If you are looking for an answer to what Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is, this article is for you. This article will brief you on everything you need to know about HBOT.
What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing pure oxygen to treat various medical conditions and wounds inside a special room or chamber. The oxygen we breathe is only 21% pure, and the HBOT treatment speeds up the healing process of monoxide poisoning, stubborn wounds, or any kind of infections in which tissues starve for pure and more oxygen.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy aims to repair tissues and restore normal body function by filling blood with enough pure oxygen.
Uses of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
HBOT therapy is used to treat different types of medical conditions, such as:
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Injury from being crushed
- Cyanide poisoning
- Gas gangrene
- Decompression sickness
- Any kind of traumatic or sudden blood flow in the arteries
- Skin grafts and flaps
- Osteomyelitis- an infection in the bone
- Delayed radiation injury
- Flesh-eating diseases
- Air or gas embolism
- Diabetic wounds
Facts About Hyperbaric Therapy?
The therapy was first used in the U.S in the early 20th century when scuba divers were affected by a prompt change in pressure around them.
Oxygen therapy was again tried when the U.S navy used hyperbaric oxygen to treat deep-sea divers having decompression sickness in the 1940s.
Then the therapy was again used to treat carbon monoxide poisoning by the 1960s. The oxygen treatment is still used by scuba divers to combat decompression and is further used to treat various health conditions, as stated above.
Risk of Hyperbaric Therapy
Oxygen therapy is generally safe when used for indications that the FDA clears. However, too much oxygen can be harmful, and potential risks arise when pressure increases, such as:
- Ear and sinus pain
- Middle ear injuries, including fluid leaking and eardrum rupture
- Temporary nearsightedness (myopia)
- Seizures
- Lung collapse
- Lowered blood sugar in people who have diabetes treated insulin
Benefits of Hyperbaric Therapy
HBOT has many benefits for patients, especially patients with wounds and any health condition. Below are some benefits of hyperbaric therapy:
- Increases oxygen in blood tissues
- Increases circulation and blood flow throughout the body
- Boosts white blood cells count
- Strengthens the body’s immune system
- Helps reduce swelling and pain.
Precautions to Take
It is not safe for people with recent ear trauma, a cold, or fever to participate in hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Also, people with certain types of lung diseases are not advised to take the therapy.
The most common complication after the treatment is trauma to the ear. Other complications are:
- Eye damage
- Sinus problem
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In rare cases, it lead to other health-related issues. The best way to avoid adverse effects and take precautions is to be treated by certified and trained doctor.
Considering the conditions and possible risks of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, it is a good idea to take the decision after consulting and discussing it with your doctor. If you are looking for an expert doctor for Glutathione and oxygen therapy treatment, then call us at 843-572-1600 or schedule an appointment today.