Does oxygen therapy have a therapeutic effect on pulmonary fibrosis?
1.Shocking reality: the deadly threat of pulmonary fibrosis
There are about 3 million new patients with pulmonary fibrosis each year in the world, and their five-year survival rate is even lower than that of some cancers (such as breast cancer and prostate cancer). Data from the Chinese Annals of Respiratory Diseases show that the median survival of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is only 2-3 years after diagnosis. Traditional treatment is mainly based on anti-fibrotic drugs, but the cost is high (annual treatment costs exceed 100,000 yuan) and can only delay the course of the disease, but cannot reverse the damage. In this context, hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been proven to be a new weapon against pulmonary fibrosis by improving the hypoxic environment.
2.Scientific mechanism: How does oxygen therapy fight “lung scab”?
The core pathology of pulmonary fibrosis is that alveolar tissue is repeatedly damaged by inflammation and gradually replaced by scar tissue, resulting in a decrease in blood oxygen exchange capacity and a vicious cycle of “hypoxia-fibrosis-more hypoxia”.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) increases the amount of dissolved oxygen in plasma to more than 15 times that of conventional oxygen inhalation under an environment of 2-2.5 times atmospheric pressure, directly penetrates the alveolar membrane thickened by fibrosis, and efficiently supplies oxygen to hypoxic cells. At the same time, the high oxygen environment can inhibit pro-fibrotic factors such as TGF-β, activate stem cells to repair damaged lung tissue, and block the fibrosis process at the molecular level.
3.Clinical evidence: rewriting the treatment outcome of pulmonary fibrosis
A controlled trial in the European Respiratory Journal in 2022 showed that patients with pulmonary fibrosis who were combined with hyperbaric oxygen therapy had an average increase of 12% in blood oxygen saturation and a 35% improvement in dyspnea index after 6 months. Even more exciting is that high-resolution CT shows that the fibrosis area in some patients has shrunk, a finding that overturns the traditional perception that “pulmonary fibrosis is irreversible.” At present, the American Thoracic Society (ATS) has included oxygen therapy in the comprehensive treatment guidelines for pulmonary fibrosis, and recommends that patients with moderate to severe conditions receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy 3-5 times a week.
Oxygen therapy carrier: Comprehensive innovation of hyperbaric oxygen chamber
1.What is a hyperbaric oxygen chamber?
A hyperbaric oxygen chamber is a medical device that delivers pure oxygen through a closed pressurized environment. The air pressure in the chamber can be precisely controlled to 1.3-3.0ATA (standard atmospheric pressure), allowing oxygen to reach damaged tissues directly through physical dissolution. Modern oxygen chambers are equipped with intelligent temperature control and multi-directional airflow circulation systems to ensure the safety and comfort of treatment.
2.Safety analysis: side effects are controllable and contraindications are clear
Under standardized operation, the incidence of side effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy is less than 5%. Common mild reactions include ear pressure discomfort (which can be relieved by swallowing) or temporary myopia (recovery within 24 hours). Absolute contraindications are limited to patients with untreated pneumothorax, severe emphysema and claustrophobia. Other groups can use it safely after professional evaluation.
3.Home oxygen therapy revolution: the leap from hospital to home
The new generation of home hyperbaric oxygen chamber adopts modular design, occupies only 1-2 square meters, supports APP remote control of pressure parameters, and real-time monitoring of blood oxygen data. Taking a domestic flagship model as an example, the power consumption of a 60-minute treatment course per day is less than 3 degrees, and the noise is less than 45 decibels (equivalent to the environment of a library), truly realizing “lying down to repair lung function”.
4.Popularization wave: the trend of universalization of oxygen chamber medical care
According to statistics, the market size of China’s hyperbaric oxygen chamber will increase by 62% year-on-year in 2023, and the price of home models has dropped from 100,000 yuan to 30,000-50,000 yuan. Many tertiary hospitals in Beijing, Shanghai and other places have launched “oxygen chamber rental services”, and home treatment can be provided for a monthly payment of 2,000 yuan. Commercial insurance has also included oxygen therapy for pulmonary fibrosis in the reimbursement scope, greatly reducing the burden on patients.
Conclusion: Seize the “oxygen” life opportunity to reverse pulmonary fibrosis
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has opened a new window for patients with pulmonary fibrosis to prolong survival and improve quality of life through a breakthrough oxygen supply mechanism. If you or a family member is struggling with pulmonary fibrosis, please consult a respiratory specialist immediately to develop a personalized oxygen therapy plan.
