Hungarian-born physicist, Edward Teller,
former science adviser to President Reagan and the father of the
hydrogen bomb, suffered a stroke at 74 years old. His doctor, a man
named Richard Neubauer, told him about an alternative medical
treatment that could restore his mobility, improve cognitive
function, and give him back his health.
Teller accepted Neubauer’s treatment recommendation, and recovered
almost immediately.
The treatment recommended by Dr. Neubauer was administration of
pure, pressurized oxygen. According to Edward, the remnants of his
stroke passed away within the first handful of therapy sessions.
Edward’s wife suffered from lung problems, and she, too, found
relief from her condition after undergoing exposure to the pure,
pressurized oxygen.
The name of the treatment Edward Teller received would later come to
be known as Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (also abbreviated as HBOT).
HBOT is an FDA-approved medical treatment in which 100% pure oxygen
is delivered to a patient through increased atmospheric pressure in
an enclosed chamber. When oxygen is delivered at pressures higher
than normal, it is dissolved and pushed deep into the blood cells,
blood plasma, lymph fluid, and cerebrospinal fluid.
Following his initial experience with HBOT, Teller was so impressed
by the effectiveness of hyperbaric therapy that he purchased his own
hyperbaric chamber for home use. It is said he spent an hour inside
of it every single day, until his death at the age of 95.
Edward Teller and his wife are just one of many testimonies
illustrating the benefits of hyperbaric chambers. HBOT has come a
long way since it was first introduced as an alternative to
traditional medicine, and now exists as a form of treatment in 1,500
of 2,000 hospitals nationwide.
Early Hyperbaric Pioneers Were Laughed At
As early as twenty years ago, a great many doctors would have
laughed at such a spectacular recovery achieved with nothing but
pure, pressurized oxygen.
In fact, some did more than laugh. The pioneers in the field of HBOT
were subjected to severe criticism by their medical colleagues, who
rejected their findings as “absurd” even as credible evidence and
positive patient testimony continued to mount.
Today, many doctors and patients still remain somewhat skeptical
regarding the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The use of
something as simple as a breathable compound would seem too
straightforward a remedy for a condition as complex as anemia,
gangrene or cyanide poisoning.
However, the tide is beginning to change. Nowadays, over 30,000 HBOT
treatments are done per day across the country.
In addition to their clinical prevalence and increased usage in
hospital settings, the popularity of home hyperbaric chambers is on
the rise. Inspired by an increasing number of patient success
stories, thousands of individuals looking to benefit from oxygen
therapy now purchase hyperbaric chambers for in-home use.
This easy access to HBOT is appealing to patients with busy
lifestyles, or who simply want the option of climbing inside the
oxygen-rich environment whenever is most convenient for them.
Beyond its thirteen FDA-approved uses, HBOT is also used to treat a
myriad of different cognitive, physical and developmental
disabilities. Many times, the purchase of a personal HBOT chamber
reflects an individual’s desire to utilize the therapy for any
number of off-brand uses, including but not limited to autism
spectrum disorder, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s,
anxiety disorders, insomnia, and depression.
If this information is surprising to you, continue reading for a
list of 13 unexpected and interesting facts surrounding HBOT, and
its rise to popularity in the field of modern medicine.
1. Deep-Sea Diving Began the Journey of Hyperbaric Medicine
Although hyperbaric oxygen therapy may seem like a relatively new
treatment, the use of pressurized gas in medicine has ancient roots.
The development of hyperbaric medicine in closely linked to the
history of deep-sea diving. Even though the origin of diving is not
known, it is believed that early breath-holding divers dated back
more than 5,000 years ago.
The earliest divers would submerge themselves deep underwater with a
single breath while performing a variety of tasks such as harvesting
pearls, coral, and sponges, as well as ship salvaging and
spearfishing.
According to legend, Alexander the Great was lowered into the
Bosphorus Straits in a glass vessel, giving him a great advantage in
the siege of Tyre.
2. The First Hyperbaric Chamber Dates More Than 300 Years Ago
The first hyperbaric chamber was created in 1662, by British
physician Hank Henshaw. He named it “Domicilium”, and hand-pumped
ambient air into the airtight vessel by use of organ bellows.
Through a series of experiments using varying atmospheric pressures,
Henshaw discovered that reduced chamber pressure galvanized symptom
relief in individuals with chronic illnesses, while those with acute
disorders responded better to an environment with increased
pressure.
Stroke & Hyperbaric Chambers HBOT
In the absence of scientific evidence to support his findings,
Henshaw used his observations to draw the independent conclusion
that patients suffering from acute conditions would benefit from
increased atmospheric pressure, while those suffering from chronic
medical conditions would have more to gain from a rarefied climate.
Henshaw further claimed that Domicilium would help digestion,
facilitate breathing and expectoration, and overall provide an
excellent treatment for wide varieties of upper respiratory
conditions.
It is both important and interesting to note that Henshaw’s chamber
relied solely on the effects of varied atmospheric pressure, and
operated with ambient air - not pure oxygen, as many modern
hyperbaric chambers do.
Still, Henshaw’s invention created a remarkable starting point for
scientific expansion into the practice of hyperbaric oxygen
medicine, and provided a successful model for other hyperbaric
pioneers.
3. Hyperbaric Chambers Precede the Discovery of Oxygen
Although hyperbaric therapy has been used since 1662, oxygen wasn’t
discovered until 1775 by English scientist Joseph Priestley.
From the get-go, many scientists were skeptical about the benefits
of pure oxygen, and also hesitated to use it under increased
pressure. It wasn’t until 1917 that doctors more fully understood
the potential advantage of using hyperbaric oxygen in medical
settings. This change of mind directly correlated with science-based
decisions to incorporate an oxygen regimen into relief of
decompression sickness.
Decades later, the military developed and tested hyperbaric chambers
specifically for purposes related to deep sea diving and
aeronautics.
During the 1960's, studies took a more general approach,
highlighting the broad application of hyperbaric chambers.
4. Edmond Halley and the History of Hyperbaric Chambers
Adoration of the sea inspired many an inventor to conceive a device
which would supply air to the deep-sea diver.
As far back as the 1400’s, Leonardo Da Vinci was drafting sketches
of various diving appliances.
But it was Edmund Halley, the astronomer after which the Halley
comet is named, who raised the problem of differences between
barometric pressure and height above the sea level.
In 1690, Halley developed a diving bell in which the pressure was
regulated by waves of air sent down from the surface above.
In an attempt to prove that his apparatus worked, Halley and his
companions dove 60 feet in the River Thames, successfully remaining
there for an hour and a half.
Not content to stop at this initial victory, Edmund composed and
contributed several improvements to his glass bell, ultimately
extending his underwater exposure to over four hours.
However, Halley’s bell was a bit cumbersome and proved unwieldy. In
addition to its tedious physical framework, the first divers to use
the bell discovered a complicated physical repercussion: if they
attempted to surface too rapidly, their bodies suffered intense
pain.
This unforeseen consequence associated with Halley’s first dives
opened the door to the discovery of one of the best-known medical
complications associated with diving: decompression sickness.
5. Hyperbaric Chambers Were All the Rage in 19th Century France
French physicists and inventors led the way in hyperbaric medicine
by creating and improving the original hyperbaric chambers.
French doctor Marcel Junod was a champion of hyperbaric therapy, and
propagated the theory that exposure to between two and four ATA
(absolute atmospheres) would improve cerebral blood flow, increase
blood circulation to internal organs, and produce a feeling of
relaxation and well-being.
Inspired by Junod’s remarks, his colleague Gabriel Pravaz then built
a hyperbaric chamber. Applying Junod’s analysis, he used the
combination of oxygen and increased atmospheric pressure to
successfully treat a wide variety of conditions, ranging from
tuberculosis to laryngitis.
6. The First Mobile Hyperbaric Operating Theater Was Developed in
France
By 1877, hyperbaric chambers were available in all major cities
throughout Europe.
With the ever-evolving chamber model experiencing a continual stream
of improvement, it wasn’t long before first mobile hyperbaric
chamber was developed. The invention took place in France, and was
endorsed for patients suffering from asthma, anemia, and chronic
bronchitis.
This advancement was considered a great achievement. The mobile
hyperbaric chamber soared in popularity, and within a three month
period, 27 surgical operations were documented to have been
performed in a hyperbaric chamber environment.
7. Hyperbaric Therapy Didn’t Gain Traction in America Until the
Early Twenties
The first hyperbaric chamber arrived in the United States around the
year 1860. However, in spite of its arrival at the crest of
widespread European acclaim, the science of hyperbarics fell to the
wayside of American medicine until the 1920’s, when a doctor named
Orval Cunningham built his own personal chamber.
At the time he crafted his own hyperbaric unit, Cunningham was also
using his invention to treat private patients suffering from Spanish
influenza.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) Treatments
Upon studying the disease closely, Cunningham noted that effects of
the influenza were more powerful in areas of high elevation. Armed
with this new discovery, he came to the conclusion that the
barometric factor played a key role in the evolution of the ailment.
Cunningham began testing his findings on patients in various
pressure settings, hoping to prove that his discovery could bring an
end to the terrible disease.
Unfortunately, his experiments were halted by the financial downturn
of the Great Depression, and metal used in the construction of his
hyperbaric unit was scrapped for material assistance with the war
effort in the 1940’s.
8. The Biggest Hyperbaric Chamber Ever Built Was Five Stories High
Doctor Cunningham built the largest hyperbaric chamber ever
commissioned in history.
Debuting on December 1st, 1928 to much fanfare, the “air chamber
hospital” eventually scraped for parts was five stories high,
complete with twelve bedrooms on each floor. No luxury was spared in
furnishing the hospital, and it was widely considered to be a
progressive medical wonder.
At that time, in addition to being enormous in stature, Doctor
Cunningham’s hyperbaric facility was the only active hyperbaric
facility in the world.
9. Not All Hyperbaric Chambers Are Created Equal
Commonly, hyperbaric chambers fall into two main categories:
monoplace chambers and multiplace chambers.
Monoplace chambers are designed to accommodate one patient at a
time, while multiplace chambers can hold up to 18 patients at once.
There is another distinction worth mentioning: the differences in
physiological impact between hardside hyperbaric chambers and soft
(or mild) chambers.
By regulation of the FDA, hard-sided hyperbaric chambers may only be
used in licensed hospitals and medical centers. These devices are
generally very expensive, and not available for recreational in-home
use.
Soft hyperbaric chambers, on the other hand, are a wonderful option
for individuals who want to enjoy the benefits of mild hyperbaric
oxygen therapy (mHBOT) in the privacy of their homes.
Lightweight, affordable, and convenient, these mild hyperbaric
chambers are available with a prescription and are approved by the
FDA for personal and portable use.
At times, they may even be utilized in a home environment following
a course of hospital-grade hyperbaric oxygen therapy to increase the
effectiveness of the treatment. Patients may also use it prior to
treatment to analyze their response to the clinic-style therapy.
Differing from traditional HBOT in terms of pressure capability,
mHBOT are most frequently used and purchased to treat conditions not
yet approved by the FDA, such as autism, cerebral palsy, and a
variety of neurological disorders.
Because the FDA approval process is extensive and many cognitive and
developmental impairments exist on a spectrum, it can be difficult
to gauge the exact effectiveness of hyperbaric therapy as a
treatment plan for individuals across the board.
Even so, mHBOT is backed with thousands of user testimonies
regarding its ability to restore and prevent both the widespread and
localized deterioration of cells, tissue, and organs.
The absence of an FDA approval does not necessarily mean that mHBOT
is a harmful or static treatment. It simply means that one specific
outcome for any illness being treated cannot be expected or
guaranteed.
Perhaps the biggest advantage of in-home hyperbaric chambers is that
users can better fit hyperbaric therapy into their busy schedule. By
purchasing or renting a mHBOT chamber, users receive many of the
same the benefits of traditional HBOT without having to make an
appointment or travel to a specialized medical center.
10. Home Hyperbaric Chambers are a Best-Kept Hollywood Secret
Home hyperbaric chambers have been around for nearly two decades.
Following tabloid-published photos of pop singer Michael Jackson
lying in a bizarre glass vessel in 1986, the public’s interest
hyperbaric therapy spiked. It was rumored the unusual medical device
was a fountain of youth that could help the artist live up to 150
years.
The King of Pop wasn’t the only celebrity to use a home hyperbaric
chamber. According to journalists, Keanu Reeves also sought a
prescription for in-home hyperbaric treatment to provide relief from
his insomnia.
Keanu was known to enjoy the soft-sided portable chamber at his
Hollywood home, and, at times, would bring it to movie sets,
convincing his colleagues to give the treatment a try.
11. Many Professional Athletes Use Home Hyperbaric Chambers
Professional athletes are amongst those celebrities utilizing
hyperbaric therapy - but not necessarily for its anti-aging
qualities.
NFL star Tim Tebow first purchased his mHBOT unit in 2008, and
gained notoriety for using it to accelerate the recovery process
following sports practices and demanding personal workouts.
Steelers wide-receiver Hines Ward and Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps
are also advocates for the regenerative qualities of hyperbaric
therapy, detailing its ability to cut down on recovery time by
increasing blood flow to damaged tissue and strained muscles.
12. Hyperbaric Therapy is Straightforward, Yet Complex. Navigate It
with Care.
There is a reason why patients in hospital or clinic settings are
required to remove items such as street clothing, wigs, hearing
aids, eyeglasses, watches, shoes, car keys, heating patches,
electronics, jewelry, and any exterior metal parts. In addition, the
more obvious objects such as matches, cigarettes, hairspray,
batteries, and coins are strictly prohibited.
While oxygen will not spontaneously combust, the risk for fire
increases significantly in an environment comprised of pure,
concentrated oxygen. If a spark fizzles when placed under a glass,
it will spread when fed oxygen-rich air.
In order to prevent any flame-related incidents in or around the
hyperbaric chamber, most facilities will require patients to come
dressed in loose-fitting clothing or change into a cotton dressing
gown upon arrival.
While seldom mandatory, it is also considered courteous to forgo the
application of perfume, cologne, scented lotions or hair product
before undergoing treatment. This is due to the enclosed nature of
the chamber, and also maintains a neutral sensory environment for
the next patient receiving treatment.
Individuals purchasing a mHBOt chamber for in-home use are advised
to set up their device in an area free of sprawling electronic
devices, as spark and static electricity can be aggravating factors
to the safety of the environment. Use or purchase of hyperbaric
bolsters adds an additional level of safety to chamber use, and will
ensure the mHBOT unit remains upright, even in the event of impact
or adjustment.
As long as properly used and treated with care, both HBOT and mHBOT
chamber units will continue to exist as safe and user-friendly
treatment options.
13. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is Extremely Low-Risk
While possible side-effects of prescription medication range from
heart conditions to mental chemical imbalance and loss of muscle
coordination, hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been proven to pose
minimal risk to users, regardless of age and physical state.
The most common side effect of a HBOT session is tightness in the
ears and sinus canal. This is due to the atmospheric change in the
chamber, and individuals may experience mild discomfort during the
pressurization and depressurization stages akin to the feeling of
flying aboard a commercial aircraft.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Autism
For inner ear relief, specialists operating the hyperbaric session
recommend that patients yawn, swallow, or apply pressure to the base
of their nose and gently blow.
Another possible side effect of HBOT is worsening of cataracts in
patients with pre-existing vision impairment. While hyperbaric
therapy will not create cataracts, the increased pressure of the
environment has the potential to aggravate oxidative damage if a
condition is present.
Taken to the extreme, oxygen toxicity may manifest itself in
individuals exposed to an inappropriate amount of oxygen over an
extended period of time.
However, oxygen toxicity is considered extremely rare, and is easily
prevented by undergoing treatment at a medical facility where
progress can be monitored and the individual maintains a treatment
plan consistent with a doctor’s recommendation.
In summary
Because HBOT is gentle and non-invasive in nature, it continues to
grow in prevalence as a powerful treatment when used on its own, or
by providing a beneficial supplementary option to pre-existing
treatment plans.
Whether a person considers themselves to be a believer in hyperbaric
oxygen therapy as an effective treatment or a skeptic, it is
difficult to deny the substantial body of evidence demonstrating the
way oxygen works to heal our bodies from the inside out.
By stimulating the body to organically regrow and regenerate healthy
cells, HBOT is an anomaly in a medical field often relying on
complicated medical procedures and a myriad of prescription remedies
to treat the most basic of ailments.
Source
The choice to undergo HBOT has the potential for dozens of lasting
benefits, including (but not limited to) skin regeneration, rapid
wound healing, boost in red blood cells, tissue restoration,
cognitive improvement, alleviation of anxiety, and promotion of
overall well-being.
