Key Takeaways

• HBOT increases dissolved oxygen in the blood, supporting tissue repair for approved indications.
• Arrive oxygen safe, equalize early and often, and follow all safety instructions.
• Optional additions like hydrogen water or CoQ10 are personal preference, not requirements.
• After a session, rehydrate, move gently, eat a balanced meal, and prioritize sleep.
• Sauna can be used later the same day for relaxation if you tolerate heat well.
• Untreated pneumothorax is the only absolute contraindication, screening is essential.

What HBOT Does

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases the amount of oxygen dissolved in your blood by breathing oxygen under pressure. This can support tissue repair and help manage certain infections when used for approved indications under qualified supervision. The most common side effect is ear pressure or discomfort, serious events are uncommon. The only absolute contraindication is an untreated pneumothorax, so proper screening matters.

Before Your Session

• Hydrate and eat light, choose a small, non-greasy meal and good hydration for comfort.
• Arrive oxygen safe, remove prohibited items, avoid petroleum or alcohol-based products on skin or hair, follow clothing rules, typically cotton.
• Equalize early and often, swallow, yawn, or use a gentle Valsalva during pressurization, report ear pain immediately.
• Medication and history check, review lung, sinus, and ear issues, recent illness, implanted devices, and medications with the supervising clinician.

Optional, Not Required

• Hydrogen-rich water, emerging evidence in redox and recovery contexts, not an established HBOT protocol.
• CoQ10, supports mitochondrial pathways, athletic meta-analyses suggest small benefits on muscle-damage markers, not HBOT-specific.

During Your Session

• Relax and breathe normally, avoid breath holding.
• Equalize pressure as needed and keep communication open with staff.
• Follow all safety instructions, especially around oxygen safety.
• If you have diabetes, arrange glucose checks with your care team.

After Your Session, Simple Recommendations

• Rehydrate, water or electrolytes to restore fluids.
• Move gently, a short walk or light mobility to support circulation and comfort.
• Eat a balanced meal, include protein, colorful plants, and healthy fats.
• Prioritize sleep, mild fatigue can occur after pressurization.
• Optional sauna for relaxation, if heat is well tolerated, keep it brief and moderate later the same day, hydrate well, skip if light-headed or if advised against heat.

Safety Notes

Pause and notify staff or your clinician for new or worsening ear or sinus pain, chest pain, shortness of breath, severe headache, or neurological symptoms. Follow indications and protocols set by qualified hyperbaric providers.

References

1. StatPearls, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Contraindications.
2. StatPearls, Hyperbaric Complications.
3. Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Indications framework.
4. Mayo Clinic, Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, patient overview.
5. University of Maryland Medical System, Patient preparation for HBOT.
6. Mass Eye and Ear, Patient guide for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
7. Dartmouth-Hitchcock Hyperbaric, Ear clearing and equalization techniques.
8. Cleveland Clinic, Hyperbaric oxygen therapy overview.
9. Systematic reviews and trials on hydrogen-rich water in redox and exercise contexts.
10. CoQ10 meta-analyses on exercise-induced muscle damage markers.
11. Harvard Health and UCLA Health, Sauna safety and hydration guidance.