It is well known that CO causes illness by binding to the haemoglobin (in red blood cells) blocking the transport of oxygen around the blood stream. However, it also binds to myoglobin in muscles, which makes the muscles painful and easily fatigued. It also binds to chemicals deep inside all living cells in the body, making it difficult to use oxygen even if it reaches the tissues. Hyperbaric oxygen however, reaches parts of the body that normal oxygen cannot reach.
Hyperbaric Medicine Research is supporting a project, which is currently in the process of being set up, which is looking at the outcome of patients treated with Hyperbaric Oxygen for severe carbon monoxide poisoning. This project has been submitted to the NIHR – National Institute of Health Research, for consideration.