Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment to increase a person's blood oxygen level, which can prevent tissue death, promote healing, and help fight infection. This treatment involves a person being in an enclosed chamber while 100% oxygen is pumped in at high pressure.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be used to treat conditions such as severe carbon monoxide poisoning, some types of infections, decompression sickness, burns, extreme blood loss, and injuries that cut off oxygen supply to the muscles and other soft tissues.
Large medical centers can often provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy, but it may not be available in smaller hospitals.
| Author | Lila Havens |
| Author | Sabra L. Katz-Wise |
| Editor | Katy E. Magee, MA |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Michele Cronen |
| Associate Editor | Terrina Vail |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | R. Steven Tharratt, MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care, Medical Toxicology |
| Last Updated | April 14, 2006 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
April 14, 2006
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