Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) on Long COVID

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) and Long COVID — A Simple Guide

What is Long COVID?

Long COVID (also called post-COVID syndrome or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection, PASC) is when symptoms from a COVID-19 infection linger for weeks, months, or even years after the initial illness.

Common symptoms include:

  • Extreme tiredness (fatigue)

  • Shortness of breath

  • Brain fog (trouble thinking clearly)

  • Headaches

  • Sleep problems

  • Muscle and joint pain

  • Changes in smell or taste

Researchers still don’t fully understand why some people get Long COVID, but possible causes include:

  • Persistent inflammation in the body

  • Damage to blood vessels and organs

  • Problems with how cells use oxygen

  • Immune system imbalances

The main effects of HBOT:

  1. More oxygen in your blood — Under pressure, your lungs can absorb much more oxygen than normal.

  2. Better oxygen delivery to tissues — Oxygen dissolves directly into plasma (the liquid part of your blood), reaching areas with poor blood flow.

  3. Potential healing effects — This extra oxygen may reduce inflammation, promote new blood vessel growth, and support tissue repair.

How HBOT Might Help Long COVID

Long COVID often involves poor oxygen delivery and inflammation. HBOT’s extra oxygen might help in several ways:

  1. Reducing inflammation — Oxygen-rich conditions can “turn down” certain inflammatory signals in the body.

  2. Helping damaged blood vessels — HBOT may encourage new capillaries to grow, improving blood flow.

  3. Improving brain function — In some studies, HBOT has been linked to better memory, concentration, and energy, possibly by increasing oxygen to brain tissues.

  4. Supporting cell repair — Oxygen is critical for healing at the cellular level.

What the Research Says

  • Early studies (like a 2022 Israeli trial) showed that HBOT could improve cognitive function, energy levels, and some quality-of-life measures in people with Long COVID.

  • Ongoing trials are testing different pressures, session lengths, and treatment schedules to find what works best.

  • While results are promising, HBOT is not yet considered a standard treatment for Long COVID — more research is needed to confirm benefits, understand risks, and figure out who is most likely to respond.

What a Typical HBOT Session is Like

  • Session length: Usually 60–90 minutes.

  • Frequency: Often 20–40 sessions over several weeks for chronic conditions.

  • Experience: You sit or lie in the chamber, breathing normally; you may feel pressure changes in your ears (like on an airplane).

HBOT is an intriguing potential treatment for Long COVID because it directly addresses oxygen delivery and inflammation — two key suspected problems in the condition. Early research shows promise, but it’s still an experimental approach for this purpose.

For now, HBOT is best seen as part of a comprehensive recovery plan — alongside rehabilitation, nutrition, pacing strategies, and other medical support.

Special Considerations for People with Anaemia

Anaemia means you have fewer red blood cells than normal, or your red blood cells don’t have enough haemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen).
Common symptoms include:

  • Fatigue

  • Weakness

  • Pale skin

  • Shortness of breath

For someone with Long COVID, anaemia can make symptoms worse because your body already has a harder time delivering oxygen to tissues.

How HBOT Might Help in Anaemia

  • Oxygen without relying only on red blood cells — In HBOT, oxygen is dissolved directly into your plasma (the liquid part of blood), not just carried by red blood cells. This means even if haemoglobin levels are low, your tissues can still get more oxygen.

  • Potential to boost recovery — By increasing oxygen availability, HBOT may help your body repair tissues and reduce fatigue while other treatments address the underlying cause of anaemia.

Important Cautions

  • HBOT does not treat the root cause of anaemia — You’ll still need to address iron, B12, folate, or chronic disease-related causes with your healthcare provider.

  • Always have a recent blood test before beginning HBOT to check haemoglobin and iron status.

Good Practice for Anaemic Clients Considering HBOT

  1. Get a full blood work-up — especially haemoglobin, ferritin (iron stores), B12, and folate.

  2. Treat anaemia alongside HBOT — Work with your doctor to ensure you’re replacing iron or vitamins if needed.

  3. Monitor symptoms closely — If fatigue, dizziness, or breathlessness increase, pause HBOT and seek medical advice.