HBOT involves sitting in a hyperbaric chamberan enclosed space filled with high-pressure oxygen and breathing.
This allows your lungs to take in more oxygen, thereby increasing circulating oxygen in your bloodstream.
This article explores hyperbaric chamber therapy.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
It discusses how HBOT works and what it treats.
It also explains the possible side effects of hyperbaric treatment and whether or not insurance covers it.
What Is a Hyperbaric Chamber?
A hyperbaric chamber is a high-pressurized, enclosed space filled with pure oxygen.
This improves oxygen absorption and speeds healing.
What Does a Hyperbaric Chamber Feel Like?
Most people find a hyperbaric chamber to be pleasant and relaxing.
You may feel lightheaded or dizzy during treatment.
Afterward, it is common to feel like you completed a cardio workout.
How Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Work?
HBOT delivers pure oxygen under high air pressure, which helps the body take in more healing oxygen.
This, in turn, allows for higher oxygen concentrations in the blood and other body fluids.
Oxygen-rich fluids travel through different organ systems, helping to repair damaged tissues.
How Long Is a Hyperbaric Therapy Session?
Each hyperbaric therapy session lasts about two hours.
The number of treatments you may need depends on your condition.
For example, carbon monoxide poisoning commonly requires one to three sessions.
The body needs oxygen to heal itself.
This results in slow-to-heal injuries and wounds that are at high risk of infection.
However, there is a lack of clinical evidence to back up many of these claims.
These are primarily due to changing air pressure and affect the ears, sinuses, and lungs.
Ear tubes are sometimes placed to reduce pressure during treatment.
Can Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Cause Heart Problems?
In general, heart problems are not considered a side effect of HBOT.
Pure oxygen is highly flammable that is easily ignited by a spark.
Cigarette lighters and battery-powered devices are not allowed in the treatment area.
How to Prepare for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Before an HBOT session, its essential to shower.
Avoid wearing perfumes, deodorants, petroleum-based skincare, and flammable haircare products like hair spray.
Skin Grafts and Flaps
One study examined the efficacy of HBOT used to treattissue grafts and flaps.
Summary
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps to increase the amount of oxygen in your body.
It involves sitting or lying down in a high-pressurized enclosure known as a hyperbaric chamber.
A session takes about two hours.
HBOT is used to treat carbon monoxide poisoning, severe burns, slow-healing wounds, and decompression sickness.
Hyperbaric chamber therapy is typically pleasant and relaxing, though air pressure changes can cause ear and sinus pressure.
In rare cases, HBOT can cause a ruptured eardrum, collapsed lung, or oxygen poisoning.
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