How HBOT Works
Oxygen and pressure work together
Normally, our atmosphere exerts 14.7 pounds per square inch of pressure at sea level. In this atmosphere, we breathe approximately 20 percent oxygen and 80 percent nitrogen. During HBOT, the pressure is increased 2 to 3 times more than normal and patients breath 100 percent oxygen.
The combination of 100 percent oxygen and increased pressure causes large amounts of oxygen to be dissolved into patients' blood and body tissues. This helps the body heal itself.
A number of studies have shown that HBOT speeds wound healing for many types of wounds, such as:
- Injuries from radiation cancer treatment
- Soft tissue infections
- Thermal burns
- Certain skin grafts and flaps
- Crush injuries
- Diabetes-related wounds
