Hyperbaric oxygen chambers have been used since the 1940s. This unit speeds up the flow of oxygen to 15 times the normal rate. This unit, called an HBO, is being used to heal NFL players because instead of sitting out injured, the player may spend three one hour sessions in a HBO unit. The unit is also used to treat patients after a heart attack. In a scientific study, the patients who used the HBO unit only experienced pain for only 4.5 hours. The other people experienced pain for about 10.75 hours. This unit is also very valuable to newborn babies with hyaline-membrane disease. HBO therapy has increased the chances that the lungs will normalized so that these babies can survive.
1. The device compresses the air to 3 atm of pressure around the injured player who is breathing pure oxygen. The higher air pressure in the HBO forces more oxygen to dissolve in the bloodstream, speeding up the flow of oxygen to 15 times the normal rate.
Also the blood vessels in the injured muscles constrict, limiting swelling in that area.
2. Because the HBO causes the oxygen flow to increase therefore it can heal the burns in a much faster time. It would also be less painful.
1. The device compresses the air to 3 atm of pressure around the injured player who is breathing pure oxygen. The higher air pressure in the HBO forces more oxygen to dissolve in the bloodstream, speeding up the flow of oxygen to 15 times the normal rate.
Also the blood vessels in the injured muscles constrict, limiting swelling in that area.
2. Because the HBO causes the oxygen flow to increase therefore it can heal the burns in a much faster time. It would also be less painful.