Discover the Incredible Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

From divers to patients undergoing radiation therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy offers a wide range of benefits.

What is a Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber?

A hyperbaric oxygen chamber is a specialized capsule designed to enrich the blood with oxygen. Within this chamber, atmospheric pressure is increased, and oxygen delivery is intensified through a process called hyperbaric oxygenation.

This treatment produces several positive effects:

• Enhanced oxygenation delivers more oxygen to organs and tissues.
• Reduction in gas bubble size in the bloodstream, crucial for treating gas embolism where large bubbles block blood vessels and disrupt circulation.
• Vasoconstriction and stimulation of new blood vessel formation.
• Proliferation of fibroblast cells that produce collagen, aiding tissue repair.
• Destruction of leukocytes through oxidation, beneficial for combating purulent infections mainly composed of white blood cells.
• Decreased leukocyte adhesion to vessel walls, reducing the risk of blockages and impaired blood flow.
• Inhibition of lipid peroxidation, protecting cell membranes.
• Suppression of toxin activity.
• Amplification of antibiotic effectiveness.

Types of Hyperbaric Oxygen Chambers

Hyperbaric chambers vary in design and usage, typically falling into these categories:

• Multi-place chambers: Accommodate several patients and medical staff simultaneously. Patients breathe 100% oxygen through masks or sealed hoods, sometimes receiving specialized gas mixtures.
• Single-place chambers: Designed for one individual who lies inside while breathing oxygen, often supplemented by masks delivering specific gas blends. Medical personnel monitor the patient externally.
• Other chamber types: Some devices apply oxygen under pressure locally to limbs, penetrating tissues minimally and offering limited therapeutic effects. Others are designed for altitude sickness treatment, fitting over the head and generating pressures up to 1.7 atmospheres.

When is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Recommended?

Besides general wellness enhancement often found in spa settings, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is prescribed for specific medical conditions, including:

• Air or gas embolism.
• Osteomyelitis (bone infection) unresponsive to standard treatments.
• Burn injuries.
• Pressure-related injuries such as crush syndrome.
• Frostbite.
• Carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Certain bacterial infections of the brain and sinuses.
• Decompression sickness common in divers.
• Gas gangrene, a severe infection with gas accumulation in tissues.
• Soft tissue necrosis caused by infections.
• Radiation-induced tissue damage during cancer treatment.
• Skin grafts, where oxygen therapy promotes blood vessel growth and graft acceptance.
• Non-healing wounds resistant to other treatments.
• Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
• Treatment of opioid addiction.

When is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Not Recommended?

While beneficial, hyperbaric oxygen therapy has contraindications that must be observed to avoid harm. These include absolute and relative restrictions.

Absolute Contraindications:

• Untreated pneumothorax, where air trapped in the chest cavity can cause life-threatening complications under pressure.
• Treatment with bleomycin, due to risk of severe lung inflammation.
• Cisplatin chemotherapy, which may impair wound healing when combined with oxygen therapy.
• Medications containing disulfiram for alcohol dependence, increasing oxygen toxicity risk.
• Doxorubicin-based anticancer drugs, which can become cardiotoxic.
• Sulfamylon-based treatments that negatively affect wound healing.

Relative Contraindications:

• Asthma, which may lead to pneumothorax but can be managed with proper care.
• Claustrophobia, manageable with sedatives prior to treatment.
• Hereditary spherocytosis, where red blood cell breakdown may occur; therapy reserved for emergencies.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), treatable under close supervision.
• Eustachian tube dysfunction, potentially causing ear barotrauma; requires pre-treatment nasal decongestants.
• High fever, which may trigger seizures; treatment postponed until fever subsides.
• Pacemakers, which might malfunction under pressure, though some models are compatible.
• Epidural analgesia pumps, used post-major surgeries, requiring careful monitoring.
• Pregnancy, with therapy reserved for urgent cases due to limited fetal safety data.
• Seizure disorders, manageable if medications are adhered to.
• Respiratory infections, increasing risk of ear injury; nasal treatments recommended.

Preparing for Your Hyperbaric Oxygen Session

Before treatment, remove all makeup and avoid skincare or hair products, as oxygen can ignite these substances. Also, take off any metal items or battery-powered devices that may heat up during the procedure.

What to Expect During Treatment

You will lie inside the sealed chamber while pressure gradually increases. You may experience ear discomfort similar to airplane ear, which can be relieved by swallowing or yawning. Sessions typically last around two hours, with the number of treatments tailored to your medical needs—for example, up to 30 sessions to enhance wound healing.

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