The Benefits of Oxygen Therapy for Chronic Conditions
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Ready to take your body’s healing abilities to the next level?
Oxygen therapy has been providing relief to those living with chronic conditions for years, and the results are clear…
The good news?
Access to state-of-the-art oxygen therapy treatments has never been better. If you’re suffering from chronic wounds, respiratory illnesses, or any other long-term medical challenges, you need to take a closer look at oxygen therapy.
Here’s what we’re covering:
- What Is Oxygen Therapy?
- Why Oxygen Therapy Works for Chronic Conditions
- Top 5 Benefits of Oxygen Therapy
- Types of Oxygen Therapy Available
- Is Oxygen Therapy Right for You?
What Is Oxygen Therapy?
Put simply, oxygen therapy is a medical treatment that uses high concentrations of oxygen to help your body heal.
The thing is…
Your cells and tissues need sufficient amounts of oxygen in order to function. When you suffer from a chronic condition, your body often can’t get the oxygen it needs where it’s needed most.
Room air only contains about 21% oxygen. But with oxygen therapy, you can get anywhere from 90-100% pure oxygen delivered to you. This helps your body heal faster and more efficiently.
There are a few different types of oxygen delivery systems to know about:
- Supplemental oxygen: Delivered by nasal cannulas or masks, this oxygen is at normal atmospheric pressure.
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT): A pressurized chamber is used to deliver this oxygen at 2-3 times normal air pressure.
Both can be used to treat chronic conditions. For those interested in cutting-edge oxygen therapy treatments, you can search online for hyperbaric chamber for sale to learn more about your clinical and home HBOT options from top suppliers.
Cool, right?
Why Oxygen Therapy Works for Chronic Conditions
Don’t take it from us, here’s why this medical treatment works so well…
Injecting higher levels of oxygen into your system dramatically increases the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream and tissues. The results?
Your body’s natural healing mechanisms work overtime.
Here’s why this is…
Increased oxygen stimulates your body to grow new blood vessels in damaged or under-performing tissues. This increased blood flow then pumps more nutrients and immune cells to damaged tissues, promoting faster healing and tissue repair. It also strengthens white blood cell action against pathogens.
Research supports this. According to the International Diabetes Federation, the projected adult population with diabetes is expected to reach from 589 million in 2024 to 853 million by 2050. This increase in chronic disease will fuel the demand for fast and effective wound healing methods for chronic conditions.
And that’s exactly where oxygen therapy comes in.
Top 5 Benefits of Oxygen Therapy
Let’s take a look at some of the specific benefits of oxygen therapy you can experience…
1. Accelerated Wound Healing
This is perhaps the most well-known benefit of oxygen therapy.
Non-healing wounds that won’t respond to traditional treatments often improve quickly with oxygen therapy. This includes diabetic foot ulcers, pressure sores, and even surgical wounds that fail to close up after procedures.
Extra oxygen stimulates collagen production and formation of new tissue. For diabetics especially, oxygen therapy is often life-changing.
2. Reduced Inflammation
Chronic inflammation is the root of many long-term health conditions.
Oxygen therapy has been found to reduce inflammation in the body. This is associated with less pain and improved overall function.
Think about it…
When inflammation decreases, your body can focus its energy on healing rather than being stuck in a chronic inflammatory state.
3. Improved Brain Function
Fun fact…
Studies have shown that oxygen therapy can also improve cognitive function for certain patients. A study published in Scientific Reports found that hyperbaric oxygen therapy improved neurocognitive functions in post-COVID patients with symptoms lasting at least 3 months.
The potential implications for people with long-term neurological symptoms are huge.
4. Better Quality of Life
Living with a chronic health condition is hard work. Many patients experience significant improvements in quality of life with oxygen therapy. This includes energy levels, sleep, and overall wellbeing.
The result?
You’re able to participate in the activities you enjoy more fully.
5. Fewer Hospital Visits
This is the cost benefit that not many people consider…
If you’re able to heal and manage your condition more effectively with oxygen therapy, you may need to go to the hospital less. Hospital visits and emergency room trips can be reduced with better oxygen delivery and management at home.
Types of Oxygen Therapy Available
Not all oxygen therapy treatments are the same. Here’s a breakdown…
Supplemental Oxygen Therapy
This is the most well-known type of oxygen therapy. It’s usually prescribed to people with respiratory issues, such as COPD or chronic bronchitis.
Here’s how it works: You breathe in oxygen-enriched air through a nasal cannula or mask. The nasal cannula or mask connects to an oxygen concentrator or tank that pumps the oxygen-enriched air to you.
Supplemental oxygen therapy is easy to get and is often used at home with a prescription from a healthcare professional.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
HBOT is the more advanced form of oxygen therapy. In this treatment, you lie in a specialized chamber where the air pressure is increased to 2-3 times normal atmospheric pressure. You then breathe in 100% pure oxygen.
The high pressure allows your blood to carry much more oxygen to tissues throughout your body.
Treatment sessions usually last 90 minutes to two hours.
Is Oxygen Therapy Right for You?
There are some important things to keep in mind before diving into oxygen therapy treatments…
First and foremost, consult with your doctor. Oxygen therapy should only be done under the care and supervision of a qualified healthcare provider. Your individual needs, medical history, and current medications all need to be taken into consideration.
Oxygen therapy is likely a good treatment option if you have wounds that refuse to heal, respiratory problems that require supplemental oxygen, radiation injury from cancer treatments, certain neurological conditions, and/or circulation problems.
Keep in mind…
Like any medical treatment, oxygen therapy isn’t without risks. Side effects may include ear pressure changes, temporary vision changes, and more serious complications for those who aren’t good candidates. A healthcare professional will weigh the potential risks and benefits in your case.
Wrapping Things Up
Oxygen therapy can be a powerful weapon in the fight against chronic health conditions. From wound healing to improved brain function, the benefits are real and expanding every year as research in this area continues.
The treatment works by saturating your body in the oxygen that your cells need to heal and regenerate. Whether using supplemental oxygen or hyperbaric oxygen treatment, patients across the world are finding real relief from their medical conditions.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Oxygen therapy works by flooding your body with oxygen, increasing tissue oxygenation.
- There are multiple delivery methods and types of oxygen treatment.
- The FDA has approved more oxygen therapy treatments in recent years as research expands.
- Qualified healthcare professionals are crucial for safe and effective oxygen therapy.
The bottom line?
If you’re living with a chronic health condition, oxygen therapy is likely worth talking to your doctor about.
Your body has incredible self-healing abilities. The problem is, sometimes it just needs a little extra oxygen to jumpstart this natural process.
