What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a type of inhalation therapy that prevents or treats damage to vital organs that was caused by a lack of oxygen. During hyperbaric oxygen therapy, you lie inside of a clear, cylindrical, enclosed space, or “chamber.”

Oxygen is pumped into the chamber so that you breathe nearly 100% oxygen. Normally, the air that you breathe has 21% oxygen. Inside the chamber, air pressure is usually 2–3 times higher than normal (hyperbaric). Your health care provider will use the lowest amount of air pressure that is necessary.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is often delivered over more than one session, and each session may last from a few minutes up to several hours. This therapy is usually done at a hyperbaric center or hospital.

Why is hyperbaric oxygen therapy used?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used when there is an immediate need to increase oxygen levels in the blood. It may be used to treat:

• Severe carbon monoxide poisoning, caused by inhaling carbon monoxide gas.
• Decompression sickness. This is a group of symptoms that can happen when the air pressure around you changes too quickly and gas bubbles form in your body.
• Air embolism. This is when air bubbles block a blood vessel.
• Severe anemia. This is when you do not have enough of certain blood cells.
• Crush injury to one or more parts of the body.
• Infections in the bones or somewhere else in the body.
• Burns.
• Long-lasting (chronic) wounds that do not heal on their own.

What are the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is very effective at delivering a high concentration of oxygen to areas of your body that have poor circulation. Other benefits include:

• Helping the body to heal itself.
• Treating wounds or problems that have not responded well to other treatment methods.

What are the risks of hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Risks of hyperbaric oxygen therapy may include:

• Damage to your ears.
• Problems with your nose and sinuses.
• Anxiety caused by being in the small space of the hyperbaric chamber (claustrophobia).
• Changes in your vision, such as development of nearsightedness.
• Oxygen poisoning.
• Heart and lung problems (rare).
• Seizures (rare).

Contact a health care provider if:

• You develop hearing or vision problems.
• You feel sinus pressure or congestion.
• You have difficulty breathing.
• You have a seizure.