Written by Mike Price, OT
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Interested in purchasing your own personal hyperbaric unit? Learn more about RehabMart’s soft-sided (mHBOT) chambers by browsing our comprehensive online product listing, and continue your research into the benefits of HBOT with our article 11 Ways Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Can Change Your Life.
Sources:
http://londondivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=history&page=7
http://www.madehow.com/Volume-7/Diving-Bell.html
https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/378
http://www.rsdhope.org/is-there-a-difference-between-hard-sided--soft-sided-hbot-chambers.html
http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1342615/more_pro_athletes_using_hyperbaric_chambers/
http://hboinfo.com/hhi/hard-vs-soft-chambers/
Co-Founder of Rehabmart and an Occupational Therapist since 1993. Mike has spent his professional career working in multiple areas of Occupational Therapy, including pediatrics, geriatrics, hand therapy, ergonomics and inpatient / outpatient rehabilitation. Mike enjoys writing articles that help people solve complex therapeutic problems and make better product choices.
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