Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is one of the
most versatile treatment methods out there. It is known for a wide
variety of medical benefits. This can be attributed to the fact that
the therapy itself is very simple, but effective.
So what exactly is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and how does it
work? This flexible type of treatment can be used for a number of
serious conditions and it works using a hyperbaric chamber. Today
we’re going to discuss how these special oxygen chambers work, and
how they can benefit patients!
What does each therapy session entail? Let’s find out.
What is HBOT?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a safe and non-invasive form of
therapy. There’s no need to be alarmed if your doctor recommends it!
Each session involves entering a hyperbaric chamber and lying down
comfortably. The patient stays there for up to 2 hours although the
time spent inside the chamber may vary according to the patient’s
condition.
The air pressure inside the hyperbaric chamber is increased up to
three times the normal rate. This allows the patient’s lungs to take
in more oxygen at a time hence the name hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Their oxygen intake is increased, allowing their blood to carry more
oxygen throughout their body.
All of this happens while the patient rests and relaxes inside the
hyperbaric chamber.
What is it for?
Lying down in a hyperbaric chamber for a while may sound
intimidating to some people. And so it is important to emphasize the
benefits of this treatment.
Oxygen can do a lot of great things for your body. Keeping us alive
is only one of it. This is what makes HBOT such a flexible form of
therapy.
Initially, HBOT was used to recompress divers. Decompression is a
very common hazard for scuba divers. However, it didn’t take long
for it to be discovered that the treatment also worked for serious
wounds and infections.
It was in 1965 that hyperbaric oxygen therapy was used to treat
victims of a coal mine explosion. They were subjected to HBOT to
treat their CO poisoning, but the increased oxygen also accelerated
their body’s natural healing ability.
The treatment is not necessary for simple wounds, but it works well
for serious cases like diabetic wounds, venous stasis ulcers, and
non-healing wounds. Hypoxia is a condition that prevents wounds from
healing due to insufficient oxygen supply.
Our bodies constantly require oxygen in order to survive. It needs
even more oxygen when injured so that it can repair itself. HBOT
also helps fight bacteria while strengthening the immune system.
On top of that,
HBOT works well as a complementary treatment for cancer patients
undergoing radiation treatment by reducing inflammation.
Is it Safe?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a very effective form of treatment that
operates under a simple idea: the body could use a little extra
oxygen every now and then. It is so effective that medical experts
are still looking for more ways to make use of this treatment.
It is possible that more uses for HBOT will be discovered in the
future.
Now the only question that remains is: “are hyperbaric oxygen
chambers safe?”
HBOT is a safe treatment. You can even buy and operate your own
hyperbaric chamber if it is recommended by your doctor. Some people
rent hyperbaric chambers.
Side effects do occur, albeit rarely. The patient may experience
mild sinus discomfort, pulmonary oxygen toxicity, and brief
short-sightedness. Some patients feel a little claustrophobic inside
the chamber.
It’s a good idea to consult your doctor before trying this
treatment, to see if it’s a good fit for the patient’s condition.