HYPERBARIC CHAMBER
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy consists of breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is well established as a treatment for decompression sickness, a risk associated with diving. There are other conditions that can be treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, such as severe infections, air bubbles in blood vessels, and non-healing wounds from diabetes or radiation injuries.
In a hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber, the pressure rises two to three times the normal air pressure. Under these conditions, the lungs can hold much more oxygen than would be possible by breathing pure oxygen at normal air pressure.
Why is it done?
The tissues of the body need an adequate supply of oxygen to function. When a tissue is injured, it needs even more oxygen to survive. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases the amount of oxygen that the blood can carry. By performing repeated scheduled treatments, temporary extra-high oxygen levels help generate the same oxygen levels as normal tissues, even after therapy is complete.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used to treat different diseases and as an aid in the postoperative process. And medical institutions use it in different ways.
Your doctor might suggest hyperbaric oxygen therapy if you have one of the following conditions:
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brain abscess
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Air bubbles in the blood vessels (arterial gas embolism)
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Burns
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carbon monoxide poisoning
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oppressive injury
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Sudden deafness
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decompression sickness
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Anemia with excessive blood loss
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Gangrene
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Skin or bone infection leading to tissue death
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Wounds that do not heal, for example, diabetic foot ulcers
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radiation injury
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Skin graft or skin flaps with risk of tissue death
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traumatic brain injury
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Loss of vision, sudden and painless
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recovery after surgery
When the blood carries this extra amount of oxygen throughout the body, it helps fight bacteria and stimulates the release of substances called "growth factors" and "stem cells," which promote healing.
During therapy, the air pressure in the room is two to three times normal air pressure. The increase in air pressure creates a temporary sensation of stuffiness in the ears, similar to what it feels like in an airplane or at high altitudes. To ease that feeling, you can yawn or swallow.
For most conditions, hyperbaric oxygen therapy lasts about one to two hours. Members of the health care team will monitor the therapy and monitor you until treatment is complete.
After hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Your therapy team will evaluate you, including examining your ears and taking your blood pressure and pulse. If you have diabetes, your blood glucose will be checked. When the team decides you're ready, you can get dressed and leave.
You may feel tired or hungry after the treatment. This does not limit normal activities.
Results
To benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy, you may need more than one session. The number of sessions depends on the medical condition you have. Some disorders, such as carbon monoxide poisoning, may be treated in three visits. Others, such as non-healing wounds, may require 40 treatments or more.
To effectively treat approved medical conditions, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is often part of a comprehensive treatment plan that is provided with other therapies and medications designed to meet your individual needs.
Source: Mayo Clinic
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