Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) refers to the therapeutic use of oxygen at a greater pressure than the normal atmospheric level (1 atm). It is also known as hyperbaric medicine. In this therapy, a sealed chamber saturated with pure oxygen at 1 ½ -3 times the normal atmospheric pressure is used. Though modern equipments have developed recently, the technique of HBOT is known to be practiced since the early 1600s.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Procedure

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be performed in small chambers (monoplace) for only one person or in large chambers (multiplace) that can fit more than 10 people at a time. The effectiveness of both oxygen chambers are similar. In either case, a hyperbaric oxygen therapy session may last for about 30 minutes-2 hours.

Monoplace Oxygen Chamber
In monoplace, the person lays on a padded table, which is then slided into a plastic tube of about 7 feet in length. Pure oxygen is supplied to the chamber; the pressure inside the tube is increased gradually to about 2.5 the normal atmospheric pressure. The patient is instructed to breath normally during the therapy. If the patient experiences discomfort, then the technician may reduce the pressure slightly. At the end of the session, the pressure inside the monoplace is decreased slowly.

Multiplace Oxygen Chamber
In multiplace oxygen chambers, a nurse or an assistant usually observes and monitors the patients that are present inside the chamber. Each of the patients is provided with a close-fitting plastic hood through which pressurized 100 percent pure oxygen is supplied. The patient breaths in the hyperbaric oxygen through the hood. If the patient desires to use other gases (helium or nitrogen), then a mixture of gases is supplied through the hood. The pressure of oxygen used in multiplace chambers generally exceeds more than 4 times the normal atmospheric pressure.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Benefits

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has many health implications. It increases the oxygen partial pressure in the body cells and tissues, which is responsible for promoting the circulation system. The pressurized oxygen also stimulates the blood supply to various organs with a restricted blood flow. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy enhances the production of superoxide dismutase (SOD), a natural antioxidant that combats free radicals.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used for the treatment of air embolism; a condition caused due to presence of air bubbles in the bloodstream. This therapy is also proved to be an effective procedure for overcoming decompression sickness (DCS) caused by precipitation of dissolved gases under a depressurized condition. DCS is commonly observed among scuba divers and caisson workers. In both the health conditions, HBOT helps in reducing the bubble size and promote blood flow to the organs. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be used for the treatment of infections, inflammation, osteomyelitis, radiation injury, thermal burns, carbon monoxide poisoning and cyanide poisoning.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Side Effects

The side effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy are rare. In general, adverse effects arise due to the long session (more than 2 hours) and increased pressurized level, more than three times the normal atmospheric pressure. Hence, if such factors of hyperbaric oxygen therapy are maintained, the possibility of side effects can also be minimized.

Some of the commonly observed problems are mild discomfort to the ears and sinuses. Nevertheless, these are temporary side effects that can be overcome after the therapy session. In order to prevent ear trauma, there are special earplugs designed to wear during the session. Blockage of the sinuses are best treated with decongestants. In addition, the technician or the assistant may explain about the preventives techniques to avoid such discomforts.