Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Patients sometimes develop wounds or tissue injuries that heal slowly because damaged areas are not receiving enough oxygen through the normal blood supply. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is designed for such situations. This therapy takes place in an enclosed environment where oxygen is supplied at a higher atmospheric pressure to allow more oxygen to pass through the body’s circulatory system.

HBOT is commonly used for chronic wounds, diabetic foot ulcers, radiation-related tissue injury, decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning, and certain severe infections. In many cases, the therapy is added when standard treatment alone has not produced adequate improvement.

At Gleneagles Hospitals, HBOT is provided in a monitored clinical setting after careful patient evaluation.
 

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment in which individuals inhale oxygen at pressures greater than ambient. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is performed under controlled atmospheric pressure in a specially constructed chamber at a pressure higher than ambient.

As a result, more oxygen enters the circulation and diffuses into tissues that may not be receiving adequate blood flow. Doctors use this approach in certain conditions where healing has slowed, since oxygen is closely involved in tissue repair and the formation of new, small blood vessels. By temporarily increasing oxygen availability,

HBOT may support recovery in damaged or infected tissue.

Treatment may be delivered in:

• Monoplace chambers for one patient
• Multiplace chambers designed for several patients

The treatment schedule depends on the condition being managed and the patient’s response.

A number of illnesses and injuries can affect circulation and reduce oxygen supply to tissues. Diabetes, vascular disease, infection, trauma, burns, and radiation injury can all affect circulation and delay recovery. If there isn’t enough oxygen in the injured tissue, this may delay the healing process or even lead to infections.

This boost of oxygen could help those people whose situations are not improving. For some people, the extra oxygen could help with healing while other treatments are still being administered.

Doctors may recommend HBOT to:

• Improve tissue oxygen levels
• Support wound healing
• Assist recovery after radiation injury
• Help manage certain difficult infections
• Reduce tissue swelling
• Support healing after traumatic injury or surgery

The therapy is usually one part of a broader treatment plan that may also include wound care, medication, surgery, rehabilitation, or vascular treatment.

Not all injuries need hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Usually, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used when there is little or no improvement in healing despite all conventional treatments applied to the injured area. This depends on the state of the injured tissue, blood flow to the injured region, and the individual's overall health.

HBOT therapy is often suggested for diabetics with foot ulcers that heal slowly. The presence of diabetes causes damage to blood vessels, resulting in reduced blood flow to the affected tissue. HBOT may be considered in these cases as an additional supportive therapy.

The treatment is also used for radiation-related tissue injury. Radiation treatment can sometimes cause delayed tissue damage months or even years after cancer therapy has been completed. Poor circulation in the affected area can sometimes result in persistent pain, delayed tissue healing, or progressive tissue damage. HBOT may help improve oxygen availability in these damaged regions.

Other recognised indications include:

• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Decompression sickness in divers
• Severe soft tissue infections
• Crush injuries and traumatic wounds
• Compromised skin grafts or flaps
• Certain burns
• Selected cases of sudden sensorineural hearing loss

The decision to start HBOT is usually made after reviewing the patient’s overall condition, imaging findings, wound status, and response to standard treatment.

Not every patient with a wound or injury requires hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Doctors first determine whether HBOT is appropriate for the patient’s condition and whether chamber treatment can be carried out safely. Doctors consider HBOT only after evaluating the patient’s current condition, the nature of the tissue damage, and how the problem has responded to other treatments so far.

HBOT may be considered for:

• Patients with wounds that remain slow to heal with regular treatment
• Individuals with diabetic ulcers affecting deeper tissues
• Patients with damage caused by earlier radiation therapy
• Individuals with ongoing infections involving bone or soft tissue
• Patients with grafts or tissue flaps showing poor circulation
• Individuals fit enough to undergo chamber-based treatment

The evaluation before therapy may involve an examination of the affected area, a review of scans and blood test results, and an assessment of the patient's medical history.

Although HBOT is generally considered safe, there are situations where the therapy may not be recommended or may require additional caution.

HBOT may not be appropriate for patients with:

• Untreated pneumothorax
• Certain severe chronic lung conditions
• Active upper respiratory infections affecting pressure equalisation
• Significant ear or sinus disease
• Uncontrolled high fever
• Severe claustrophobia
• Some recent thoracic surgeries

Doctors also review current medications because some drugs may interact with hyperbaric treatment.
 

Treatment sessions take place inside specially designed hyperbaric chambers where both oxygen concentration and pressure can be carefully regulated. Safety protocols are important because both oxygen concentration and chamber pressure are carefully regulated throughout therapy.

The treatment plan differs from one patient to another. Some conditions may require only a limited number of sessions, while chronic wounds or radiation injuries may need repeated therapy over several weeks.

Before the Procedure

Before therapy begins, the medical team performs a detailed assessment to confirm whether HBOT is appropriate.

The evaluation may include:

• Medical history review
• Physical examination
• Assessment of the wound or injury
• Ear and lung evaluation
• Blood tests or imaging, if required

Patients are commonly advised to:

• Wear cotton clothing provided for the session
• Avoid bringing electronic devices or metallic objects into the chamber
• Inform the care team about fever, congestion, or ear discomfort
• Avoid smoking during the treatment period

These precautions help reduce complications associated with pressure changes and oxygen exposure.

During the Procedure

Once the session begins, chamber pressure is increased slowly so the body can adjust comfortably. During this phase, it is common to notice a blocked or popping sensation in the ears, similar to what happens during take-off or landing on a flight.

Most patients remain awake throughout the session. Depending on the type of chamber being used, patients may either lie down comfortably or sit during treatment.

During therapy:

• Oxygen is delivered under controlled pressure
• Chamber pressure is adjusted gradually
• Medical staff continue monitoring throughout the session
• Communication systems remain available at all times

Treatment duration varies depending on the condition being managed, though many sessions last roughly 1 to 2 hours.

Once the session is complete, the pressure inside the chamber is reduced slowly before the patient leaves.

After Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

The pressure within the chamber will be released slowly after the session. The majority of people are able to return to their normal activities that very day. However, some people may need to undergo another session according to the treatment protocol. Some patients have reported occasional sensations such as ear blockage, fatigue, dizziness, sinus pressure, and blurred vision.

Like most medical procedures, HBOT can sometimes be associated with temporary side effects linked to pressure changes inside the chamber. Most reactions are mild and are monitored during treatment.

Potential risks may comprise:

• Distress in the ear
• Irritation in the sinus cavity
• Temporary vision disturbances
• Feeling tired after sessions
• Being claustrophobic
• Any reaction from high levels of oxygen intake

Severe adverse effects are rarely observed when treatment is conducted under appropriate medical guidance. Patients at Gleneagles Hospitals receive a proper assessment before treatment commences and are monitored during the procedure.

HBOT is used in select patients to improve oxygen delivery to tissues affected by injury, infection, or delayed healing.

Possible benefits include:

• Improved wound recovery
• Better oxygen support to damaged tissue
• Reduction in swelling
• Supportive care in difficult infections
• Recovery support after radiation injury

Treatment response depends on the condition being managed and overall tissue health.

Gleneagles Hospitals offers HBOT as part of a supervised clinical service supported by trained healthcare professionals.

The services offered by the hospital include:

• Advanced Hyperbaric Chamber facilities
• Continuous monitoring throughout the session
• Multidisciplinary medical teams for support
• Wound management care
• Individualised treatment plans
• Follow-up assessments throughout the therapy process

An evaluation is performed prior to commencing therapy, and then regular evaluations are conducted throughout the treatment process.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is now part of supportive treatment planning for several conditions involving delayed healing, tissue injury, or impaired circulation. By temporarily increasing oxygen delivery under controlled pressure, HBOT may help support the body’s natural repair mechanisms and improve recovery in selected patients.

The therapy is mainly recommended when combined with medical treatment. Selecting appropriate patients and monitoring and following up on their progress remain critical throughout the entire course of treatment.

At Gleneagles Hospitals, therapy is delivered in a systematic environment where different specialists collaborate in managing patients' treatment programs.