Healthy new cells only need a new pathway of oxygen to begin growing and sloughing off the old dead cells. What this new growth can mean for the patient is a renewed pathway for the oxygen to heal difficult to treat injuries. Where this is most effective is in the treatment of stroke or brain injury patients. Many brain cells in these conditions are not dead, but only inactive because of the decreased Oxygen in the blood, and become active and vital with an increase of as little as 10% in the O2 in the area. This is especially encouraging with brain injuries. Because brain cells do not re-grow; the brain must reform the neural pathways and re-route the functions into the still functioning areas of the brain. If the cells around the damage can be re-oxygenated, they can regain usefulness and take on the duties of the dead cells. So the compromised cells can regain functions in the brain when they have a renewed Oxygen supply and the pathways are re-established. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can increase the re-growth of capillaries and oxygen supply to the brain after as few as 8 one-hour treatments. The function of these new capillaries does not subside once the treatments have ended. Many studies have shown that the new capillaries remain vital even eight or nine years after treatment. Additionally this process causes an increased production of connective tissue that leads to a higher rate of re-growth of the neural pathways. Collagen production is elevated as well as grouping of cells into vessel, tissue or bone masses that lead to healing. In short the recovery is accelerated by the regenerative and bacteria fighting properties of the increased oxygen. This increase has even been shown to have an Antibiotic effect on some diseases far surpassing the abilities of currently prescribed drugs. And there are very few bacteria that are resistant to Oxygen. These new prospects for treating problem wounds are exciting and should be great news to anyone concerned with the treatment of the patient.

So why are so many doctors reluctant to try such a radical treatment over drug therapies which sometimes have negative side effects? Perhaps it is because obtaining training for using this expensive equipment is almost as difficult as obtaining the equipment. Nevertheless the AMA has recognized HBOT as an Adjunctive to drugs and the interests of the patient are what we must all be concerned with here. Whatever best suits the health of the patient is what physicians are sworn to uphold.