How does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) shorten the inflammatory process

HBOT significantly shortens the inflammatory process

The bodies initial response to any injury involves inflammation. Inflammation is the process by which cells such as phagocytes (white blood cells) gain access to the damaged/injured tissues to prevent infection and enable healing to commence. Decreased oxygen supply greatly impacts the inflammatory process as the cells involved in inflammation are oxygen dependent. Should oxygen supply be decreased, the inflammatory process and healing will be impaired.

Increased oxygen availability promotes vasoconstriction when blood vessels in the body become smaller which causes fluid reabsorption and helps reduce edema while keeping the tissue well oxygenated. This supports the cells of the inflammatory process in removing cell debris and micro-organisms that impede infection. White blood cells have an increase in cellular energy that speeds up their activity and reduces the time of the inflammatory process.