General Information
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a non-invasive, painless, high-oxygen-pressure course of treatment used for various conditions and illness. It means letting patients breathe clean oxygen under increased air pressure. During the treatment, the patient lies in a body-length transparent tube with a doctor right outside in visual contact. A two-way radio allows the patient to speak with people outside the tube. The typical treatment lasts for 60-90 minutes. The number of treatments needed depends on the purpose of the treatment.
Reasons for Using HBOT
HBOT is recognized as an effective treatment for the following conditions :
- HBOT immediately increases the amount of oxygen in your blood. This helps all the functions of your body that require oxygen. Increased oxygen levels can even be used to fight off infections and inflammations since it improves the function of our white blood cells.
- HBOT helps eliminate carbon monoxide from the bloodstream. This is essential since carbon monoxide prevents your blood from transporting oxygen. Fire victims often suffer from varying degrees of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- HBOT reduces the volume of any gas bubbles trapped in the patient’s bloodstream. This is essential for treating divers with ‘the bends,’ who have nitrogen bubbles in their bloodstream. These bubbles can cause blocks in the circulatory system and damage the brain or other areas deprived of blood.
- HBOT promotes the formation of small blood vessels. This is very important for the healing of wounds and skin grafts.
Possible Side Effects
The patient may experience some possible side effects including temporary nearsightedness, sinus headaches, and ruptured eardrums. The patient’s ability to equalize pressure (like you do on an airplane) should always be checked before treatment. Ability to equalize the pressure will eliminate the risk of pressure inequalities in sinuses and inner ears.
Oxygen poisoning is another possible side effect, which is why the treatments are limited in time and a doctor is always available. A sign of oxygen poisoning is convulsions. The transparent tube allows the doctor to monitor the patient for this side effect and take immediate action if it occurs.
All side effects usually subside within a few weeks after the treatment has ended.
Conditions Which Prevent HBOT Therapy
Patients who have holes in their lung-sacks (pneumothorax), blocked inner-ears, blocked sinuses or respiratory infections should not be treated with HBOT if it can be avoided.
For more information about our Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy program, and appointments.
Contact us: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Center
- 0 2667 1939.