Have you ever wondered what it would be like to breathe pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber? If you have a chronic wound, an infection, or a condition that affects your blood vessels, you might benefit from this type of treatment. It’s called hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), and it can help your body heal faster and better.
In this blog post, we’ll explain what hyperbaric oxygen therapy is, how it works, what it can treat, and what to expect during and after the procedure. We’ll also answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about HBOT. Let’s dive in!
What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a medical treatment that involves breathing 100% oxygen in a special chamber or tube. The chamber or tube is pressurized to 2 to 3 times higher than normal air pressure. This means that your lungs can absorb much more oxygen than they would normally do.
Why is this important? Because oxygen is essential for your body’s tissues to function and heal properly. When you have an injury or an infection, your tissues need even more oxygen to survive and recover. By delivering extra oxygen to your blood, HBOT can help fight bacteria, reduce inflammation, stimulate new blood vessels, and promote tissue regeneration.
HBOT is not a new or experimental treatment. It has been used for decades to treat divers who suffer from decompression sickness (also known as the bends), a condition that occurs when bubbles of gas form in the blood due to rapid changes in pressure. HBOT can also treat other conditions that involve gas bubbles in the blood, such as air or gas embolism.
Over the years, HBOT has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat several other medical conditions, such as:
- Burns
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Crush injuries
- Gangrene
- Hearing loss
- Non-healing wounds
- Radiation injuries
- Severe anemia
- Severe infections
- Skin grafts
- Vision loss
HBOT can be used alone or in combination with other treatments, such as medications, surgery, or physical therapy. Depending on your condition and your health care provider’s recommendations, you may need one or more sessions of HBOT to achieve the best results.
How does hyperbaric oxygen therapy work?
To receive HBOT, you will need to go to a hospital, a clinic, or a specialized center that has a hyperbaric chamber or tube. A hyperbaric chamber is a large, room-like structure that can fit several people at once. A hyperbaric tube is a smaller, cylindrical device that can fit one person at a time.
Before you enter the chamber or tube, you will be given a hospital-approved gown or scrubs to wear. You will also need to remove any jewelry, glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, dentures, or other items that could cause sparks or damage the equipment. You may also be asked to avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking certain medications before the procedure.
Once you are ready, you will enter the chamber or tube and lie down on a bed or a stretcher. You will be connected to a monitor that will check your blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels. You will also be able to communicate with the staff outside the chamber or tube through a microphone or a headset.
The staff will then start to increase the air pressure inside the chamber or tube. You may feel some discomfort or popping in your ears, similar to what you experience when flying or diving. To relieve this, you can swallow, yawn, or gently blow your nose. The staff will guide you through this process and adjust the pressure as needed.
Once the desired pressure is reached, you will start to breathe pure oxygen through a mask, a hood, or a tube. You may also receive fluids or medications through an intravenous (IV) line. You will stay in this state for about 60 to 90 minutes, depending on your condition and your health care provider’s instructions.
During this time, you can relax, watch TV, listen to music, read, or sleep. You may also be asked to do some exercises, such as moving your arms or legs, to improve your blood circulation. The staff will monitor you closely and check on you regularly.
When the session is over, the staff will gradually lower the air pressure inside the chamber or tube. You may feel some changes in your ears again, but they should go away quickly. The staff will help you exit the chamber or tube and disconnect you from the monitor and the oxygen source. You may feel tired, hungry, or thirsty after the procedure, but these effects are usually mild and temporary.
What are the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
HBOT can provide several benefits for your health, depending on your condition and your individual response to the treatment. Some of the possible benefits include:
- Reducing the risk of infection and tissue death by killing harmful bacteria and enhancing the immune system.
- Improving wound healing by increasing the oxygen supply and stimulating the growth of new skin, blood vessels, and connective tissues.
- Reducing swelling and pain by decreasing inflammation and releasing natural painkillers.
- Preventing or reversing tissue damage caused by radiation, carbon monoxide, or other toxins by restoring the normal function of cells and organs.
- Enhancing the effectiveness of other treatments, such as antibiotics, chemotherapy, or surgery, by improving the delivery and absorption of drugs and nutrients.
- Improving the quality of life and the recovery time of patients with chronic or acute conditions that affect their physical and mental health.
What are the risks of hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
HBOT is generally a safe and well-tolerated procedure, but it does carry some risks and side effects. These are rare and usually mild, but they can be serious in some cases. Some of the potential risks and side effects include:
- Ear injuries, such as fluid leakage, eardrum rupture, or hearing loss, due to changes in air pressure.
- Eye problems, such as nearsightedness, cataracts, or glaucoma, due to changes in eye pressure or oxygen levels.
- Lung problems, such as air trapping, lung collapse, or bleeding, due to changes in air pressure or oxygen levels.
- Oxygen toxicity, a condition that occurs when too much oxygen builds up in the body and causes seizures, confusion, or coma.
- Low blood sugar, a condition that occurs when the blood glucose level drops too low and causes symptoms such as sweating, shaking, or fainting. This can happen in people who have diabetes and take insulin.
- Fire or explosion, a rare but serious event that can occur if there is a spark or a flammable material inside the chamber or tube.
To reduce the risk of complications, you should follow your health care provider’s instructions before, during, and after the procedure. You should also inform your health care provider of any medical conditions, allergies, or medications that you have. You should report any symptoms or problems that you experience during or after the procedure.
FAQs about hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Here are some common questions and answers about HBOT:
- Q: How many sessions of HBOT do I need?
- A: The number of sessions depends on your condition, your response to the treatment, and your health care provider’s recommendations. Some conditions may require only one or a few sessions, while others may require dozens or more. Typically, you will receive one session per day, five days per week, for several weeks or months.
- Q: How much does HBOT cost?
- A: The cost of HBOT varies depending on the type of facility, the type of chamber or tube, the duration of the session, and the number of sessions. It can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per session. Some insurance plans may cover part or all of the cost, depending on your condition and your policy. You should check with your insurance company and your health care provider before starting the treatment.
- Q: Are there any alternatives to HBOT?
- A: HBOT is not the only option for treating certain conditions. There may be other treatments available, such as medications, surgery, or physical therapy. You should discuss the pros and cons of each option with your health care provider and choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences.
- Q: Can I use HBOT for other purposes, such as anti-aging, sports performance, or wellness?
- A: No, you should not use HBOT for any purpose that is not approved by the FDA or prescribed by your health care provider. There is no scientific evidence that HBOT can improve your appearance, your athletic ability, or your general health. Using HBOT for unapproved purposes can be dangerous, ineffective, and illegal. You should only receive HBOT from a qualified and experienced health care provider in an accredited facility.
Conclusion
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment that can help your body heal faster and better by delivering extra oxygen to your tissues. It can treat a variety of conditions, such as wounds, infections, and gas bubbles in the blood. It can also enhance the effectiveness of other treatments, such as antibiotics, chemotherapy, or surgery.
HBOT is generally safe and well-tolerated, but it does have some risks and side effects. You should follow your health care provider’s instructions and report any symptoms or problems that you experience. You should also avoid using HBOT for any unapproved purposes, such as anti-aging, sports performance, or wellness.
If you have a condition that may benefit from HBOT, you should talk to your health care provider about the possibility of receiving this treatment.