What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy? HBOT

Overview

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the practice of breathing oxygen that is pure in a controlled atmosphere. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an established treatment for decompression sickness, which is a possible risk associated with diving with scuba equipment. Other conditions that can be treated using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy include

 

• • Infections that are serious.
  • Air bubbles inside blood vessels.
  • Wounds that aren’t healing due to diabetes or radiation injuries.

 

In a hyperbaric oxygen therapy room in a hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber, the air pressure is increased by 2 to 3 times greater than the average air pressure. In these conditions the lungs are able to take in far more oxygen than would be possible if you breathe pure oxygen at normal pressure.

This additional oxygen aids in fighting bacteria. It also triggers the release substances known as growth factors and stem cells, which aid in healing.

 

What’s the reason for it?

The tissues of your body require sufficient oxygen in order to perform their functions. HBOT is an effective method to increase blood and tissue oxygen levels. When tissues are injured it will require more oxygen to sustain. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy boosts levels of oxygen that your blood is able to transport. After repeated treatments, the temporary high levels of oxygen encourage normal levels of tissue oxygen after the therapy has been completed.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be used for treating a range of medical ailments. It is used by medical institutions in a variety of ways. Your physician might recommend hyperbaric oxygen therapy in case you suffer from one of the following diseases:

 

• • Anemia severe.
  • Abscess in the brain.
  • Bubbles of air inside your blood vessels are known in the medical field as arterial gas embolism.
  • Burns.
  • Carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Crushing injury.
  • Deafness, sudden.
  • Decompression sickness.
  • Gangrene.
  • Infection of the skin or bone which causes tissue death.
  • Wounds that are not healing, for example diabetic foot ulcers.
  • Radiation injury.
  • A skin flap or skin graft is susceptible to death of the tissue.
  • Traumatic brain injury.
  • Vision loss that is abrupt and painful.

 

 

 

Risks

Oxygen therapy with hyperbaric is usually a safe procedure. The risk of complications is low. However, this treatment is not without some risks.

The potential risks are:

 

• • Middle ear injuries, such as ruptured eardrums and leaky fluid due to changes in pressure.
  • Myopia is a temporary nearsightedness due to temporary change in the eye’s lens.
  • Lung collapse due to changes in air pressure, also known as barotrauma.
  • Seizures are caused by excessive oxygen, commonly known as oxygen toxicity in the central nervous system.
  • Blood sugar levels are lower in those who suffer from diabetes and are who are treated by insulin.
  • In certain situations, fire can be caused because of the oxygen-rich atmosphere in the chamber of treatment.

 

 

How to Prepare for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

You’ll receive scrubs or a gown that is hospital-approved to wear instead of your normal clothes for the duration of your procedure.

To ensure your safety, certain items like lighters and battery-powered devices that produce heat should not be allowed in Hyperbaric Chamber. It is also possible remove any hair or skincare products which contain petroleum because they could be a fire danger. Your health care provider will instruct you on how to prepare for hyperbaric oxygen treatment.

 

What are the things you can be expecting

 

In the course of the treatment, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is typically done as an outpatient procedure however it can also be offered during your hospitalization.

In general there are two types that are hyperbaric oxygen chambers.

 

• • A model that is designed to accommodate only one individual. In an individual unit, you sit on a table that is lowered into a clear plastic compartment. It is also known as an individual unit.
  • A room that is designed to hold a number of individuals. A multiperson hyperbaric oxygen room is usually the size of a hospital room. It is possible to lie down while receiving treatment. You can receive oxygen via a mask that covers your face or a clear, lightweight cover that you put on your head.

 

If you’re in an individual or multi-person setting in need of hyperbaric oxygen therapy the advantages are identical.

In the course of therapy, the tension in your room can be approximately 3 to 2 times more than the normal pressure. The elevated pressure of the air can cause a brief sensation of fullness in your ear. This is similar to how you feel on an plane or at an altitude. You can ease that sensation by swallowing or yawning.

For the majority of conditions the duration of hyperbaric oxygen therapy is around two hours. The health care team will supervise your therapy unit and you during your treatment.

 

Following hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Your team of therapists will examine you after each session. One of the team members will check your ear and check your pulse and blood pressure. If you are diabetic your blood glucose levels are assessed. If the team determines that you’re ready then you can dress and depart.

You might feel hungry or tired after the treatment. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy isn’t a limitation on the activities.

 

Results

In order to benefit from the oxygen therapy hyperbaric, you’ll probably require several sessions. The number of sessions required depends on the medical condition you suffer from. Certain conditions, like carbon monoxide poisoning could be addressed in three sessions. Other conditions, like non-healing injuries, might require more than 40 visits.

In order to effectively treat medical conditions treatment for approved medical conditions, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is typically an integral part of a larger treatment program. The plan could include additional therapies and treatments that are tailored to your specific needs.