginning your session. Your session could last anywhere from 60 minutes to two hours, depending on what condition we are treating. During your time in the chamber, the pressure will increase to about 2 or 3 times that of normal air pressure. This increased pressure increases your body’s ability to take in oxygen. You may start to feel pressure in your ears like you would when taking off in an airplane, but you can swallow or pop your ears as you regularly would to get relief. 

While you are waiting, you can watch a movie, take a nap, and relax. The only thing you need to do during this time is breathe as you normally would. After your session is done, you may feel lightheaded – this is normal and should subside quickly.

Can Anybody Get HBOT?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be effective in treating many conditions. It is low risk with few associated side effects. If you have recently gotten ear surgery or have certain lung diseases, then HBOT may not be appropriate for you. If you have any questions or concerns before you begin HBOT, feel free to contact us. 

Make an Appointment With Aalto Hyperbaric Today

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be an effective and safe therapy option. If you suffer from any of the listed conditions or have a wound or infection that is not healing as quickly as you would like it to, then HBOT might be a good option for you. Contact Aalto Hyperbaric Medical Group to see what hyperbaric chamber therapy can do for your health.