Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) involves breathing 100% oxygen within a pressurised chamber, which enhances oxygen absorption into the bloodstream due to increased pressure. Traditionally used for conditions like decompression sickness, HBOT is now gaining popularity for treating a variety of other conditions, including chronic inflammation.
What is Inflammation?
Inflammation is the body’s complex response to harmful things like germs, damaged cells, or irritants. It aims to protect by removing these harmful stimuli and starting the healing process. Inflammation can be:
- Acute: Short-term, such as a sore throat or a sprained ankle.
- Chronic: Long-term, such as inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune conditions, and chronic joint pain.
Several cells and processes are involved in initiating and resolving the inflammatory response. While inflammation is a critical component of the body’s defence mechanisms and healing, chronic inflammation can lead to a variety of inflammatory conditions and ongoing health issues.
How HBOT Helps with Inflammation:
HBOT offers several mechanisms that can help reduce and manage inflammation:
- Increasing Oxygen Supply:
HBOT allows oxygen to dissolve into all body fluids, reaching damaged areas where circulation may be impaired due to inflammation. This promotes healing and reduces swelling and inflammation. - Modulating Immune Cells:
HBOT can modulate the activity of immune cells, enhancing their ability to fight infection and manage inflammation, which can reduce chronic inflammation. - Antimicrobial Effects:
As an antimicrobial adjuvant, HBOT is particularly beneficial for wound healing, especially in cases where microbial infections prevent wounds from healing. - Stimulating Angiogenesis:
HBOT promotes the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), enhancing blood flow to inflamed and damaged areas, which aids in healing and reduces inflammation. - Enhancing White Blood Cell Activity:
HBOT enhances the activity of white blood cells, the body’s primary defence mechanism against infection and tissue damage. This enhancement helps prevent excessive inflammation that could lead to chronic conditions. - Reducing Oedema (Swelling):
HBOT has been shown to reduce oedema, the excess accumulation of fluids in tissues often caused by inflammation, which can be painful.
Conclusion
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is emerging as a valuable tool in the fight against chronic inflammation. By improving oxygen supply, modulating immune response, enhancing antimicrobial effectiveness, promoting new blood vessel formation, boosting white blood cell activity, and reducing swelling, HBOT offers a comprehensive approach to managing and reducing inflammation. As research continues, HBOT may become a cornerstone in the treatment of various inflammatory conditions, providing relief and improving the quality of life for many patients.
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References
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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that entails breathing pure oxygen in a specially pressurised chamber, which enhances oxygen delivery to tissues, facilitating healing and reducing inflammation.