Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment to increase a person's
blood oxygen level, which can prevent tissue death, promote healing, and help
fight infection. This treatment involves a person being in an enclosed chamber
while 100% oxygen is pumped in at high pressure.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be used to treat conditions such as
severe carbon monoxide poisoning, some types of infections, decompression
sickness, burns, extreme blood loss, and injuries that cut off oxygen supply to
the muscles and other soft tissues.
Large medical centers can often provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy,
but it may not be available in smaller hospitals.
Last Revised:
March 1, 2012
Author:
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine & R. Steven Tharratt, MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care Medicine, Medical Toxicology