Hyperbaric oxygen is a powerful therapeutic tool
Hyperbaric Oxygen is a powerful therapeutic tool that is used to address inflammation and hypoxia. Many conditions involve the creation of new blood vessels. It is important to know that this will take a series of treatments.
Hyperbaric Oxygen is a two part treatment which involves the manipulation of atmospheric pressure and the inhalation of in excess of 90% oxygen. In altering both, the primary transport method is via plasma (Henry’s Law)
Studies regarding hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on angiogenesis demonstrate an increased rate of blood vessel formation. As such, HBOT is a potent though underutilized therapeutic tool capable of augmenting conventional treatment for problematic wounds and grafts.
Neovascularization ( the formation of new blood vessels) occurs during wound healing and encompasses both angiogenesis and vasculogenesis, and the 2 should be distinguished from one another. Vasculogenesis occurs when bone-marrow-derived endothelial precursor cells (EPCs) migrate to damaged tissue to differentiate and grow into new vessels. Though not the focus of this blog post, it is worth briefly noting that HBOT increases the rate of vasculogenesis via its upregulation of nitric oxide, causing the bone marrow to produce greater numbers of EPCs. Angiogenesis, in contrast to vasculogenesis, is blood vessel growth that occurs as new vessels bud off from existing blood vessels.
Understanding how HBOT works comes only through exposure. Seeing is believing. This therapy is natural having relatively few side effects. Those occurring are mild in most cases and easily corrected.