Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment which
enhances the body's natural healing process by inhalation of 100%
oxygen in a total body chamber, where atmospheric pressure is
increased and controlled. It is used for a wide variety of
treatments usually as a part of an overall medical care plan.
Under normal circumstances, oxygen is transported throughout the
body only by red blood cells. With HBOT, oxygen is dissolved into
all of the body's fluids, the plasma, the central nervous system
fluids, the lymph, and the bone and can be carried to areas where
circulation is diminished or blocked. In this way, extra oxygen can
reach all of the damaged tissues and the body can support its own
healing process. The increased oxygen greatly enhances the ability
of white blood cells to kill bacteria, reduces swelling and allows
new blood vessels to grow more rapidly into the affected areas. It
is a simple, non-invasive and painless treatment.
HBOT - Harch Hyperbarics What are the benefits of HBOT?
It has long been known that healing many areas of the body cannot
take place without appropriate oxygen levels in the tissue. Most
illnesses and injuries occur, and often linger, at the cellular or
tissue level. In many cases, such as: circulatory problems;
non-healing wounds; and strokes, adequate oxygen cannot reach the
damaged area and the body's natural healing ability is unable to
function properly. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy provides this extra
oxygen naturally and with minimal side effects.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves the quality of life of the
patient in many areas when standard medicine is not working. Many
conditions such as stroke, cerebral palsy, head injuries, and
chronic fatigue have responded favorably to HBOT.
HBOT - Harch Hyperbarics What conditions does HBOT treat?
Hyperbaric oxygen is used to treat all conditions which benefit from
increased tissue oxygen availability, as well as infections where it
can be used for its antibiotic properties, either as the primary
therapy, or in conjunction with other drugs.
Insurance and Medicare consider the following conditions for HBOT to
be covered for payment:
Air or Gas Embolism
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Compartment Syndrome/Crush Injury/Other Traumatic Ischemias
Decompression Sickness (Bends)
Diabetic and Selected Wounds
Exceptional Blood Loss (Anemia)
Gas Gangrene
Intracranial Abscess
Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection
Osteoradionecrosis and Radiation Tissue Damage
Osteomyelitis (Refractory)
Skin Grafts and (Compromised) Flaps
Thermal Burns
The following conditions are off-label which may or may not be
covered by insurance or Medicare:
Autism
Cerebral Palsy
Lyme Disease
Migraine
Multiple Sclerosis
Near Drowning
Recovery from Plastic Surgery
Sports Injuries
Stroke
Traumatic Brain Injury
HBOT - Harch Hyperbarics Are there different types of chambers?
There are basically two types of chambers: monoplace and multiplace.
Monoplace chambers are designed to treat a single person pressurized
with 100% oxygen.
Multiplace chambers are designed to hold several people at one time
and oxygen is delivered through a mask or a hood.
HBOT - Harch Hyperbarics How should patients prepare for treatment?
Only clean cotton clothing is allowed in the chamber. No cosmetics,
perfumes, hair preparations, deodorants, wigs or jewelry are allowed
in the chamber. The technician needs to know if any medications,
including non prescription drugs, are being taken by the patient,
and patients are advised not to take alcohol or carbonated drinks
for four hours prior to treatment. In most cases, patients should
give up smoking and any other tobacco products during their
treatment period, as they interfere with the body's ability to
transport oxygen.
HBOT - Harch Hyperbarics How is HBOT administered?
HBOT is administered in a private setting in state-of-the-art,
monoplace chamber of clear acrylic. This allows our trained
technicians to closely monitor the patient and permits the patient
to readily see outside the chamber. Patients are in constant view
and communication with the attending technician via an intercom or
may watch a movie, listen to music, or just rest.
HBOT - Harch Hyperbarics Is HBOT safe?Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is
prescribed by a physician and performed under medical supervision.
Although there are minor risks like all medical treatments, overall
hyperbaric oxygen therapy is extremely safe. The risks will be
discussed with you before you sign your consent form for therapy.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is prescribed by a physician and performed
under medical supervision. Although there are minor risks like all
medical treatments, overall hyperbaric oxygen therapy is extremely
safe. The risks will be discussed with you before you sign your
consent form for therapy.
HBOT - Harch Hyperbarics Are there any side effects?
The most common side effect is barotrauma to the ears and sinuses
caused by the change in pressure. To minimize this risk, patients
learn techniques to promote adequate clearing of the ears during
compression or tubes may be inserted in the ears. Occasionally some
patients may experience changes in their vision during their
treatment period. These changes are usually minor and temporary. A
rare side effect is oxygen toxicity which is caused by administering
too much oxygen.
HBOT for Healing Traumatic Brain Injury
HBOT - Harch Hyperbarics What information does the technician
need to know from the patient prior to HBOT?
· If you have any cold or flu symptoms, fever, sinus or nasal
congestion, or chest congestion.
· If there is a possibility that you may be pregnant.
· If there has been a change in any of your medications.
· If you have skipped a meal prior to your HBO treatment.
· If you are diabetic and did not take your insulin prior to your
treatment.
· If you have any concerns or anxiety.
HBOT - Harch Hyperbarics How does hyperbaric oxygen help brain
injury or stroke?
When cells in the brain die, either from trauma or lack of oxygen,
blood plasma leaks out into surrounding brain tissue causing
swelling and reducing blood flow. These otherwise normal cells go
dormant because they can't function without the appropriate amount
of oxygen. HBOT dramatically increases the oxygen carried in the
blood plasma, making oxygen available to heal damaged capillary
walls, preventing plasma leakage and reducing swelling. As the
swelling decreases, blood flow can be restored to the dormant tissue
(neovascularization) and these cells then have the potential to
function again.
HBOT - Harch Hyperbarics How does hyperbaric oxygen help a child
with cerebral palsy (CP) or traumatic brain injury (TBI)?
In CP and TBI patients, some of the injured brain tissues may be
"dormant" and non-functioning. HBOT can stimulate these "dormant"
tissues and return them to more normal function. In young children,
cognitive function and spasticity can be improved.
Source
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, used in conjunction with other therapies,
ensures the best recovery possible for children with cerebral palsy
and traumatic brain injury.
