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Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is relatively new to animal applications, but has proven human medical applications [twelve of which are reimbursed by most insurance plans]. A short lesson in physics is needed to understand its basic principles. Basically, HBOT involves applying oxygen gas under pressure.
The normal atmospheric pressure that we live under is measured in ATAs (or atmospheres absolute). 1 ATA is the normal atmospheric pressure at sea level. This is equivalent to 14.7 pounds per square inch (psi), or 760 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) that we breathe. The atmospheric air is approximately 79% nitrogen and 21% oxygen, resulting in an oxygen pressure of about 160mmHg.
Normal circumstances of oxygen delivery in the body are dependent on the proportion of oxygen in the air that we breathe, lung function, the amount of hemoglobin in our blood, and the body's blood pressure. Increasing the amount of air that you breathe cannot improve the oxygen delivery by hemoglobin, and breathing 100% oxygen at normal atmospheric pressure will only increase the amount of oxygen dissolved in blood plasma by a small amount.
The amount of oxygen dissolved in blood plasma is referred to as the partial pressure of oxygen. The partial pressure determines the rate at which oxygen can be delivered to the tissues.
If you calculate the partial pressure of oxygen obtained in the gas breathed in during HBOT, you will see that it is dramatically increased. Therein lies the essence of hyperbaric oxygen therapy - the ability to dramatically increase the inspired oxygen and thus the amount of dissolved oxygen in the plasma.
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