Hyperbaric Center of Alabama: About Us
Hyperbaric Center of Alabama
Sometimes our body needs a greater amount of oxygen than what we are able to breathe to heal itself naturally.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is approved by the Federal Drug Administration, and is used quite extensively in Europe and Asia. HBOT acts by enhancing tissue levels of life-giving oxygen. Normally, oxygen is almost exclusively carried by red blood cells. During hyperbaric oxygen therapy, there is a substantial increase in the amount of oxygen carried in all body fluids including plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, lymph and intracellular fluids. This allows increased oxygen levels in areas of tissue damage or injury. Increasing oxygen levels promotes growth of blood vessels and increases the metabolic activity of previously marginally functioning cells including brain neurons.
Patients receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy enter a monoplace (one-person) clear acrylic chamber where they breathe 100% oxygen delivered to the chamber under increased atmospheric pressure. Typically, treatments last one to two hours during which time patients relax, watch television, or sleep, while they are carefully monitored by highly trained technicians.
The Hyperbaric Center of Alabama is a state-of-the-art hyperbaric oxygen facility. We utilize two Sechrist hyperbaric chambers—the most technologically advanced monoplace chambers available. Treatments are administered by our staff of highly trained, courteous technicians under the direction of Woodie Fritz, M.D., board certified in family practice with more than 26 years of experience.