Pronounced: hi-purr-BEAR-ick ox-a-jen the-ra-pee
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves breathing 100% oxygen in a sealed chamber. This concentration is five times higher than the normal air we breathe. The chamber is also pressurized to create 1.5 to 3 times normal atmospheric pressure. These changes can improve blood circulation and the blood’s ability to deliver oxygen to the body.
This procedure has been used to treat many health problems, including:
If you are planning to have HBOT, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the procedure.
You will lie down on a padded table, which slides into a tube. This is called a single-person chamber. In some cases, the chamber may be large, holding more than a dozen people.
A technician will gradually pressurize the chamber with 100% oxygen. You will be able to talk to this person. While in the chamber, you will be instructed to:
If you are at high risk for oxygen toxicity, you may be allowed to breathe regular air for brief periods.
Over a period of several minutes, the technician will slowly depressurize the chamber. You will likely have some ear popping and feel light-headed and tired. However, you should be able to go back to your daily activities. You may have more than one session over a period of several days.
½ hour to 2 hours
You will not have any pain. Your ears may feel full.
Unless you have another medical condition, you will be able to go home after HBOT.
In most cases, there is no special care after treatment. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.
RESOURCES:
Divers Alert Network
http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/
The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society
http://www.uhms.org/
References:
Greensmith. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy. University of Iowa Virtual Hospital website. Available at: http://www.vh.org/adult/patient/anesthesia/hyperbaricoxygen/index.html. Updated August 2007. Accessed September 7, 2009.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy. American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3x_Hyperbaric_oxygen_therapy.asp?sitearea=ETO. Updated November 2008. Accessed September 7, 2009.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy. National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus website. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002375.htm. Updated September 2008. Accessed September 7, 2009.
Last reviewed November 2009 by Craig Clark, DO, FACC, FAHA, FASE
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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