Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects millions of people around the world. It causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition. Conventional treatments like corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and biologics try and reduce inflammation to manage symptoms. But many patients still suffer from flares or complications. Recently, HBO Medicine has emerged as a promising complementary treatment for Crohn’s disease, especially when it comes to managing complications and promoting healing.
What is HBO Medicine?
HBO Medicine involves breathing 100% pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. This increases the amount of oxygen your blood can carry, delivering it more efficiently to tissues throughout the body, even those with restricted blood flow due to inflammation or damage. HBO Medicine is already well-established and FDA approved in treating conditions like diabetic wounds, radiation injuries and carbon monoxide poisoning. But its ability to reduce inflammation and promote tissue regeneration has drawn interest in its use for autoimmune and inflammatory conditions like Crohn’s disease.
How HBO Medicine can Help with Crohn’s Disease
Key indications of Crohn’s disease are chronic inflammation, ulceration and impaired healing of the gastrointestinal tract. In some cases it leads to the formation of fistulas, which are abnormal ‘tunnels’ that connect the intestine to other organs or the skin, which are often painful and difficult to treat and heal. But HBO Medicine can offer an approach to addressing these issues.
- Reducing Inflammation – One of the key benefits of HBO Medicine is its anti-inflammatory effect. Studies show that HBO Medicine can suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines and increase anti-inflammatory cytokines, helping the immune system response toward healing.
- Promotes Angiogenesis and Tissue Repair – HBO Medicine stimulates the formation of new blood vessels and supports tissue regeneration. This is especially useful in healing deep intestinal ulcers or fistulas that were mentioned earlier.
- Enhances Immune Function – Oxygen-rich environments improve the function of white blood cells, enhancing their ability to kill bacteria and prevent infection, which is crucial for patients with open fistulas or surgical wounds.
- Improves Response to Other Therapies – HBO Medicine has been used along with traditional treatments to improve their efficacy. For example, patients who do not respond well to immunosuppressants alone may experience better healing when HBO Medicine is added to the treatment regimen.
Clinical Evidence Supporting HBO Medicine for Crohn’s Disease
Large-scale randomized controlled trials are still limited, but several small studies and reports indicate the potential of HBO Medicine in treating Crohn’s disease:
- A study published in 2025 in the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (mdpi.com) reported that Crohn’s patients treated with HBO Medicine ‘achieved clinical remission and the restoration of the bowel passage in 94.1%’ of patients.
- A 2011 study in Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine examined 40 patients with perianal Crohn’s fistulas and found that 75% had complete healing after a course of HBO Medicine sessions.
- Another study noted that HBO Medicine was effective in reducing disease activity and improving quality of life in patients with refractory Crohn’s disease, particularly those with complications like abscesses or surgical wounds.
Certainly more comprehensive studies are needed, but these findings suggest that HBO Medicine can be a valuable tool in managing difficult Crohn’s cases.
What to Expect During HBO Medicine
A typical HBO Medicine session lasts about 60 to 90 minutes. Patients relax in a pressurized chamber while breathing 100% pure oxygen. The experience is usually painless, although some may feel mild pressure in the ears, similar to what you experience during trips in an airplane. A full treatment plan may involve anywhere between 10 and 40 sessions depending on the condition and response.
Is HBO Medicine Right for You?
HBO Medicine is considered safe and well-tolerated for most people. However, it may not be right for individuals with certain medical conditions. If you or a loved one is struggling with Crohn’s disease, talk to a gastroenterologist or an HBO Medicine specialist to see if it might be a good fit for your care plan.