Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy |
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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Article
Mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a form of oxygen therapy that raises
the levels of oxygen in the body's blood plasma. Increased oxygen in the
plasma leads to higher amounts of oxygen being delivered to the body's
tissues, organs and brain.
The therapy allows additional amounts of
oxygen to be dissolved into the plasma and enter the tissues directly.
Mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy promotes relaxation, stimulates the
body's healing processes, increases stamina and endurance and also helps
the body to return to a state of balance and wellbeing.
Why Do We Need Oxygen?
Oxygen is a vital part of our lives and it is used for all of the body's
essential functions. For example, the brain - which is only two percent
of our total weight - uses more than twenty percent of the body's
oxygen. Only ten percent of our energy comes from the food that we eat,
while the remaining ninety percent comes from oxygen.
Bacteria, toxins,
viruses and parasites cannot survive in an oxygen rich environment.
If the body's intake of oxygen is insufficient for whatever reason, then
the body will be thrown out of balance. In today's world, the most
important factor that causes diminished oxygen intake is pollution.
Cooked, processed and canned food also tends to be lower in oxygen
content, as are foods that are higher in fat.
Reasons for Oxygen Therapy
Because oxygen deficiency is often overlooked, it is not seen as being a
cause for symptoms or diseases. Some systems that may result from an
imbalanced oxygen flow include premature ageing, depression, anger,
fatigue, dullness, and a general feeling of sluggishness. If the
imbalance is chronic, the immune system is weakened and we are left more
susceptible to germs and viruses and, therefore, diseases.
Some reasons for mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy include allergies,
arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, circulatory problems, acid stomach,
stress, headaches, migraines, eczema, psoriasis, sports injuries and
sleeping disorders.
This therapy can also be useful in physical exercise
and competitive sports.
This type of oxygen therapy has also been found useful in assisting
people with diabetic complications, impaired lung capacity, heart
disease, as well as cancer patients, patients recovering from plastic or
cosmetic surgery, and patients suffering from stroke, Alzheimer,
Parkinson, brain dysfunctions and HIV-related disorders.
Benefits
There are several benefits to this form of therapy including:
* improves strength, energy and endurance
* relieves tension and stress
* improves concentration and memory
* detoxifies the blood
* promotes healing and counters ageing
* strengthens heart and lungs
* natural remedy for headaches and migraines
* improves metabolism and aids digestion
* reduces fatigue and improves sleeping patterns
* relieves muscle stiffness
* improves skin conditions
The Procedure
The treatment takes place inside a specially designed inflatable chamber
that uses filtered ambient air with an additional oxygen concentrator to
deliver oxygen to the body safely. The therapist will take a full
medical history and discuss your lifestyle and health goals before any
treatment is commenced.
Because you will be fully clothed during the treatment, it is
recommended that you wear loose, comfortable clothing. The chamber looks
smaller deflated and will be larger when it is fully pressurized. The
chamber inflates within one minute and upon full inflation there will be
enough room to sit upright or to lie down comfortably. After the
inflation, the chamber will pressurize and this is a similar feeling to
ascending or descending in a plane. Once at full pressure, you just
breathe normally. You may take a book or magazine into the chamber,
meditate, listen to music or simply sleep.
Each treatment lasts for 60 minutes and after the treatment, you may
carry on with your day as normal. You are also able to eat and drink as
soon as the treatment finishes. Occasional oxygen therapy treatments are
recommended to ensure that oxygen levels remain at optimum.
However, there are some situations in which this therapy should not be
used and they include if you have ear canal problems or an ear
infection; pregnancy; glaucoma; or flu and cold symptoms.
Additionally,
you should not undertake treatment if you are inebriated, or if you are
wearing perfume or cologne.
