Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a form of scientific medical treatment based on intermittent or permanent breathing of pure oxygen (0 ) to the patient in a pressure chamber that provides a pressure higher than the pressure of the atmosphere we live in. With this treatment method, successful results are obtained in many diseases by increasing the oxygen levels in the blood and tissues.

The main effects of HBO treatment in the organism are mainly based on two steps. The first is the mechanical effect due to the increase in pressure, and the other is the effects that occur due to the increase in oxygen levels in the blood and tissues. In addition to these, HBO treatment has an antiedema effect, increases the production of many substances that provide wound healing. It supports the cells that play a role in the body's defense, and prevents the reproduction of some bacteria.

Decompression sickness (highlight) Carbonmonocytes poisoning (stove poisoning) Sudden hearing loss Sudden vision loss Gas gangrene Anoxic encephalopathy (death of the brain due to various reasons) Avascular necrosis (death of bone tissue) Bone infections Non-healing wounds Diabetic foot infections Wounds due to vascular occlusion Suspected burns skin flaps and grafts (tissue patches) Wounds resulting from radiotherapy, that is, radiation therapy. It also provides an effective treatment for wounds and tissue loss that occur after botox and filler injections, surgeries and hair transplant operations applied for cosmetic purposes.

The most common side effect during hyperbaric oxygen therapy is barotrauma. These barotraumas are caused by a change in pressure. Middle ear barotrauma is more common in this group, but it usually heals in a short time without leaving any damage. Oxygen toxicity, reversible myopia and pneumothorax are very rare side effects. In terms of minimizing possible side effects, patients are evaluated with examination and necessary tests before treatment. Thanks to the close follow-up of the patients during the sessions and the safe treatment environment, serious side effects are rarely seen.

It is a disease in which hearing loss of 30 dB and above in at least three consecutive frequencies in the audiogram (i.e. hearing test) develops in less than three days. Although the exact cause of the disease is not known, it is suggested that it may be caused by different reasons such as vascular and circulatory problems, infections and immune system diseases. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is thought to improve hearing impaired due to ischemia, that is, decreased blood supply, by increasing oxygen in the inner ear. By reducing inflammation and edema and suppressing autoimmune damage, it is tried to improve inner ear metabolism with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The aim is to prevent permanent damage to the inner ear. It has been shown that successful results are obtained in cases treated within the first month following the development of sudden hearing loss. It is known that the earlier the treatment is started, the higher the chance of success.

Avascular (aseptic necrosis) is defined as the malnutrition of bone tissue due to various reasons and its related death. It is most commonly seen in the head area of the thigh bone (femur) in the leg. Although less common, it can also develop in different parts of the body such as arms, knees, wrists and feet. Patients usually present with complaints of pain and limitation of movement. It has been proven by scientific publications that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) stops the progression of the disease or provides complete recovery, especially in patients with early-stage avascular necrosis, by increasing oxygenation.

Radiation necrosis may occur in patients undergoing radiotherapy with different complaints depending on the area where radiotherapy is applied, the dose of radiotherapy and the patient's own characteristics. These undesirable side effects may occur after a short or long time. The blood supply of the area to which radiotherapy is applied deteriorates, and accordingly, its nutrition and oxygenation decrease. Tissue damage may develop even with very small microtraumas, as the self-repairing abilities of these regions are also reduced. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps to eliminate the negative effects on different tissues such as intestines, bladder, skin, brain tissue, genital organs and bone tissue where radiotherapy damage is seen. With HBOT, oxygenation in these damaged tissues increases and the formation of new capillaries is supported.

Skin graft and flap applications, also known as skin patch surgeries, are one of the surgical operations that are frequently applied in the treatment of non-healing and problematic wounds. In the patient group with circulatory problems (especially diabetic patients and patients with vascular occlusion), the success rate of these operations may be low. Low oxygen levels reduce the possibility of graft and flap retention. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy significantly increases the success rate of graft and flap operations with its effect of supporting circulation and increasing tissue oxygen. It is applied to increase the blood supply of that area in preparation for the operation to be performed and to accelerate the recovery after the operation.

Osteomyelitis is a progressive infection of the bone tissue resulting in bone death. It is divided into acute and chronic. Chronic osteomyelitis is a picture that usually develops after inadequate treatment and lasts for months or even years. Treatment of chronic osteomyelitis requires a multidisciplinary approach. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) significantly increases the chances of success, as well as drug administration, wound care and, when necessary, surgical interventions. With HBOT, oxygenation in the bone tissue increases, wound healing accelerates, and the effectiveness of some antibiotics increases. HBOT is performed in patients with chronic osteomyelitis as well as in some patients with acute osteomyelitis. Successful results are obtained in the healing of the bone and wound area in acute osteomyelitis of the spine, skull bones and sternum.

Under the long-term non-healing (chronic wound) wounds, there are usually reasons that prevent the healing of tissues such as diabetes, vascular occlusion, circulatory failure and radiation therapy. As a result of these diseases, the closure of wounds is delayed and problematic non-healing wounds occur. In order to achieve healing in chronic wounds, many different areas of expertise need to work together. Wound care, drug treatments, surgical interventions, as well as increased blood supply in the wound area and providing sufficient oxygen are important factors for healing. Oxygenation of chronic wounds is often impaired due to underlying causes. Many infectious agents, especially anaerobic bacteria, reproduce in these tissues with low oxygen. is hypoxic, that is, the oxygen level is low. In chronic wound treatment with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, it is primarily aimed to increase oxygen levels and accelerate healing accordingly. In addition to the increase in oxygen in the scar tissue, HBOT increases the effect of some antibiotics, ensures the synthesis of healthy collagen tissue, and accelerates the formation of new tissue by supporting the blood circulation.

After accidents and disasters such as traffic accidents, trauma, earthquakes, blood flow in the tissues decreases as a result of conditions such as edema, impaired circulation and inability to deliver sufficient oxygen to the tissues due to crushing, compression and long-term inactivity. When tissues and organs are not supplied with sufficient blood and oxygen, the process can result in tissue death. Thanks to its antiedema effect, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) prevents tissue damage and tissue death in wounds by increasing oxygen levels and supporting circulation.

burns; Tissue damage caused by exposure to heat, sun, electricity or various chemicals. While mild burns can be treated on an outpatient basis, patients who develop severe burns may require hospitalization. A multidisciplinary approach should be applied in severe burns. The aim of the treatment is to control edema, to prevent tissue loss by providing adequate oxygen, to prevent the spread of damage, to reduce the risk of infection, to accelerate wound healing and to protect patients against organ failure. Burn rating is a classification that indicates the severity of the burn. Burn grades can be described as follows: 1st degree burn: This type of minor burn affects only the outer layer of the skin (epidermis). It can cause redness and pain. 2nd degree burn: This type of burn affects both the epidermis and the second skin layer (dermis). It can cause swelling, red, white, or blotchy skin. Blisters may develop and the pain may be severe. Deep second-degree burns can cause scarring. 3rd degree burn: As it is known, there is a layer of fat under the skin. In this type of burn, the effect of the burn goes beyond the skin and reaches this fat layer. The skin takes on a leathery appearance. Third-degree burns can destroy nerves, causing numbness or numbness in the area. It requires immediate medical attention. 4th degree burns: These are burns that extend to the bones and joints. It requires immediate medical attention. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be applied in burns involving more than 1% of the body surface, burns accompanied by carbon monoxide poisoning and major trauma, electrical burns, burns of the hand, face, perineum, burns affecting the respiratory tract, and burns in risky patients. With HBOT, it is aimed to increase the antiedema effect and accordingly the tissue blood supply and oxygenation. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory activity, the inflammatory response cascade that develops as a result of burns is blocked and the progression of the damage is tried to be stopped. It is a dull hypothermia trauma and a thermal injury. Blood circulation is impaired due to severe narrowing of the vessels. Tissues are damaged both as a result of poor circulation and insufficient oxygenation, and during rewarming. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is also an effective treatment method for frostbite-related injuries.

Decompression disease, popularly known as smash; It is a disease that develops with the formation of air bubbles in the veins and body tissues as a result of the inability to remove the nitrogen gas dissolved in the blood due to diving, while rising to the surface. Depending on the dive time, depth, ascent speed and some personal factors, it may progress with mild symptoms, or it may present with severe life-threatening situations. The main treatment method in decompression sickness is hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The disease is examined in 2 types: • Type1 Decompression Disease: It is a mild decompression disease with joint pain and skin findings. • Type2 Decompression Disease: It progresses with more severe symptoms. It can cause death by affecting the circulatory, respiratory and nervous systems. Gas embolism, on the other hand, is a disease that occurs as a result of the entry of air or another gas into the circulatory system, with mild or severe symptoms depending on the volume of the gas and the area of obstruction. It can develop due to diving or it can be seen during surgical procedures, albeit rarely. Asthma, COPD and some diseases that cause adhesions in the lungs can increase the risk of gas embolism. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is also the main treatment method in gas embolisms. In case of suspected decompression sickness and/or gas embolism, the Underwater Medicine and Hyperbaric Medicine Specialist should be contacted urgently and the patient should be transferred to the nearest center with a pressure chamber under appropriate conditions and without losing time.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and poisonous gas. Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin in the blood, which carries oxygen to the tissues, about 200 times more than oxygen. Generally, stove and water heater poisoning develops due to smoke exposure and inhalation of exhaust gas during a fire. As a result of the binding of hemoglobin and carbon monoxide, sufficient oxygen cannot be transported to the tissues and many different symptoms occur. Depending on the duration of exposure and the carbon monoxide concentration, carbon monoxide poisoning may progress with mild symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, headache, dizziness, and may result in loss of consciousness, cardiac arrest and death. The basis of treatment is based on breathing oxygen to the patient. The course of the disease varies depending on the time of initiation of treatment and the method of administration of oxygen therapy. Children, the elderly, pregnant women, people with certain chronic diseases and people who have taken alcohol are in the higher risk group. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy not only rapidly separates carbon monoxide from hemoglobin, but also ensures that a high amount of oxygen is dissolved in the blood and sufficient oxygen is transported to the tissues. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the main treatment method in severe poisoning and risky patients.

Necrotizing infections may develop after foreign bodies, surgical interventions or trauma, or they may occur spontaneously. It is a rare but life-threatening picture. Patients usually have an underlying cancer, diabetes, or a history of drug use or a disease that takes care of the immune system. The common feature of these infections is the rapid growth of bacteria as a result of impaired oxygenation. In the early period, pain, edema, crackling sound on touch and very foul-smelling discharge can be seen. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which is applied in addition to medical and surgical treatments, increases the oxygen level and creates an environment that is not suitable for the growth conditions of bacteria. It enhances the effect of some antibiotics and supports the body's immune system functions.

Any obstruction in the retinal vein and its branches, which is the main blood vessel that feeds the eye, can cause sudden vision loss. This type of vision loss occurs suddenly and painlessly. Depending on the severity and location of the obstruction, there may be partial vision loss or it may be seen as total vision loss. Some diseases such as underlying diabetes, atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart valve diseases may also increase the risk of retinal artery occlusions. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases the oxygen level in the retinal tissue where blood supply is impaired, and ensures the preservation of the vitality and functions of the retina. Patients diagnosed with sudden vision loss due to retinal artery occlusion by ophthalmologists should apply to a center with a pressure chamber as soon as possible.

The brain is one of the organs most sensitive to lack of oxygen in our body. Brain damage develops in a short time when the oxygen flow to the brain stops. Anoxic encephalopathy may develop due to various underlying causes such as trauma, cardiac arrest, stroke, suffocation or poisoning. As a result of all these reasons, the oxygenation of the brain is impaired. With hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the dissolved oxygen level in the brain tissue increases and brain edema decreases. As a result, oxygen is provided to the oxygen-deprived regions of the brain. Such patients should be treated as soon as possible without disrupting other treatments and intensive care needs.