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.

Current as of: July 5, 2017

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine & Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & R. Steven Tharratt, MD, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care Medicine & W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.org.