Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized room or tube, which is known as a hyperbaric chamber. In these chambers, the air pressure is increased to three times higher than normal air pressure, allowing your lungs to gather more oxygen than they would at normal air pressure. Here are some potential benefits and uses of hyperbaric oxygen therapy: Accelerates Healing: HBOT can increase the amount of oxygen that reaches the tissues of the body, which can aid in the healing process. This can be particularly beneficial for wound healing, including in cases of delayed radiation injury (soft tissue and bony necrosis), compromised skin grafts, and chronic refractory wounds such as those seen in diabetes. Treats Decompression Sickness: Decompression sickness (also known as "the bends") is a hazard of scuba diving and can also occur during high-altitude activities. The increased pressure of oxygen in the body during HBOT can help replace the bubbles of gas that can accumulate in body tissues and blood during decompression sickness. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is often used as an emergency treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning. The high pressure of oxygen helps to remove the carbon monoxide from the body, reducing symptoms and preventing long-term damage. Adjunctive Therapy for Severe Infections: Certain infections, such as necrotizing soft tissue infections or serious bone infections (osteomyelitis), can be challenging to treat due to the decreased ability of oxygen to reach these infected areas. HBOT can be used adjunctively to increase oxygen delivery to these tissues. Radiation Injury: Sometimes patients who have undergone radiation therapy for cancer can suffer from delayed injuries to normal tissues (like bladder, bowel, or bone), which can be hard to heal due to radiation-induced blood vessel injury. HBOT can stimulate the growth of new blood vessels and improve oxygen delivery to these areas. Neurological Conditions: While still a topic of ongoing research, some studies suggest potential benefits in certain neurological conditions, including sudden sensorineural hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and multiple sclerosis. More research is needed to establish the extent of benefit and eligible patient populations in these conditions.