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Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
What is it? How does it work? How long is a session? How long should therapy continue for? Very common questions from anyone who has ever come across this fast growing field of medicine. Despite the number of those who ask the questions, definitive answers lack throughout the industry. On the contrary, blind assumptions have lead ubiquitous amounts of misinformation into an industry already hurting from its own internal politics. The aim of this article is not to address politics, rather to provide historical and scientific premises through which these frequently asked questions can be answered.
Let's begin our journey by first looking at the definition of "mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy". Technically, mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy would be the application of pressure less than 1.5 ata with 100% oxygen. Any level of oxygen less than 100% does not constitute hyperbaric oxygen therapy, rather hyperbaric therapy. In fact, the major regulatory organizations don't even recognize low pressure hyperbaric therapy as hyperbaric; instead they have chosen to define it as "compressed air" therapy. This is not to say that 100% oxygen could not be delivered to a patient at pressures below 1.5 ata in a monoplace (single person) chamber; however 100% oxygen is not delivered inside a soft-portable chamber typically utilized to deliver these lower pressures. As a result, what is often referred to as mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy, mild HBOT, and even HBOT; often does not meet the requirements of the definition.
This may seem confusing to those who are under the impression that they are receiving 100% oxygen (or close to) when inside a soft-portable chamber and wearing a mask that is connected to an external oxygen concentrator or oxygen tank. The first problem with this scenario is that an O2 concentrator may only be delivering 85-95% percent purity, never 100%. The second problem relies in the fitting of an oxygen mask or breathing apparatus. Due to the lack of a tight seal around the bridge of the nose, the cheeks, and the chin; as the patient breathes in, air from outside the mask is mixed with the air inside the mask resulting in a much lower breathing O2 purity level that actually reaches the lungs. This purity level could be anywhere between 40 and 60%, definitely well below the definitive standards of true hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This does not mean that the additional oxygen is not of benefit, it simply means that it is not at a level to "technically" be defined under the term hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Personally, I believe compressed air therapy is a low blow (no pun intended) from those who don't understand the therapy and from those who have the most to lose from its growing public awareness. I have chosen to use the term "Mild Hyperbaric Therapy" when speaking or referencing the treatment. After all, "mild" denotes less than 1.5 ATA, "hyperbaric" denotes increased pressure, and "therapy" is a pretty straight forward term that I feel needs no further definition. In the end, all this "jar jar" says nothing to the effectiveness nor scientific basis of how the therapy actually works, which in my opinion... is much more important.
Please note: prior to reading this article, it is not the authors intention to design therapy protocols, rather to invite the reader to think outside the box in regards to hyperbaric therapies and to provide basic essential knowledge to do so.
Important: The following sections introduces concepts which may be foreign and new to the reader. In order to best understand and comprehend, the author suggests the reader work each of the example problems on a sheet of paper while reading through the article. Simply reading over the next two sections of the article without actually taking the time to understand each mathematical example may not provide the "ah hah" experience they are intended for. In addition, although the reader may skip to a later section to learn specifically about duration and frequency. Further, It is suggested that the article be read in its entirety from start to finish as previously introduced concepts are used throughout the article as the basis for understanding later discussions.
Continue to... ATA, ATM, PSI, and PSIG
Diffusion, Partial Pressures, and Concentration Gradients
Effects of Treatment Duration on Tissue Saturation
The Importance of Frequency
What is it? How does it work? How long is a session? How long should therapy continue for? Very common questions from anyone who has ever come across this fast growing field of medicine. Despite the number of those who ask the questions, definitive answers lack throughout the industry. On the contrary, blind assumptions have lead ubiquitous amounts of misinformation into an industry already hurting from its own internal politics. The aim of this article is not to address politics, rather to provide historical and scientific premises through which these frequently asked questions can be answered.
Let's begin our journey by first looking at the definition of "mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy". Technically, mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy would be the application of pressure less than 1.5 ata with 100% oxygen. Any level of oxygen less than 100% does not constitute hyperbaric oxygen therapy, rather hyperbaric therapy. In fact, the major regulatory organizations don't even recognize low pressure hyperbaric therapy as hyperbaric; instead they have chosen to define it as "compressed air" therapy. This is not to say that 100% oxygen could not be delivered to a patient at pressures below 1.5 ata in a monoplace (single person) chamber; however 100% oxygen is not delivered inside a soft-portable chamber typically utilized to deliver these lower pressures. As a result, what is often referred to as mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy, mild HBOT, and even HBOT; often does not meet the requirements of the definition.
This may seem confusing to those who are under the impression that they are receiving 100% oxygen (or close to) when inside a soft-portable chamber and wearing a mask that is connected to an external oxygen concentrator or oxygen tank. The first problem with this scenario is that an O2 concentrator may only be delivering 85-95% percent purity, never 100%. The second problem relies in the fitting of an oxygen mask or breathing apparatus. Due to the lack of a tight seal around the bridge of the nose, the cheeks, and the chin; as the patient breathes in, air from outside the mask is mixed with the air inside the mask resulting in a much lower breathing O2 purity level that actually reaches the lungs. This purity level could be anywhere between 40 and 60%, definitely well below the definitive standards of true hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This does not mean that the additional oxygen is not of benefit, it simply means that it is not at a level to "technically" be defined under the term hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Personally, I believe compressed air therapy is a low blow (no pun intended) from those who don't understand the therapy and from those who have the most to lose from its growing public awareness. I have chosen to use the term "Mild Hyperbaric Therapy" when speaking or referencing the treatment. After all, "mild" denotes less than 1.5 ATA, "hyperbaric" denotes increased pressure, and "therapy" is a pretty straight forward term that I feel needs no further definition. In the end, all this "jar jar" says nothing to the effectiveness nor scientific basis of how the therapy actually works, which in my opinion... is much more important.
Please note: prior to reading this article, it is not the authors intention to design therapy protocols, rather to invite the reader to think outside the box in regards to hyperbaric therapies and to provide basic essential knowledge to do so.
Important: The following sections introduces concepts which may be foreign and new to the reader. In order to best understand and comprehend, the author suggests the reader work each of the example problems on a sheet of paper while reading through the article. Simply reading over the next two sections of the article without actually taking the time to understand each mathematical example may not provide the "ah hah" experience they are intended for. In addition, although the reader may skip to a later section to learn specifically about duration and frequency. Further, It is suggested that the article be read in its entirety from start to finish as previously introduced concepts are used throughout the article as the basis for understanding later discussions.
Continue to... ATA, ATM, PSI, and PSIG
Diffusion, Partial Pressures, and Concentration Gradients
Effects of Treatment Duration on Tissue Saturation
The Importance of Frequency
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Note: The content presented throughout the following website is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, or replace medical counsel in any way. The author encourages all readers to further research any topics of interest and reminds the reader that the comments and materials being presented do not necessarily constitute scientific fact and may contain opinions, theories, and third party views not widely accepted.
Note: The content presented throughout the following website is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, or replace medical counsel in any way. The author encourages all readers to further research any topics of interest and reminds the reader that the comments and materials being presented do not necessarily constitute scientific fact and may contain opinions, theories, and third party views not widely accepted.
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New Videos! New Setup, Usage & Operations Videos for Summit to Sea Chambers at Dive Hyperbarics
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Mild Hyperbaric Defined: Learn all about the science and application of mild hyperbaric
www.mildhbot.com
New Articles at Discover Hyperbaric! Learn about hyperbaric and its role in athletic performance and recovery
www.discoverhyperbaric.com
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Rental Units Ready to Ship! www.hyperbaricrental.com
New Clinics at the National Hyperbaric Directory!
www.hyperbaricnation.org
New Posts at Hyperbaric Warrior
www.hyperbaricwarrior.com
Leasing Options Available for consumer and commercial purchases. New and Used!
www.hyperbaric-lease.com
Shop Accessories at Ebay! Oxygen tubing, masks, cannulas, coolers, splitters, O2 sensors, and more. Learn more at...
www.dive-hyperbarics.com
www.dive-hyperbarics.com
New Videos! New Setup, Usage & Operations Videos for Summit to Sea Chambers at Dive Hyperbarics
www.dive-hyperbaric.com
Mild Hyperbaric Defined: Learn all about the science and application of mild hyperbaric
www.mildhbot.com
New Articles at Discover Hyperbaric! Learn about hyperbaric and its role in athletic performance and recovery
www.discoverhyperbaric.com
Used Hyperbaric Equipment! Used equipment with a money back gaurantee! www.UsedHyperbaric.com
Rental Units Ready to Ship! www.hyperbaricrental.com
New Clinics at the National Hyperbaric Directory!
www.hyperbaricnation.org
New Posts at Hyperbaric Warrior
www.hyperbaricwarrior.com
Leasing Options Available for consumer and commercial purchases. New and Used!
www.hyperbaric-lease.com
Shop Accessories at Ebay! Oxygen tubing, masks, cannulas, coolers, splitters, O2 sensors, and more. Learn more at...
www.dive-hyperbarics.com