An overview of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a medical treatment that involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment to increase the amount of oxygen in your blood and promote healing. It is used to treat various conditions such as severe anemia, carbon monoxide poisoning, gangrene, and non-healing wounds. The therapy takes place in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, which can accommodate one person (monoplace unit) or several people (multiperson room). The increased air pressure during the therapy creates a temporary feeling of fullness in the ears.
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy used for?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used to treat several medical conditions, including severe anemia, brain abscess, arterial gas embolism, burns, carbon monoxide poisoning, crushing injury, deafness, sudden decompression sickness, gangrene, infection of skin or bone that causes tissue death, and lowered blood sugar in people who have diabetes treated with insulin. It involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment, which increases the amount of oxygen in the blood and promotes healing. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is usually part of a broad treatment plan that may include other therapies and medicines to fit the individual's unique needs.
How to prepare for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Before undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy, patients typically need to prepare in the following ways:
- Wear a hospital-approved gown or scrubs: Patients will be provided with a special gown or scrubs to wear during the procedure instead of their regular clothing.
- Remove certain items and hair/skin care products: Patients may be required to remove items such as lighters, battery-powered devices that generate heat, and petroleum-based hair and skin care products, as they can be potential fire hazards in the hyperbaric chamber.
- Follow instructions from the health care team: The health care team will provide instructions on how to prepare for the therapy, including any dietary restrictions or medication adjustments that may be necessary. After the therapy, patients may experience fatigue or hunger, but they are usually able to resume their normal activities. The number of sessions required for hyperbaric oxygen therapy depends on the medical condition being treated, and it may range from a few visits to several dozen sessions.
How is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy conducted?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is conducted by breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment. The therapy is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, and there are two types of hyperbaric oxygen chambers: monoplace units designed for one person, and multiperson rooms that can accommodate several people. During the therapy, the air pressure in the room is increased 2 to 3 times higher than normal air pressure. The increased air pressure may create a temporary feeling of fullness in the ears, but this can be relieved by yawning or swallowing. The number of sessions required for treatment depends on the individual's medical condition, and a healthcare team will monitor the patient throughout the therapy.
How are Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy results reported?
The number of sessions needed for hyperbaric oxygen therapy depends on the medical condition being treated. The results of the therapy are reported by monitoring the progress of the medical condition being treated. The healthcare team will assess the patient's response to therapy and determine if additional sessions are necessary based on their observations and the patient's clinical needs.