Hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Definition

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy uses a special chamber, sometimes called a pressure chamber, to increase the amount of oxygen in the blood.

Information

The air pressure inside the chamber is about two and a half times greater than the normal pressure in the atmosphere. This helps your blood carry more oxygen, and bring this oxygen to organs and tissues in your body. It can help wounds, especially infected wounds, heal more quickly.

Some of the conditions for which hyperbaric therapy can be helpful include:

• Gas gangrene
• Decompression sickness (for example, a diving injury)
• Air or gas embolism
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Wound healing (for example, a foot ulcer in someone with diabetes or very bad circulation)
• Necrotizing soft tissue infections
• Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
• Radiation injuries (for example, damage to skin, other soft tissue, or bones from radiation therapy for cancer)
• Skin grafts and flaps
• Burns