Benefits of hyperbaric oxygenation

• April 30, 2024

The hyperbaric oxygenation (OHB) is a medical treatment that uses cutting-edge technology. The idea is to "fill" the body with 100% pure oxygen, through high atmospheric pressures in order to treat specific medical indications and degenerative diseases .

Its emergence and development are linked to compression and decompression methods, used as a treatment in underwater medicine.

Effects on the organism

According to the Latin American Association of Hyperbaric Medicine (ALMH), OHB oxygenation is a branch of special environments medicine in full development.

Its therapeutic use is based on an increase in the diffusion capacity and tension of oxygen in body fluids, mainly in blood plasma, by breathing pure oxygen under conditions of high environmental pressure and inside sealed containers called hyperbaric chambers . 

This action generates a whole series of beneficial physical effects of great application in a growing number of diseases.

Diseases that can be treated

The Underwater and Hyperbaric Medical Society of the United States recognizes 13 diseases or illnesses for which it is legitimate to place patients in high-risk chambers Pressure , which force the entry of oxygen to its blood Y tissues . Of these, 11 have already been approved by the health system Medicare, which indicates that there is solid evidence of the effectiveness of this therapy .

On the other hand, the specialists of the ALMH indicate that the anticipation in the treatment of many diseases is a primary factor to obtain satisfactory results.

Among the diseases and conditions that are considered "urgent" to deal with OHB include: diabetic foot , poisoning by carbon monoxide, smoke or cyanide and others tissue poisons ; gas gangrene, decompressive disease (for diving), compartment syndrome and others Ischemia traumatic acute

He too Herpes zoster , the occlusion of the central artery of the retina and the optic neuritis and sudden deafness and acoustic trauma , the asphyxia acute such as incomplete drowning, strangulation, failed hanging, etc.

Among the non-urgent diseases, the HBO is highly recommended to treat ophthalmological diseases such as corneal ulcers, eye infections , glaucoma open angle and Diabetic retinopathy ; orthopedic problems such as aseptic necrosis of the adult, delay in the consolidation of fractures and as support for bone grafts.

In neurological cases of multiple sclerosis , cerebral edema and as support for the rehabilitation of neurological sequelae. In gastroenterological diseases such as hepatitis acute viral hepatitis B, acute liver failure or colitis ulcerative idiopathic The HBO is extremely useful as a support in the rehabilitation of various surgeries, as well as in the treatment of diseases angiological , gynecological Y urological .

Most important contraindications

Although HBO is a relatively innocuous therapeutic method, it is not recommended for people suffering from claustrophobia , incompatibility with certain medications, acute respiratory infections , chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, epilepsy , decompensated high blood pressure , acute nephritis , pregnancy , glaucoma of narrow angle or that are under treatment with medicines that elevate the toxic action of oxygen, among many other contraindications.