At a glance
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment in which a patient breathes pure oxygen inside a pressurized chamber, allowing the body to absorb far more oxygen than it normally can at sea level.
Under higher-than-normal air pressure, oxygen dissolves directly into the blood plasma, reaching tissues that have poor circulation or that are starved of oxygen. This extra oxygen helps white blood cells kill bacteria, encourages new blood vessels to grow, and speeds up the repair of damaged tissue. Each session typically lasts between 60 and 120 minutes, and a full course of treatment usually involves multiple sessions spread over several weeks.
Medical Condition
Doctors prescribe hyperbaric oxygen therapy when the underlying problem involves oxygen-deprived or poorly healing tissue, infection that resists standard treatment, or poisoning from gases that block oxygen delivery in the body.
- Diabetic foot wounds and other non-healing ulcers (open sores that refuse to close after weeks of standard care)
- Carbon monoxide poisoning (exposure to a colorless gas that blocks oxygen from entering red blood cells)
- Gas gangrene and other severe soft-tissue infections caused by anaerobic bacteria (bacteria that thrive without oxygen)
- Radiation injury (tissue damage caused by radiotherapy for cancer, including radiation necrosis, which is the death of tissue in the treated area)
- Decompression sickness (the 'bends'), a hazard faced by divers who ascend too quickly
- Air or gas embolism (bubbles of air that enter the bloodstream and block circulation)
- Crush injuries and compartment syndrome (severe pressure buildup inside muscles after trauma)
- Refractory osteomyelitis (a bone infection that does not respond to antibiotics alone)
- Skin grafts or flaps that are at risk of failing after reconstructive surgery
- Sudden hearing loss or sudden vision loss linked to poor blood supply
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is not suitable for everyone. Your doctor will carefully review your health history before recommending it.
- Untreated pneumothorax (a collapsed lung) is usually a firm contraindication, because the pressure changes can worsen the condition
- Certain medications, including some chemotherapy drugs, interact badly with high-pressure oxygen
- Severe claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces) may make it impossible to tolerate the chamber
- Recent ear surgery or a history of eardrum problems may require extra precautions or rule the therapy out
- Uncontrolled high fever can be aggravated by the therapy and is usually addressed first
- Pregnancy is a relative caution; treatment is still given in genuine emergencies such as carbon monoxide poisoning, but non-urgent sessions are deferred
Risks & Complications
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is generally considered safe when performed in an accredited facility under medical supervision, but pressure changes and high oxygen levels do carry recognised risks.
- Ear and sinus barotrauma (pain or injury caused by pressure difference): the most common complaint, similar to the discomfort felt during a plane landing
- Temporary worsening of short-sightedness (myopia): the lens of the eye changes shape slightly under repeated high-pressure oxygen exposure; this usually reverses after the course of treatment ends
- Oxygen toxicity seizure (a brief seizure triggered by very high oxygen levels): rare and self-limiting, stopping as soon as the oxygen is removed
- Lung barotrauma: very uncommon but possible if pressure is not managed correctly
- Fire hazard: pure oxygen is highly flammable, which is why strict rules govern what patients can wear and bring into the chamber
- Reversible tunnel vision or visual field narrowing with very long treatment courses
- Claustrophobia or anxiety during the session
- Fatigue or lightheadedness after the session, which typically resolves with rest
Preparation & Procedure
Fasting is not usually required before hyperbaric oxygen therapy, but eating a very large meal right before a session can cause nausea inside the chamber, so most centres advise a light meal a few hours beforehand.
Several medications interact with high-pressure oxygen. Your care team will review everything you take, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements, and will tell you which ones to pause before sessions begin. Alcohol and smoking both reduce the body's ability to use oxygen efficiently; most programmes ask patients to avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before each session and to stop smoking for the duration of the treatment course.
Before starting a course of therapy, the medical team usually runs a set of baseline tests to understand your current health and to guide how many sessions you need.
- A chest X-ray or CT scan of the chest to check for any lung conditions that would make pressure changes unsafe
- Blood sugar measurements (especially important in diabetic patients, because oxygen therapy can lower blood glucose)
- An ear examination to check the eardrums can handle pressure changes
- Wound assessment with photographs, to track healing progress session by session
- Blood tests including a full blood count and, where relevant, markers of infection
On the day of each session, the steps typically unfold in the following order.
- You change into a cotton hospital gown; synthetic fabrics, hairspray, perfume, and personal electronics are not allowed inside the chamber because they increase fire risk
- A technician checks your ears and confirms you have no new symptoms since your last session
- You enter the chamber, which may be a single-person tube (monoplace) or a larger room that fits several people at once (multiplace)
- The chamber is sealed and pressure is gradually increased, usually over about 10 to 15 minutes; swallowing or yawning helps equalize ear pressure during this phase
- At full pressure, you breathe pure oxygen through a mask or a hood for the prescribed period
- Pressure is slowly reduced again at the end of the session to prevent decompression injury
- You are observed briefly by staff before leaving
Aftercare
Most patients walk out of each session without needing any recovery period in hospital, but the full course of treatment stretches over many weeks, and consistent follow-up is essential to judge whether the therapy is working.
- You are usually observed in the treatment area for a short time after each session; if you feel lightheaded or unwell, tell the staff before leaving
- Fatigue is common after the first few sessions and tends to ease as the body adjusts; rest the same day if needed
- Blood sugar should be checked by diabetic patients after each session, as levels can drop more than usual
- The wound care team will reassess your wound at regular intervals, usually every five to ten sessions, to decide whether to continue, adjust, or stop treatment
- Continue wearing any prescribed dressings or offloading footwear between sessions; the chamber alone does not replace wound management
- Avoid alcohol for the duration of the treatment course, and refrain from smoking, as both undermine the oxygen-driven healing the therapy relies on
- Report any new ear pain, vision changes, chest tightness, or seizure activity to the clinic promptly
- A final assessment is scheduled after the last session to document healing and plan any further care needed
Cost & What Determines It
The cost of hyperbaric oxygen therapy varies widely because the total price depends on how many sessions are prescribed, the type of facility, and the country where treatment is received. A diabetic foot wound requiring 30 sessions involves a very different financial commitment from an acute carbon monoxide poisoning case managed over just a few sessions.
- Number of sessions prescribed: the single biggest driver, since each session is priced individually and treatment courses can range from fewer than ten to over 40 sessions
- Type of chamber used: monoplace chambers (one patient at a time) and multiplace chambers (several patients sharing a pressurised room with medical staff) have different running costs
- Hospital class and country: a university hospital in Western Europe, a private hospital in Southeast Asia, and a government centre in the same region can price the same session very differently
- Underlying condition and its complexity: wounds needing concurrent surgical debridement (removal of dead tissue) or specialised dressings add to the total
- Wound care materials and dressings billed session by session
- Diagnostic tests ordered before and during the course (chest imaging, blood work, wound photography)
- Specialist consultations, particularly if a vascular surgeon, endocrinologist, or reconstructive surgeon is involved alongside the hyperbaric team
- Medications prescribed to support healing between sessions
Hospital packages for hyperbaric oxygen therapy typically bundle the chamber sessions, nursing assessment at each visit, and a set number of wound reviews into one quoted price. Items that are often billed separately include diagnostic imaging ordered during the course, advanced wound dressings, specialist consultation fees outside the core team, and any emergency care needed if a complication arises.
BPJS Kesehatan does not cover treatment received abroad, and most Indonesian private health insurance policies also exclude overseas medical care. Patients who choose to have hyperbaric oxygen therapy outside Indonesia generally pay out of pocket or through a private international insurance plan that specifically covers treatment abroad. Before travelling, ask the hospital for a written cost estimate that itemises sessions, tests, and any materials separately. This document protects you from unexpected bills and makes it possible to compare offers from different facilities on equal terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy will I need?
The number of sessions depends on what condition is being treated, and your doctor will decide based on how your body responds. Wound healing typically requires more sessions than other uses, often spread across several weeks. Most treatment plans are reviewed regularly so the schedule can be adjusted if needed.
What does hyperbaric oxygen therapy feel like inside the chamber?
Most people describe the experience as lying or sitting in a pressurised tube while breathing pure oxygen through a mask or hood. Your ears may feel a popping or fullness sensation, similar to what happens during a plane descent, as the pressure inside the chamber rises and falls. The session itself is generally calm, and many patients read or rest during it.
How soon will I see results from hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Some patients notice early signs of improvement after several sessions, but wound healing in particular is a gradual process that builds over the full course of treatment. The therapy works by delivering high concentrations of oxygen to damaged tissue, which supports the body's natural repair process. Your care team will monitor your wound at regular intervals to track progress.
How much does hyperbaric oxygen therapy cost?
The cost varies depending on the total number of sessions prescribed, the type of facility, and the specific condition being treated. Longer treatment courses for complex or chronic wounds generally cost more than shorter ones. A written estimate from the hospital gives you the most accurate figure for your individual plan.
This page is general information, not a substitute for medical advice. Every case is different. Your doctor decides what is right for you.
