Air/Gas Embolism is when an air or gas bubble is introduced inadvertently into the arterial circulation during surgical procedures, diving accidents, and/or diagnostic monitoring procedures, to name a few.  Hyperbaric oxygen therapy reduces the volume of the gas bubbles and increases the absorption rate of said gas.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is one of the leading causes of injury and death by poisoning worldwide. Because CO is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and non-irritating gas, its presence is difficult to detect.  To insure good clinical outcome and reduce neurological sequelae, early diagnosis and treatment with hyperbaric oxygen is essential.

This occurs when fluid develops in injured skeletal muscle causing blood flow interruption. Due to the primary problems brought about by this condition, ischemia and edema, hyperbaric oxygen is used to reduce damage because it hyperoxygenates tissue and reduces edema.

Decompression Sickness (DCS) or Decompression Illness (DCI) occurs when bubbles of inert gas become trapped in tissue and/or blood, sufficient to interfere with organ function. This problem can be caused by rapid decompression during ascent from diving, flying or a hyperbaric/hypobaric chamber. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the only treatment for this disorder.

Regardless of etiology, the basic mechanism of non-healing wounds is an interplay between varying degrees of tissue hypoperfusion and infection.  Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an adjunct to current medical surgical treatment.

When this occurs and a person loses a sufficient amount of blood, oxygen delivery to tissues is compromised and ischemia will develop unless oxygen is restored properly. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used to supply sufficient oxygen to a patient who cannot be transfused because of medical or religious reasons.

Gas gangrene (Clostridial Myositis and Myonecrosis) is a severe acute and rapidly progressive infection, usually occurring in patients with compound and/or complicated fractures with extensive soft tissue injuries. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, in conjunction with surgery and antibiotics, is the preferred treatment.

Intracranial Abscess (ICA) infectious disorders have a high morbidity and mortality rate.Use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy may inhibit infection, reduce brain swelling and enhance the body’s defense mechanisms.

Necrotizing soft tissue infections are normally caused by aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and should initially be treated surgically as well as with appropriate antibiotics. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, when used as an adjunct can prove to be cost effective as well as lifesaving. When treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, oxygen tissue levels should rise sufficiently to inhibit bacterial growth and enhance white blood cells; neutrophils to kill bacteria.

Radiation injuries can occur months and even years after radiation exposure. Radiation treatment is designed to destroy a malignancy and subsequently, normal tissue cells are also damaged. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used to enhance neovascularization in irradiated and hypoxic tissue.

The translation of this word is “inflammation of the bone”. Refractory means chronic. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment is again an adjunct therapy used in association with surgical and infectious disease therapies.

Tissue that is compromised by irradiation or in other cases where there has been decreased perfusion or hypoxia, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help maximize the viability of the compromised tissue.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is presently utilized to treat serious burns (greater than 20% total body surface), partial or full thickness injury, or with involvement of the hands, face, feet or perineum. Working in close conjunction with comprehensive burn care program, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can improve survival, reduce the length of hospital stay, and lessen the need for surgery.