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Doctors Blog: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Know the Facts and Risks

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Know the Facts and Risks by COEM in Charleston SC

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy aims to repair tissues and restore normal body function by filling blood with enough pure oxygen. Visit The Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine (COEM) today to learn more. For more information, contact us today or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 7510 North Forest Drive North Charleston, SC 29420.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Know the Facts and Risks by COEM in Charleston SC
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Know the Facts and Risks by COEM in Charleston SC

Table of Contents:

How can you define hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Uses of hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Facts about hyperbaric therapy?
Risk of hyperbaric therapy
Benefits of hyperbaric therapy
Precautions to take

How can you define hyperbaric oxygen therapy?


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

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 a 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

Also read: ESOPHAGITIS: TYPES, COMMON SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, AND TREATMENT OPTIONS

In rare cases, it leads to other health-related issues. The best way to avoid adverse effects and take precautions is to be treated by a 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 or schedule an appointment today. We serve patients from Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Summerville, North Charleston SC, Ladson SC, Hanahan SC, James Island SC, John’s Island SC, Daniel Island SC, all of South Carolina, Nationally, and Internationally. Patients routinely fly into Charleston to be evaluated by COEM and to enjoy this beautiful city which is a Condé Nast and Travel and Leisure Top Domestic and International Tourist Destination.