Oxygen Therapy Pros and Cons

Posted by alvina on December 31st, 2019

Oxygen is something we use every day and is vital for our survival. Some people may have a condition that affects the way they take in oxygen. Oxygen therapy is a treatment that gives the body extra oxygen when needed. As with almost everything there are pros and cons to receiving oxygen therapy and it’s always important to be aware of your options.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is breathing in pure oxygen in a room or small chamber. This is one of the more controversial ways of receiving oxygen as there is a lot of risks that come with the benefits. This oxygen chamber can help with scuba divers who need treatment for decompression sickness, also known as “the bends”. HBOT will help them return to the depth they were at while diving and gradually decompress, which will eliminate the bubbles that formed in their bodies from diving. HBOT is used for several other conditions such as anemia, burns, arterial injuries and radiation injuries. This is also the biggest therapy to help people who have fibromyalgia. Oxygen therapy for fibromyalgia and treatment options are not extremely helpful, however it’s found that HBOT is the most effective in relieving some symptoms. Fibromyalgia is a condition that includes chronic widespread pain, its usually treated with therapies, drugs and lifestyle changes. By going into a HBOT chamber there’s an increase in oxygen flow to the body tissues which may improve healing and relieve pain. HBOT also is known to help with cognitive improvements in the brain. Individuals suffering from cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer’s could benefit from using HBOT. Studies suggested that the pure oxygen therapy will increase support in tissue repair by increasing the solubility of oxygen in plasma. HBOT can be a way of neuro-therapy by helping the brain repair its tissue. This can also be useful by helping individuals who suffer from a traumatic brain injury, as increased oxygen flow is assumed to help with the repair of brain tissue.

HBOT Cons

On the contrary it is not approved to treat conditions like asthma, migraine, strokes, brain injuries, spinal injuries and many more. HBOT should only be used for approved conditions as it may worsen the existing problem if not approved. Inappropriate usage of HBOT can lead to many side effects since it is involves taking in oxygen at a high pressure. It may cause damage to the ears , sinuses, eyes, teeth and lungs. Too much pure oxygen entering the body’s tissues can lead to complications that include a collapsed lung, increased blood pressure and convulsions. Anyone considering HBOT should first consult their doctor and weigh out if it’s the best option for their condition.

Everything has its pros and cons but it’s important to be educated and make sure that the treatment you’re receiving is the best possible option for your specific condition. HBOT has many up sides and can significantly help people in a variety of different ways for conditions that they suffer from. However if used for the wrong things it can worsen symptoms and cause serious side effects.