Questions &
Answers

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Eustatian Tube Answer Page

Programs of
Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine

at the

University of Sint Eustatius
School of Medicine

Questions and Answers

Below are questions from readers pertaining to the therapeutic uses of hyperbaric oxygen. Answers are provided. In time, the topics addressed on this page will receive more thorough attention in the articles and books appearing in the Eustatian Tube Library. Feel free to e-mail your questions to hyperdunc@eustatiusmed.edu.

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Q1 (Free Radicals and Hyperbaric Oxygen):
I know that oxygen intake is good for the body, and I just wasn`t sure how to answer this question. Does the pressurized oxygen breathed in the hyperbaric chamber increase the production of free radicals in the body? A friend said that we take antioxidants to ward off the harmful effects of oxygen. Or, are free radicals even a concern when one is in the hypebaric chamber? Click here for answer.

Q2 (Topical Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy):
(Question Referred to the Eustatian Tube by Dr. Stephen Barrett [http://www.quackwatch.com]):
I recently encountered a client receiving "topical" hyperbaric oxygen therapy. It is my understanding that the only way to increase blood oxygen to therapeutic levels is through the use of a hyperbaric chamber, with the oxygen being BREATHED under elevated pressure. This client wore a plastic boot four days a week and oxygen was delivered directly to the wound topically under some pressure. I believe the name of the company was GWR. I viewed their website, and I do not understand how topical oxygen therapy could possibly work. Do you have any information on this treatment? Do you know of any legitimate studies that have been done? Could you tell me if there is any validity to this treatment? This is the site for the company to which I am referring: http://www.thbo.com. The company has a representative in our area making presentations and claims to physicians in order to interest them in ordering the treatment for their patients. My first experience with this treatment was not favorable, and the client's condition actually worsened. Click here for answer.

Q3 (Oxygen in Salons):
I have used oxygen therapy twice in a salon environment for general health purposes, as I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and suffer from low energy and migraines. Each session lasts 20 minutes and involves the breathing of oxygen (40%) delivered through a mask with a small apparatus attached for aroma therapy. Does using commercial oxygen therapy (in salons, etc.) increase free radicals in the body, and would using such a system for headaches/migraine reduction, etc., have negative long term effects such as organ trouble and accelerated aging? Is there a balance that can be reached between the positive and negative effects of oxygen treatments received in salons? Click here for answer.

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Disclaimer: Unless otherwise indicated, answers to questions are provided by R. Duncan Kirkby, Ph.D. The views of Dr. Kirkby do not necessarily reflect those of the administration or those other members of faculty of the University of Sint Eustatius or of other contributors to the Eustatian Tube.