Hyperbaric Medical Center of New Mexico © 2011 All rights reserved | West Coast Marketing Partners
The Hyperbaric Medical Center of New Mexico
404 Brunn School Rd., Suite E
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 955-
Kenneth P. Stoller, MD, FACHM -
HBOT FAQS
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)?
Where did Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) come from?
What Conditions are Being Treated?
Do I need to be sick to use HBOT?
Won't my doctor just recommend HBOT if I need it?
How does Hyperbaric Oxygen help Brain Injury or Stroke?
Which Sports Injuries Respond to HBOT?
Can HBOT help someone with Cancer?
Does HBOT increase the Free-
Does HBOT help people with Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Will my Insurance pay for HBOT?
What is the best HBOT protocol for children with Traumatic Brain Injury or Cerebral Palsy?
Why are some physicians using 1.75 ATA for treating pediatric brain injury?
HOW DOES HBOT WORK?
There are several beneficial mechanisms associated with intermittent exposure to hyperbaric oxygen, either alone or in combination with other medical and surgical procedures:
a) Hyperoxygenation brings oxygen immediately to tissue where there is compromised
blood flow, because the elevated pressure within the hyperbaric chamber results in
a 10-
b) Neovascularization & epithelialization is a delayed benefit of hyperbaric oxygen
exposure that includes the new formation of collagen, and capillary angiogenesis
(the new development of blood vessels) in areas that were resistant to neovascularization,
such as radiation damaged tissue, osteomyelitis and chronic ulcerations in soft tissue.
This can be induced in both acute and chronic injuries. Regenerating skin cells also
function more effectively in a high-
c) Anitmicrobial Activity & Immune Response has been shown to be enhanced on many different levels, and HBOT can even inhibit or inactivate the toxins of certain bacteria. Studies have shown that local tissue resistance to infection is directly related to the level of oxygen found in the tissue. More important, however, HBOT enhances the ability of white blood cells to trap and kill invading organisms, and acts synergistically with antibiotics. Oxygen is converted within the white blood cell (PMN) into toxic substances (superoxides, peroxides, and hydroxyl radicals) that are lethal to bacteria. In other words, the extra oxygen not only helps wounds to heal it helps the body fight infection.
d) Direct Pressure exerted by HBOT reduces the volume of intravascular or other free gas trapped in the body in places it does not belong. Tens of thousands of cases of air embolism happen just in the USA every year. This can happen unintentionally during cardiac surgery, vascular surgery, pelvic surgery, Cesarean section, and neurosurgical operations. It can also happen with diagnostic procedures such as angiography. Commonly associated with divers, cerebral arterial gas embolism is a frequent (iatrogenic) event in modern medicine, and results in significant morbidity and mortality.
e) Vasoconstriction induced by the hyperoxia of HBOT is helpful in managing injured extremities, skin grafts and burns by reducing edema (fluid build up) within the tissues in question. The net effect is decreased tissue inflammation without hypoxia (oxygen deprivation).
f) Attenuation of Reperfusion Injury: as blood flow comes back into injured tissue, white blood cells can inappropriately activate causing further damage, but HBOT prevents such activation. Specifically, HBOT inhibits white blood cell adherence on postcapillary venules which limits the injury of reperfusion.
g) Maintaining High-