What is High Dosage Oxygen Therapy?

Read about how HDOT helped local speedway rider Billy Legg.

What is HDOT?
High Dosage Oxygen Therapy (HDOT) involves breathing pure oxygen at a pressure of between 1.5 and 2.0 BAR (16 to 33 equivalent feet of water).

Do you really have to dive under water?
What does it do?
How long does it take?
Do I need to tell my doctor, or ask his permission?
When should therapy start?
How long do I need to keep coming for treatment?

Do you really have to dive under water?
The therapy takes place in a comfortable, warm and dry chamber, with other people. There is a radio and intercom. If you wish, you can read, or just look out of the window. The chamber doesn’t “go” anywhere, oxygen IS breathed through a mask.

For safety’s sake, we ask you to follow some sensible rules, e.g. not to eat or take medication while in the chamber, not to carry any items which might increase the fire risk.

To maintain the cleanliness in the chamber, we ask that members remove their outdoor shoes (unless in a wheelchair) and take off or cover outdoor clothing, particularly synthetics which have a higher fire risk.
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What does it do?
When we breathe in air, 21% is oxygen; the remainder is composed of nitrogen and other gases. Oxygen is a great natural healing agent, and in order to increase the supply, it must be breathed at an increased pressure. When this is done, something extraordinary happens; swelling around nerve tissue reduces and blood vessels constrict, and oxygen involves into the plasma preventing leakage, this allows repair to take place. This helps to avoid the formation of scars (sclerosis) which can lead to permanent impairment of nerve function.

How long does it take?
Each session lasts an hour, with an additional 10 minutes or so to allow the chamber to pressurise and depressurise. We also recommend that following each session, you spend a few minutes relaxing over a cup of tea or coffee. You may feel a little more tired during the first few days, so make sure your schedule isn't too strenuous - otherwise there are no side effects..

Do I need to tell my doctor, or ask his permission?
We will write to him to make sure he has no objections to you starting HDOT. This is usually a formality as there is no medical risk involved. There are some conditions where it is inadvisable to dive check with us first. It is recommended you do not come if you have a cold or sore throat, as your ears may be effected. Let us know if you are taking medication, or are involved in any drug trials.

When should therapy start?
The sooner after diagnosis of MS, the better. Oxygen therapy is not a cure - the disease is as yet incurable, however, studies have shown that the therapy is most effective when started early. Initially this means a course of 15 sessions during which time we will regularly assess your progress, followed by regular top-up sessions, usually once a week. This is very important in order to maintain any benefit.

How long do I need to keep coming for treatment?
HDOT is a preventative therapy and it's effect on symptoms already present cannot be predicted with certainty. Hopefully, development of new symptoms may slow or even stop. Although we know that the therapy works, people respond differently, so no one can be sure what will happen, either now or in the future One thing is certain though - benefits will stop if you do. Should you suffer another attack, or feel that symptoms are worsening, contact the Centre immediately so that you can have another session as soon as possible. It may also be necessary to increase the frequency of your therapy. It is extremely important to continue with HDOT once you have started. After all, it's only a couple of hours a week - look upon it as your insurance policy for the future.