Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a well-established medical treatment. In April 2005, the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society recognized the therapy as an effective treatment for 14 specific conditions:
14 Approved Conditions
- embolisms (air or gas bubbles in the bloodstream which may travel to the brain or lungs);
- carbon monoxide poisoning (from inhaling smoke or car exhaust);
- gas gangrene;
- crush injury, Compartment Syndrome and other acute traumatic problems where blood flow is reduced or cut off (e.g., frostbite);
- decompression sickness (the bends);
- enhancement of healing for wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers;
- exceptional blood loss (anemia);
- intracranial abscess (an accumulation of pus in the brain);
- necrotizing soft tissue infections (flesh-eating disease);
- osteomyelitis (bone infection);
- delayed radiation injury (e.g., radiation burns that develop after cancer therapy);
- skin grafts and flaps that are not healing well; and
- thermal burns (e.g. from fire or electrical sources).