Can the hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) help my long-haul COVID? This is a question we frequently get asked here.
In this article, we'll bring you in on how HBOT can help your symptoms, working its wonders through increased oxygenation.
What is Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. The concept behind HBOT is to increase the amount of oxygen dissolved in the bloodstream, allowing it to reach areas of the body with limited blood flow or damaged tissues.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been used for decades to treat various medical conditions. Historically, it started off as an effective in treating decompression sickness, a condition commonly experienced by scuba divers who ascend too quickly, as well as carbon monoxide poisoning. Now, HBOT is being used to improve conditions such as non-healing wounds, radiation injuries, certain infections, and specific types of tissue damage caused by reduced blood supply.
HBOT for long haul COVID
HBOT involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber, which allows for higher levels of oxygen to dissolve in the bloodstream. This increased oxygen delivery can help improve oxygenation in the body, potentially supporting patients with respiratory distress associated with COVID-19 [1].
COVID-19 can also trigger a cascade of systemic inflammatory response in some individuals, leading to tissue damage. HBOT has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and promoting the release of anti-inflammatory substances. This modulation of the inflammatory response may contribute to the management of COVID-19-related inflammation [2].
Recently, a study published in Clinical Medicine, found that undergoing HBOT once daily for 10 days resulted in significant improvements in various measures, including fatigue, global cognition, executive function, attention, information processing speed, and verbal function. The improvements were statistically significant and demonstrated large to very large effect sizes [3].
What to Expect
During a hyperbaric oxygen therapy session, the patient typically lies down or sits inside the chamber. When a person enters the chamber and the pressure is increased, the lungs can take in a significantly higher concentration of oxygen. Under these conditions, the oxygen dissolves in the blood plasma and can reach areas of the body that are difficult for red blood cells to access. The pressure is gradually increased, and the person breathes pure oxygen through a mask or hood. The treatment session usually lasts for about 60-90 minutes, and multiple sessions may be required depending on the condition being treated.
Considerations
While hyperbaric oxygen therapy offers potential benefits, it is important to note that it may not be suitable for everyone. Certain medical conditions, such as untreated pneumothorax (collapsed lung) or certain types of lung diseases, can be contraindications for HBOT.
Takeaways
Questions? Call PIH at 609.512.1468 for more information.
References
[1]: Xue Q, Yan Y, Zhang R, et al. Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment: Could It Be a New Weapon to Fight Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)? Int J Infect Dis. 2020;95:278-280
[2]: Petrie N, Yao F, Wang M, et al. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in COVID-19: A Narrative Review. Undersea Hyperb Med. 2020;47(5):561-566.
[3]: Robbins, T., Gonevski, M., Clark, C., Baitule, S., Sharma, K., Magar, A., Patel, K., Sankar, S., Kyrou, I., Ali, A., & Randeva, H. S. (2021). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the treatment of long COVID: early evaluation of a highly promising intervention. Clinical medicine (London, England), 21(6), e629–e632. https://doi.org/10.7861/clinmed.2021-0462