How long do the effects of Hbot last? HBOT is used for a variety of conditions, including chronic wounds that do not heal. Many patients find that their condition is improved after just a few treatments. Your physician will evaluate your treatment progress and discuss your plan with you.
What is the mechanism of action of hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
HBO therapy works by exposing the body to high levels of oxygen in a pressurized chamber. During HBOT, pure oxygen is dissolved into plasma and can reach tissues that are not sufficiently oxygenated by hemoglobin or red blood cells. This results in a four-fold increase in oxygen penetration of body tissues.
This hyperbaric therapy is safe for most people. Possible side effects include ear pain or popping sensations and limited hearing, but they do not usually last more than two hours during the HBOT session.
The long-term neuronal, functional and cognition-enhancing effects of HBOT have been linked to several mechanisms, such as inhibition of apoptosis, improved mitochondrial function, enhanced neurogenesis and antioxidant activity, and reduced inflammation.
In animal studies, HBOT has been shown to improve spatial learning and memory abilities in rats with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The results showed that cognitive functioning was improved by maintaining ultrastructural integrity of the hippocampus. It also increased cerebral blood flow in the rat brain. This indicates that HBOT can be used as a therapeutic modality for improving cognitive function in patients with CO poisoning. HBOT can be used in combination with other treatment modalities and should be considered as part of the comprehensive approach to treating a patient.