Hyperbaric oxygenation
stimulates and increases the ability of leucocytes (white blood cells) and phagocytes
to clean up foreign bodies in the bloodstream, including bacteria, fungi, dead cells and waste byproducts.
There are 3 types
of leucocytes:
The granulocytes: A type of white blood cell filled with microscopic
granules (little sacs containing enzymes) that digest microorganisms, and are part of the innate immune system and have somewhat
nonspecific, broad-based activity. They do not respond exclusively to specific antigens, as do B-cells and T-cells;
The lymphocytes: nearly colorless cells found in the blood, lymph, and lymphoid tissues, constituting approximately
25 percent of white blood cells and including B cells, which function in humoral immunity (elements in the blood or other
body fluids), and T cells, which function in cellular immunity;
The monocytes: a type of granular leukocyte that functions in the ingestion of bacteria.
Phagocytes are sometimes called scavenger cells because they
engulf and digest debris and invading microorganisms.
