Hyperbaric Chamber
What is Hyperbaric (Oxygen) Therapy?
All cells, including cancer cells, require oxygen for growth. For many years, doctors turned away from any type of oxygen therapy to treat cancer, based on the reasoning that this would only increase cancer cell growth.
However, research has now determined that cancer cells actually thrive in oxygen-deprived environments and, conversely, increased oxygen levels can hinder cancer growth.
This is where hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO or HBOT) comes in.
HBO is a treatment that boosts the amount of oxygen in the body by increasing the air pressure around the patient to three times higher than normal. This change in pressure helps the lungs absorb even more oxygen, which in turn increases the levels in your blood. The procedure allows oxygen-rich blood to reach all body cells.
For cancer patients, flooding their system with hyperbaric oxygen in the bloodstream can help make cancer cells easier to kill alongside treatments like chemotherapy and radiation while also activating the healing process in the body.
Hyperbaric Chamber
Main benefits of Hyperbaric Chamber:
- Reduces inflammation in the bones
- Correcting the metabolism of cancer-affected cells
- Energizing the mitochondria in the cells to create a better cellular function
- Release of occurring molecules, like stem cells which boost the healing process
- Boosts the performance of white blood cells to prevent infection and kill bacteria
- Reduces pressure, swelling, or pain in the cancer site
Can HBOT Help Fight Cancer?
What are Hyperbaric Chamber Side Effects?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may also come with few side effects. If they do occur, they’re typically mild and pass quickly.
You may feel tired, hungry, or slightly light-headed.
In rare instances, severe side effects (lung failure, fluid buildup, seizures, and oxygen poisoning) may occur if the therapy lasts no more than two hours, or if the chamber’s pressure is three times lower than the atmospheric pressure.
How is Hyperbaric Chamber Therapy Done?
The oxygen chamber takes up to two hours to complete. Patients are placed in a clear plastic tube or a chamber, and the air pressure in the surrounding space gradually increases.
This procedure is painless; however, patients may get a brief sensation of fullness in the ears, similar to that experienced while flying or changing elevation. One can relieve the discomfort by swallowing or yawning if this response is experienced. Patients can resume regular activity after treatment but may feel tired or hungry.
What Does the Research Say About Hyperbaric Chamber Therapy?
A research paper from 2010 revealed that employing HBOT (Hyperbaric on a mice ovarian tumor, given daily for 21 days, notably diminished tumor growth. The scientists also introduced a chemotherapy agent in conjunction with HBOT therapy in a separate group of mice. Findings indicated that the combined treatment led to a substantial reduction in tumor volume within a span of two weeks.
Several subsequent studies have explored the link between Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and different forms of brain cancer. In 2015, a study investigated the potential effectiveness of HBOT for individuals newly diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a highly aggressive brain cancer. The findings suggested that incorporating HBOT treatments is a viable therapeutic choice, capable of enhancing the prognosis for patients with GBM.
Frequently Asked Questions
A typical session lasts between 60 and 120 minutes, depending on the condition being treated and the treatment protocol.
The number of sessions varies based on the condition.
Some patients may need 10-30 sessions, while others with chronic conditions may require more.
HBOT is generally safe when administered by trained professionals, but there can be side effects like ear pressure, sinus issues, or temporary vision changes.
Many insurance plans cover HBOT for certain approved medical conditions like non-healing wounds or decompression sickness, but coverage can vary.
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes, and avoid using lotions, perfumes, or oils before the session.
You may also be asked to avoid smoking.
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Learn more about Hyperbaric Chamber
How Hyperbaric Oxygen Helps the Body Heal - Yale Medicine Explains
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