What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy? This therapy involves lying down in a pure oxygen chamber or tube for a specific period of time. This is a well-established treatment method for decompression sickness. Aside from this, many other conditions are also treated using this approach, such as stubborn wounds, radiation injury, and many serious infections, to name a few.
In this procedure, the air pressure in the chamber is up to 300% higher than outside the chamber. So, your lugs get more oxygen, which helps your body fight bacteria and boost the emission of stem cells and growth factors for faster healing.
When Can it Help You?
Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy can help if you have any of the conditions listed below:
Anemia
Arterial gas embolism
Brain abscess
Burn
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Crushing injury
Deafness
Decompression sickness
Gangrene
Infection of skin or bone
Nonhealing wounds
Radiation injury
Skin graft
Vision loss
Risks
Generally, this therapy is a safe procedure, but in few cases, complications may occur.
Below is a description of potential risks:
Myopia Middle ear injuries Lung collapse Seizures Fire
But as said earlier, these complications may happen in very rare cases.
How to get ready for the therapy?
Since pure oxygen can start a fire, you are not allowed to take certain items with you inside the chamber, such as mobile phones, and lighters. Aside from this, you also need to leave your skin care products outside the chamber to avoid a fire risk.
Before you get in, make sure you ask the professionals for instructions, which will help you to feel safer and more comfortable during the procedure.
During the procedure
Usually, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is done like an outpatient procedure, so it doesn't require you to be admitted in a hospital. But if you are already in the hospital getting treatment, you can stay in the hospital to get the treatment. You may also be transferred to the concerned facility, which may be located in a separate area.
Based on your condition and the treatment center you are in, you may get the treatment in any of the two settings described below:One-person unit: in this type of unit, you are asked to lie down in a plastic tube on a table.
Multi-user unit: In this multi-user oxygen room, many users get treatment at the same time. This chamber looks like a big room in a hospital where you may sit or lie down. And you will get oxygen via a quality oxygen mask or a hood that is installed over your head.
While you are getting the treatment, the air pressure is up to three times higher than the pressure outside the room. Due to this pressure, you will feel that your ears are full of air. The feeling is similar to the feeling you have when you are on an airplane at a higher altitude. And this is normal. You don't need to worry about it.
For majority of conditions, the procedure won't take more than two hours. Throughout the treatment, the healthcare team will keep tabs on you.
After the therapy
After the therapy, you may feel a bit hungry or tired, which is normal. And you can resume your routine activities.So, if you are thinking of giving a go to this therapy, do it, as it is a safe procedure
In this procedure, the air pressure in the chamber is up to 300% higher than outside the chamber. So, your lugs get more oxygen, which helps your body fight bacteria and boost the emission of stem cells and growth factors for faster healing.
When Can it Help You?
Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy can help if you have any of the conditions listed below:
Anemia
Arterial gas embolism
Brain abscess
Burn
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Crushing injury
Deafness
Decompression sickness
Gangrene
Infection of skin or bone
Nonhealing wounds
Radiation injury
Skin graft
Vision loss
Risks
Generally, this therapy is a safe procedure, but in few cases, complications may occur.
Below is a description of potential risks:
Myopia Middle ear injuries Lung collapse Seizures Fire
But as said earlier, these complications may happen in very rare cases.
How to get ready for the therapy?
Since pure oxygen can start a fire, you are not allowed to take certain items with you inside the chamber, such as mobile phones, and lighters. Aside from this, you also need to leave your skin care products outside the chamber to avoid a fire risk.
Before you get in, make sure you ask the professionals for instructions, which will help you to feel safer and more comfortable during the procedure.
During the procedure
Usually, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is done like an outpatient procedure, so it doesn't require you to be admitted in a hospital. But if you are already in the hospital getting treatment, you can stay in the hospital to get the treatment. You may also be transferred to the concerned facility, which may be located in a separate area.
Based on your condition and the treatment center you are in, you may get the treatment in any of the two settings described below:One-person unit: in this type of unit, you are asked to lie down in a plastic tube on a table.
Multi-user unit: In this multi-user oxygen room, many users get treatment at the same time. This chamber looks like a big room in a hospital where you may sit or lie down. And you will get oxygen via a quality oxygen mask or a hood that is installed over your head.
While you are getting the treatment, the air pressure is up to three times higher than the pressure outside the room. Due to this pressure, you will feel that your ears are full of air. The feeling is similar to the feeling you have when you are on an airplane at a higher altitude. And this is normal. You don't need to worry about it.
For majority of conditions, the procedure won't take more than two hours. Throughout the treatment, the healthcare team will keep tabs on you.
After the therapy
After the therapy, you may feel a bit hungry or tired, which is normal. And you can resume your routine activities.So, if you are thinking of giving a go to this therapy, do it, as it is a safe procedure