FDA Approved Conditions we Help
How Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Work?
Hyperbaric Chamber Therapy, also known as recompression therapy, works by providing a controlled stream of oxygen, an essential element for human life. Oxygen is absorbed by the lungs, where it enters the bloodstream, travels to the heart, then circulates to all of the tissues in your body.
HBOT delivers pure oxygen under high air pressure, which helps the body take in more healing oxygen. This, in turn, allows for higher oxygen concentrations in the blood and other body fluids.
Oxygen-rich fluids travel through different organ systems, helping to repair damaged tissues.
The FDA Approved Conditions Treated by Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy:
-
Arterial Gas Embolism (AGE) occurs when air bubbles enter the arteries and block blood flow to vital organs, most commonly the brain, heart, or lungs. This can happen due to rapid changes in pressure, such as during scuba diving, surgery, or chest trauma. The blockage can lead to severe complications, including stroke-like symptoms, organ damage, and even life-threatening conditions.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is the primary treatment for AGE, as it helps reduce bubble size, increase oxygen delivery to affected tissues, and promote faster recovery by restoring normal blood flow.
-
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning occurs when carbon monoxide gas builds up in the bloodstream, preventing oxygen from reaching vital organs like the brain and heart. This can result from exposure to faulty heating systems, car exhaust, or smoke inhalation. Symptoms range from headaches and dizziness to confusion, unconsciousness, and even death in severe cases.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a critical treatment for CO poisoning, as it rapidly removes carbon monoxide from the blood, restores oxygen levels, reduces the risk of long-term neurological damage, and improves overall recovery.
-
Cyanide Poisoning occurs when cyanide interferes with the body's ability to use oxygen at the cellular level, leading to rapid organ failure and potentially fatal consequences. It can result from inhaling smoke in fires, industrial exposure, or ingesting cyanide-containing substances. Symptoms include confusion, difficulty breathing, seizures, and loss of consciousness.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) can be used alongside standard antidotes to enhance oxygen delivery, support cellular function, and reduce the toxic effects of cyanide, helping to improve survival and recovery.
-
Crush Syndrome is a life-threatening condition that occurs when muscle tissue is severely compressed for an extended period, leading to muscle breakdown and the release of toxic substances into the bloodstream. This can result in kidney failure, severe swelling, shock, and multi-organ complications. It is commonly seen in victims of earthquakes, car accidents, or prolonged entrapment.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) helps by reducing swelling, improving oxygen delivery to damaged tissues, preventing further muscle breakdown, and enhancing the body's ability to clear toxins, ultimately supporting organ function and improving recovery outcomes.
-
Decompression Sickness (DCS), also known as "the bends," occurs when dissolved gases, primarily nitrogen, form bubbles in the bloodstream and tissues due to a rapid decrease in pressure. This commonly affects scuba divers, high-altitude pilots, and compressed-air workers. Symptoms can range from joint pain and dizziness to paralysis and life-threatening complications.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is the gold standard treatment for DCS, as it helps dissolve gas bubbles, restores oxygen flow to affected tissues, and reduces inflammation, allowing the body to safely eliminate excess nitrogen.
-
Diabetic Wounds are slow-healing ulcers and sores that develop due to poor circulation, nerve damage (neuropathy), and weakened immune function in individuals with diabetes. These wounds, especially on the feet, can become infected and lead to serious complications, including amputation if left untreated.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) enhances healing by increasing oxygen delivery to damaged tissues, reducing inflammation, fighting infection, and stimulating new blood vessel growth, helping to prevent complications and promote faster wound closure.
-
Ear Infections occur when bacteria or viruses cause inflammation in the ear, leading to pain, fluid buildup, and potential hearing issues. While most ear infections resolve with standard treatments, chronic or severe cases—such as those linked to poor circulation or radiation damage—can become resistant to healing.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) may help in cases of persistent or complicated ear infections by reducing inflammation, improving oxygen delivery to infected tissues, enhancing the immune response, and promoting faster healing. It is particularly beneficial for conditions like chronic otitis media or infections related to radiation-induced tissue damage.
-
Gas Gangrene is a severe, life-threatening bacterial infection caused by Clostridium bacteria, which release toxins and gas into tissues, leading to rapid tissue death. This condition typically develops after traumatic injuries, surgeries, or infections in deep wounds with low oxygen levels. Symptoms include severe pain, swelling, blisters, and a foul-smelling discharge.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a crucial treatment for gas gangrene, as high oxygen levels inhibit bacterial growth, neutralize toxins, reduce swelling, and enhance the body's ability to heal, often preventing the need for amputation.
-
Intracranial Abscess is a serious, life-threatening condition where a pocket of pus forms in the brain due to a bacterial or fungal infection. It can result from head trauma, sinus infections, ear infections, or bloodstream infections spreading to the brain. Symptoms include severe headaches, fever, neurological deficits, and seizures.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is used as an adjunct treatment to antibiotics and surgery, as it enhances oxygen delivery to infected brain tissues, reduces swelling, inhibits bacterial growth, and promotes faster healing, improving patient outcomes and reducing the risk of complications.
-
Non-Healing Wounds are chronic wounds that fail to progress through the normal healing stages due to poor circulation, infection, or underlying health conditions such as diabetes or vascular disease. These wounds, including pressure ulcers, surgical wounds, and radiation injuries, can lead to serious complications if not properly treated.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) accelerates healing by delivering high levels of oxygen to damaged tissues, promoting new blood vessel growth, reducing inflammation, and enhancing the body's ability to fight infection, ultimately improving wound closure and recovery.
-
Sinus Infections (Sinusitis) occur when the sinus cavities become inflamed due to bacterial, viral, or fungal infections, leading to congestion, facial pain, headaches, and difficulty breathing. While most cases resolve with medication, chronic or recurrent sinus infections can result from poor circulation, allergies, or a weakened immune system.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) can aid in persistent sinus infections by reducing inflammation, improving oxygen delivery to sinus tissues, enhancing the body's ability to fight infections, and promoting faster healing, especially in cases resistant to standard treatments.
-
Brain Abscess is a serious, life-threatening condition where a localized infection forms a pus-filled pocket in the brain, often caused by bacteria or fungi spreading from the sinuses, ears, or bloodstream. Symptoms can include headaches, fever, neurological deficits, seizures, and confusion.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is used as an adjunct treatment to antibiotics and surgery, as it enhances oxygen delivery to infected brain tissue, reduces swelling, inhibits bacterial growth, and promotes faster healing, improving patient outcomes and reducing the risk of complications.
-
Burns occur when the skin and underlying tissues are damaged by heat, chemicals, electricity, or radiation, leading to pain, swelling, and potential complications such as infection and scarring. Severe burns can impair oxygen delivery to tissues, delaying healing and increasing the risk of tissue death.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) helps accelerate burn recovery by increasing oxygen supply to damaged tissues, reducing inflammation, promoting new blood vessel growth, and enhancing the body's ability to fight infection, ultimately improving healing and reducing scarring.
-
Compromised Skin Grafts occur when a transplanted piece of skin struggles to survive due to poor blood flow, infection, or inadequate oxygen supply. This can lead to graft failure, delayed healing, and increased risk of complications.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) enhances skin graft survival by increasing oxygen delivery to the graft site, promoting new blood vessel growth, reducing inflammation, and improving the body's ability to fight infection, ultimately supporting successful graft integration and faster healing.
-
Compromised Skin Flaps occur when a surgically relocated piece of skin and tissue experiences poor circulation, oxygen deprivation, or infection, increasing the risk of tissue loss and failed healing. Factors such as diabetes, radiation exposure, or trauma can further hinder recovery.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) helps salvage compromised skin flaps by increasing oxygen delivery, stimulating new blood vessel growth, reducing inflammation, and enhancing the body’s natural healing process, improving flap survival and overall surgical outcomes.
-
Osteomyelitis is a serious bone infection caused by bacteria or fungi, leading to inflammation, bone deterioration, and potential complications such as chronic pain or fractures. It can develop from open wounds, surgical procedures, or bloodstream infections that spread to the bone.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is an effective adjunct treatment for osteomyelitis, as it delivers high levels of oxygen to infected bone tissue, enhances the body's ability to fight infection, reduces inflammation, and promotes new blood vessel formation, helping to improve healing and prevent further bone damage.
-
Radiation Therapy Damage occurs when healthy tissues are harmed due to prolonged exposure to radiation during cancer treatment. This can lead to long-term complications such as chronic pain, tissue breakdown, poor wound healing, and conditions like radiation-induced fibrosis or necrosis.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is an effective treatment for radiation damage, as it enhances oxygen delivery to affected tissues, stimulates new blood vessel growth, reduces inflammation, and promotes tissue regeneration, helping to restore function and improve quality of life for patients.
-
Severe Anemia occurs when the body has an extremely low red blood cell count or hemoglobin levels, reducing its ability to deliver oxygen to vital organs. This can result from significant blood loss, bone marrow disorders, or chronic diseases, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, and organ dysfunction.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) serves as a temporary supportive treatment by dissolving oxygen directly into the plasma, bypassing the need for red blood cells to transport oxygen, helping to sustain critical organ function until other treatments, such as blood transfusions, can be administered.
-
Sudden Crushing Injury occurs when a heavy force or impact compresses the body, leading to severe tissue damage, swelling, and potential complications such as compartment syndrome, nerve injury, and poor circulation. These injuries can cause oxygen deprivation in affected tissues, increasing the risk of infection and cell death.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) helps by delivering high levels of oxygen to damaged tissues, reducing swelling, preventing further tissue death, promoting new blood vessel growth, and enhancing the body’s natural healing response, improving recovery and reducing complications.
-
Sudden Deafness, or Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL), is a rapid and unexplained loss of hearing, often occurring in one ear within a short period. It can result from viral infections, circulatory issues, inner ear inflammation, or unknown causes. Early treatment is crucial to improve the chances of recovery.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is an effective treatment option, as it increases oxygen delivery to the inner ear, reduces inflammation, improves circulation, and enhances tissue repair, helping to restore hearing function when started promptly.
-
Sudden Vision Loss is a rapid and unexpected loss of sight, often caused by conditions such as retinal artery occlusion, optic neuropathy, or inflammation. It can result from poor blood flow, nerve damage, or underlying medical conditions like diabetes or stroke. Immediate treatment is crucial to prevent permanent vision impairment.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) can help by increasing oxygen delivery to the retina and optic nerve, reducing swelling, improving circulation, and promoting tissue repair, potentially aiding in vision recovery if administered promptly.
-
Tissue Damage occurs when cells and structures within the body are injured due to trauma, surgery, infection, radiation exposure, or poor circulation. This damage can lead to delayed healing, chronic pain, and an increased risk of complications such as infection or tissue death.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) accelerates tissue repair by increasing oxygen supply to damaged areas, reducing inflammation, promoting new blood vessel growth, and enhancing the body’s natural healing processes, making it an effective treatment for various types of tissue injuries.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Get the FDA Facts
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) for specific medical conditions where research has demonstrated its safety and effectiveness.
The FDA regulates both the oxygen used in HBOT and the hyperbaric chambers, which are generally a tube large enough to hold one person or a room that can accommodate more than one person. You can read more in their Website at this Link:
On Oct. 1, 2024, the FDA began implementing a reorganization impacting many parts of the agency. They are in the process of updating FDA.gov content to reflect these changes.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is well known for treating scuba and deep-sea divers affected by the rapid change in pressure around them. But did you know that HBOT is also used to treat a variety of other health problems, including carbon monoxide poisoning and diabetic foot ulcers?
If you are considering the use of a HBOT device for yourself or a loved one, be aware that some claims of what it can do are unproven. For example, HBOT devices are not proven to cure cancer, Lyme disease, autism or Alzheimer’s disease. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends you check with your health care provider before using a HBOT device to make sure you are pursuing the most appropriate care. If your health care provider recommends HBOT, the FDA advises that you go to a hospital or facility that has been inspected and is properly accredited by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and the FDA’s role:
Our body’s tissues need oxygen to function. The air we breathe is 21% oxygen. HBOT involves breathing 100% oxygen while in a special space called a hyperbaric chamber. The air pressure inside is raised to a level that is higher than normal air pressure. The increased air pressure in the chamber helps the lungs collect more oxygen. Getting more oxygen to the tissues that need it can help the body heal and fight certain infections. However, too much oxygen can cause damage to the body. The FDA regulates both the oxygen used in HBOT and the hyperbaric chambers, which are generally a tube large enough to hold one person or a room that can accommodate more than one person.
PLEASE NOTE: Risks of hyperbaric oxygen therapy
When HBOT chambers are used for indications cleared by the FDA, HBOT is generally safe, and serious complications are rare.Because of the increased pressure and increased concentration of the oxygen during HBOT, potential risks include:
Ear and sinus pain
Middle ear injuries, including tympanic membrane rupture
Temporary vision changes
Lung collapse (rare)
High concentrations of oxygen also pose the risk of fire, which is one reason why the FDA recommends treatment at an accredited facility. Explosions and fires have occurred in HBOT chambers that have not been reviewed by the FDA and are located at unaccredited facilities.
HBOT is being studied for other conditions, including COVID-19. However, at this time, the FDA has not cleared or authorized the use of any HBOT device to treat COVID-19 or any conditions beyond those listed above. The website, clinicaltrials.gov, has more information on HBOT clinical trials for COVID-19 and other conditions.
Additional Information: If you have experienced serious health or safety problems related to HBOT, you can voluntarily report them to MedWatch, the FDA safety information and adverse event reporting program.
The Top 12 Benefits of NOVA HBOT include:
-
![Enhanced Wound Healing]()
Enhanced Wound Healing
HBOT accelerates tissue repair by increasing oxygen delivery to damaged areas, promoting faster recovery from wounds, burns, and surgical procedures.
-
![Reduced Inflammation]()
Reduced Inflammation
Oxygen therapy helps decrease swelling and inflammation, which can benefit conditions like arthritis, sports injuries, and autoimmune diseases.
