Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a treatment that involves the administration of oxygen under high air pressure. A hyperbaric chamber is a sealed area pressurized to higher atmospheric pressure that contains 100% oxygen. This treatment raises the amount of oxygen that your blood can transport, leading to greater nutrient delivery to healing tissues. Here’s how hyperbaric chamber treatment works:
How Hyperbaric Chambers Work
An HBOT provider performs an initial assessment to determine the medical necessity of hyperbaric chamber treatment. They then inform the patient of the steps involved in the treatment session, including possible health consequences and advantages. Before entering the chamber, the patient must change into 100% cotton attire to eliminate any risks of static electricity and adverse effects linked to synthetic fabrics.
The patient then steps into the chamber and reclines into a comfortable position, either sitting or lying down. Because the hyperbaric chamber contains oxygen and an air pressure level that is higher than the pressure in the atmosphere, it must remain sealed throughout the session. The increased pressure and oxygen levels enable your lungs to draw in substantially more oxygen than they normally do. The additional oxygen is transported by your bloodstream to the affected parts of your body. Concentrated oxygenation has multiple benefits, including fighting bacteria, lessening inflammation, and promoting the formation of fresh capillaries.
What HBOT Treats
HBOT increases the generation of cells that are responsible for the healing of tissues in the body. This enhances the healing process and general tissue health for individuals with various conditions. The length of the hyperbaric treatment depends on the type of ailment that is being addressed. In many cases, the sessions take between one and three hours. For individuals with more severe conditions, HBOT technicians may recommend a greater number of sessions to achieve lasting results. These are some of the conditions HBOT can treat:
Decompression Sickness
Hyperbaric chambers are necessary to treat decompression sickness, which is a condition experienced by divers. This condition results from rapid pressure changes that cause gas bubbles to appear in the bloodstream. Individuals with this condition may experience intense pain and other severe and even fatal effects. HBOT enhances oxygen levels in the body, decreasing gas bubble size and converting the gas back to liquid form in the blood.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide acts on the blood by attaching to hemoglobin, reducing oxygen’s ability to be transported to the tissues. HBOT provides a high oxygen partial pressure, enhancing the rate at which the carbon monoxide is cleared from the hemoglobin. This helps to restore the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity much faster than conventional oxygen therapy. Firefighters and miners benefit from HBOT for carbon monoxide poisoning.
Infection Due to Anaerobic Bacteria
Hyperbaric chambers are prescribed for specific bacterial and fungal infections, including those caused by anaerobic bacteria. Such bacteria thrive where oxygen is scarce. HBOT boosts tissue oxygenation, slowing bacterial growth while enhancing healing.
Radiation-Induced Tissue Damage
One benefit of using hyperbaric chambers is their ability to manage radiation-induced tissue damage, which is a side effect of cancer therapy. Effects originating from radiation exposure are permanent, and this may cause chronic pain, non-healing wounds, and tissue necrosis. HBOT enhances the delivery of oxygen to affected tissues, helping them to heal and minimizing symptoms. It can successfully treat injuries on the head, neck, and pelvic regions. These are areas that are often affected by radiation with mild-to-severe tissue damage.
Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Hyperbaric chambers can be used to treat a type of sudden hearing loss accompanied by sudden pain and hearing loss in one ear. This is especially useful when there is no singular cause for the hearing loss. HBOT may assist in providing blood supply to the inner ear. If the treatment is performed early, it may help reverse the hearing impairment.
Severe Burns
Burn injuries can lead to significant tissue loss, hypoxia, and compromised healing. Increasing the level of oxygen at the burn site with HBOT inhibits inflammation, minimizes the likelihood of infection, and accelerates the healing process. This therapy is most effective for third-degree burns or those that affect large parts of the body.
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Explore Hyperbaric Chamber Treatment
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) aids in preventing and treating many health conditions. It helps enhance the healing of chronic wounds, such as diabetic ulcers and burns. HBOT sessions can range in length from 60 to 120 minutes, depending on the severity of your condition. Contact an HBOT provider today to learn more about how this treatment can help you.
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