Have you ever heard of the term 'Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy'? It may sound a bit new. But it's a very useful, accepted medical treatment for conditions like slow-healing
wounds , some serious infections, and carbon monoxide poisoning. Today, we'll talk about what it is, how it works, and what the benefits and risks are.
Simply put, what is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy ( HBOT )?
Normally, the air we breathe contains only 21% oxygen. But with this treatment, you get
100% pure oxygen. Not only that, this oxygen is given while you are in a specially designed, high-pressure chamber. This pressure is two to three times higher than normal air pressure. Imagine, because of this high pressure, your lungs are able to collect more oxygen than usual and absorb it into the blood. When the oxygen level in the blood increases in this way, that oxygen-rich blood travels throughout the body, especially to injured and damaged tissues. This extra oxygen causes those tissues to heal
faster and increase their ability to fight infections. This treatment (also called HBOT by doctors) is often done alone or in combination with other treatments, such as medications or
surgery .
For what conditions is this treatment approved?
Major health agencies around the world, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have approved this treatment for a number of specific conditions. This means that HBOT treatment has been scientifically proven to be effective for these conditions.
| Medical condition | A simple explanation |
|---|
| Air or Gas Embolism | A dangerous condition that occurs when air bubbles enter a blood vessel during surgery. |
| Decompression Sickness | A medical condition caused by changes in pressure in the body when diving deep into the sea and then surfacing rapidly. |
| Carbon Monoxide Poisoning | Inhaling smoke, vehicle exhaust, etc. causes carbon monoxide to replace oxygen in the blood. |
| Chronic Wounds | Foot wounds caused by diabetes, wounds that take a long time to heal due to other reasons. |
| Gas Gangrene | A severe infection that causes tissue death, caused by a specific bacteria. |
| Radiation Injuries | To heal tissue damage after receiving radiation therapy for cancer. |
| Severe skin and bone infections | Severe infections that do not respond to other treatments. |
| Skin Grafts | To help transplanted skin and tissue attach and heal properly. |
Warning: Be aware of unapproved uses!
You may have seen this treatment advertised as being good for a variety of other ailments in some non-medical settings, such as some spas and alternative medicine centers. For example:
The most important thing is that HBOT is effective for these conditions.There is not yet sufficient scientific research to prove the treatment is effective or safe. Therefore, always seek treatment only for an approved condition from a government-recognized hospital or clinic staffed by a qualified physician.
What happens before, during and after treatment?
Imagine your doctor prescribing this treatment for you. What kind of experience would you face? Let's take a step-by-step look at it.
1. Before treatment
Your doctor will decide how many sessions you need and how long each session will last, based on your medical condition, age, and overall health. You should tell your doctor
about all the medications you take and any devices you have installed in your body (e.g., pacemaker) . Also, tell him about any skin products you use. This is because some things can easily catch fire in an environment with 100% oxygen. Before going for treatment, you will have to wear a special suit provided by the hospital. You will have to remove all metal objects and electronic devices (e.g., phone, watch) from your body and leave them outside the room. You are only allowed to bring a bottle of water inside.
2. During treatment
You will be sent into a special chamber. There are two types of these.
- Monoplace chamber: This is like a glass tube. When you lie down on a bed, the bed goes inside the chamber.
- Multiplace chamber: This is a small room where you are given oxygen through a special mask or hood.
After the door to the chamber closes, you will hear a slight noise as the oxygen fills the chamber
and the pressure increases.
Your ears may feel a little blocked, like when you are on an airplane . You can correct this by yawning or pinching your nose and swallowing. You will be asked to breathe normally throughout the treatment. You can watch TV, listen to music, or even sleep. A member of the medical staff will be monitoring you at all times.
3. After treatment
When the treatment session is over, the pressure in the chamber is gradually reduced. Then you are taken out. Your blood pressure,
pulse , etc. will be checked. If you have diabetes, your blood sugar level will also be checked. You may feel
a little sleepy after the treatment.
Are there any risks and side effects of this treatment?
Yes, like any medical treatment, there are some risks and side effects. But most of these are temporary.
| Risk/side effect | Description |
|---|
| Middle Ear Injuries | Changes in pressure can cause ear pain and ruptured eardrums. |
| Claustrophobia (fear of closed places) | Anxiety can be caused by the fear of being in a small, confined space. The doctor may prescribe a mild sedative for this. |
| Sinus Congestion | Runny nose, stuffy nose, and sinus headaches may occur. |
| Temporary vision impairment | Some people who take more than 20 treatment sessions may experience temporary loss of distance vision, but it will return to normal. |
| Oxygen Poisoning | Very rare . Excessive oxygen intake into the lungs can cause coughing and difficulty breathing. |
| Pregnancy | This is not usually recommended for pregnant women, but in a life-threatening situation, such as carbon monoxide poisoning, a doctor may consider the risks and benefits and make a decision. |
Who should not have this treatment?
This treatment is not suitable for some people.
- People with collapsed lung/pneumothorax.
- People with certain lung diseases such as COPD and cystic fibrosis.
- When you have a severe fever or cold.
- People who have recently had ear damage or ear surgery.
If you have a situation like this, you definitely
Talk to your doctor. If you experience any difficulty breathing during or after this treatment, inform your doctor immediately or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Take-Home Message
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a medically approved treatment method that delivers 100% pure oxygen under high pressure.
- This is especially useful for specific medical conditions such as non-healing wounds, some severe infections, and carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Be wary of places that claim to treat things that have not been scientifically proven, such as aging control and autism.
- Always receive this treatment under the supervision of a qualified physician, only at a reputable hospital.
- Before treatment, it is very important to inform your doctor about all your medical conditions and medications you are taking.
- Although there are side effects, most of them are temporary, and this is a very safe treatment method under proper medical supervision.
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