Mechanism of Action

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy utilizes the following two key factors to achieve its therapeutic effects:

• Hyperbaric Environment: The pressure inside the hyperbaric chamber is typically 1.5 to 3 times the normal atmospheric pressure.

  • According to Henry's Law, the solubility of a gas is directly proportional to its partial pressure. Increased pressure forces significantly more oxygen to dissolve into body fluids, especially the blood plasma (which normally carries very little oxygen).

  • This oxygen dissolved in the plasma can bypass red blood cells and be directly delivered to circulation-compromised or ischemic tissues and organs, greatly enhancing the body's oxygen supply.

• High Concentration Oxygen : Patients usually breathe in nearly 100% pure oxygen.

  • This further increases the partial pressure of oxygen, allowing tissues to receive dozens of times more oxygen than breathing oxygen at normal atmospheric pressure.

2. Main Effects and Mechanisms

The high concentration of dissolved oxygen delivered by HBOT produces several physiological effects in the body:

• Corrects Tissue Hypoxia : Significantly increases blood oxygen content, improving tissue oxygen deficiency caused by blocked blood flow or injury.

• Mechanical Effect (Bubble Reduction): According to Boyle's Law, high pressure directly shrinks the volume of gas bubbles in the blood or tissues, accelerating their dissolution and elimination (crucial for Decompression Sickness and Arterial Gas Embolism).

• Reduces Edema : Hyperbaric oxygen can cause some vasoconstriction, reducing edema in the brain and local tissues. However, due to the increased dissolved oxygen, tissue oxygenation is still maintained.

• Promotes Wound Healing and Tissue Repair: The high-oxygen environment stimulates the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), promotes collagen synthesis, and enhances the killing power of white blood cells, thereby accelerating the repair of non-healing wounds (e.g., diabetic foot ulcers) and damaged tissues.

• Anti-Infection : It is toxic to anaerobic bacteria (such as Clostridium perfringens causing gas gangrene) and can enhance the efficacy of antibiotics and the function of the immune system.

3. Main Indications (Therapeutic Range)

HBOT is an important adjunctive or primary treatment for many conditions. Common medical indications include:

• Acute Conditions :

  • Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

  • Decompression Sickness (the "bends") and Arterial Gas Embolism

  • Gas Gangrene (a severe anaerobic bacterial infection)

  • Crush Injury, Acute Traumatic Ischemia

• Chronic Conditions and Rehabilitation:

  • Non-healing Wounds (especially diabetic foot ulcers)

  • Chronic Osteomyelitis

  • Radiation Soft Tissue/Bone Necrosis (sequelae of radiation therapy)

  • Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

  • Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy, rehabilitation after certain strokes or traumatic brain injuries.