Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, otherwise known as "purple air" therapy, is a new medical treatment which involves patients breathing in 100 percent oxygen at a high-pressure level, delivered via a specialized device called a hyperbaric chamber. The level of pressure typically used is between one and two ata (inches per square inch), but can vary according to the medical condition being treated. Typically, the highest possible oxygen concentration is achieved at about eighteen ata or less. The chamber is equipped with a single sealed glass cover that protects the inner contents from oxygen contamination. The air stream passes through a small tube connected to a continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) device, which provides supplemental, constant flow of pressurized air. The speed at which the hyperbaric chamber flows air is controlled by a computer regulated by a pump attached to the cylinder.
A patient's body temperature is typically about forty degrees warmer when inhaling hyperbaric chamber pressurized air than when breathing in sea level conditions. The normal atmospheric pressure at sea level is approximately fourteen pounds per cubic inch. People commonly experience an increase in lung capacity when inhaling the pressurized air, which results in more oxygen being delivered to the lungs. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often report improvement after a single session.
One of the most common complaints associated with hyperbaric chamber therapy is dry mouth. The water vapor from the hyperbaric chamber causes dryness of the oral tissues, which is alleviated when food is taken into the stomach. Severe dryness can even lead to pain in the throat, as the pressure of the hyperbaric chamber will force the tissues of the neck into distention. If this condition occurs more than expected, consult your physician for advice.
Hyperbaric chambers have been shown to accelerate wound healing in various experimental wounds. In a research study, chickens were healed faster after six days compared to wounds observed in control animals. The same experiment showed improved blood cell and tissue proliferation in a mouse model of cancer. The enhanced healing process was due not only to the increased circulation but also the increased availability of nutrients and oxygen to the healing tissues. Hyperbaric therapy has also been shown to speed up tissue regeneration in human ulcers.
Some potential side effects of hyperbaric chamber therapy are dry mouth, increased heart rate, difficulty breathing or coughing, and increased respiratory infections. These side effects could subside with continued use. Most people with mild or moderate discomfort will not experience any serious or life-threatening side effects. If you feel slight discomfort or a change in your symptoms, discontinue use and notify your doctor immediately.
Hyperbaric chamber treatments can be administered either with the use of a hyperbaric apparatus or separately with a pure oxygen environment. With the use of a hyperbaric chamber, the oxygen is replaced with pure oxygen while the air is replaced by a dryness or dew. This method of delivering oxygen and air enables hyperbaric oxygen therapies to deliver extremely low levels of oxygen to deeply restorative tissues. Hyperbaric chamber treatments are generally safe when administered by a trained professional. However, precautions should be taken in direct contact with the eyes, skin, or central nervous system.
A hBot hyperbaric chamber is a modified version of the standard oxygen environment used in conventional hyperbaric oxygen therapies. The box system provides the same high-pressured oxygen environment as a hospital hyperbaric chamber but at an oxygen pressure of only 8 pounds per square inch. The difference between the two systems is the use of a non-pressure sensitive air stream that delivers pressurized oxygen through a thin, ultra-lightweight transparent tube. Because the system cannot provide pressurized oxygen, the hyperbaric chamber has no pressure regulation mechanism, but a unique electronically-controlled flow can speed up the healing process.
A variety of medical conditions, some of which cannot be effectively treated with traditional hyperbaric chamber treatments, can be improved with bieber hyperbaric chambers. Patients suffering from carcinoid syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, Lou Gehrig's disease, and multiple sclerosis have all shown improvements following treatments with bieber hyperbaric chambers. In addition, many patients with respiratory conditions such as sleep apnea and COPD have improved after treatments with bieber hyperbaric chambers. Other conditions that have responded well to the treatment include those with cardiopulmonary conditions, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and head injuries. Some patients with brain cancer have responded to hyperbaric chamber treatments, and researchers are currently studying whether hyperbaric oxygen therapies may one day prove useful in treating patients with brain cancer.
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