Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber: Benefits, Uses, and Key Facts

A hyperbaric oxygen chamber is a pressurized medical device that delivers 100% oxygen to patients at atmospheric pressures higher than normal sea level. This specialized treatment originally developed for treating decompression sickness in divers has expanded to address various medical conditions including wound healing, carbon monoxide poisoning, and radiation-related tissue damage. The therapy works by significantly increasing the amount of oxygen dissolved in the patient’s blood plasma, which can reach tissues more effectively than oxygen carried by red blood cells alone. Patients typically receive treatment sessions lasting one to two hours inside either individual chambers or larger multi-person units. Understanding how these chambers function, their medical applications, and associated risks helps patients and healthcare providers make informed decisions about this treatment..