Hyper/Hypobaric Therapy

Curing even the deadliest of diseases has been made possible with the aid of medical science and fast growing technology. Be it the breathing trouble asthma or dangerous diseases, Exercise Physiologist have been working on its remedies for centuries. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and hypobaric chambers are one of them. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a mode or way of supplying pure and safe oxygen to a patient inside it by keeping the pressure of the entire oxygen chamber at a higher level compared to the normal atmospheric pressure. Clinical use of the hyperbaric oxygen therapy had begun safely from 1930.

Normally, we breathe in atmospheric air that contains 21% oxygen that is sufficient to sustain lives on earth but people often look out for hyperbaric treatment option when they tend to suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, gas embolism, gangrene, decompression sickness, burn tissues, crush injuries, autism, cerebral palsy and stroke. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy accelerates the activity of white blood cells and boasts immunity system but it requires great precaution and expertise. Improper practicing of hyperbaric oxygen therapy may lead to unavoidable and severe dangers. A hypobaric chamber used during aerospace or high altitude training to simulate the effects of high altitude on the human body especially hypoxia (low oxygen) and hypobaric (low ambient air pressure). Some chambers also control for temperature and relative humidity. The principal of hypobaric therapy is “live high train low’ When the human body is exposed to hypoxia (oxygen reduced environments), it struggles to produce required amounts of energy with less available oxygen.

This struggle triggers the onset of a range of physiological adaptations geared towards enhancing the efficiency of the body's respiratory, cardiovascular and oxygen utilization. Hypobaric therapy helps in improving speed, endurance, strength, power and energy level in athletes and normal adults.

(By M. Mustafa Qamar, DPT, M.S , Sweden)

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