Further indications for the hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)

Classic application areas of HBOT: diving accidents and CO intoxication

Among its origins in the treatment of diving accidents, CO intoxication is rated among the classic treatment areas of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). HBOT is not only lifesaving in cases of acute symptoms, because through the 20 times higher oxygen partial pressure it pushes the CO faster from its bond with hemoglobin (Hb), as well as from its bond with myoglobin and prevents the lipid peroxydation in the cell membranes. Its also contributes like no other therapy to the reduction of long term damages. Without HBO-therapy there is a risk of neurological long term complications for 15 to 40 % of patients. With HBOT this rate can be reduced to 1.6%. HBOT should therefore occur without delay, because the prognosis is significantly worse after four hours.

Experimenting the application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy

HBOT is a systemic therapy. Its effects of ameliorating the missing perfusion or oxygen alimentation in tissue and sense cells support the body in different indications to develop its self- healing powers and to set off a durable regeneration. Further positive characteristics of HBOT are for example

• vasoconstriction with an edema diverting effect
• antibacterial effect
• reinforcing effect of antibiotics

which can lead to successful and experimental applications. In this case, either the success of HBOT has not yet been scientifically proven or a study-design for a particular indication appears to be very difficult. These are i.e.

• Idiopathic facial palsy / Bell’s palsy
• Migraines
• Chronic borreliosis / Lyme-arthritis
• Retinitis pigmentosa

Here, success also depends on - just like with other therapies - the causes of the illness. You can find an overview of most of the indications in our patient-brochure about HBOT (download on the right) as well as our summary on indications and experiences.

Zuletzt aktualisiert am Dienstag, 14. September 2010