Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy – FAQ
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy – Frequently asked question
What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy? What is a pressure chamber? How is HBOT administered?
Pressure chambers are cabins that allow patients to breathe in oxygen under pressure. There are two types of pressure chambers, single and multi-person. In single-person pressure chambers, the pressure is usually increased by giving pressurized oxygen, while in a multi-person pressure chamber, air is pressed in to increase the pressure. In single-person pressure rooms, patients breathe the oxygen in the cabin directly, while in multi-person pressure rooms, patients breathe oxygen through a mask. In our country, a multi-person press room is generally used. On the sides of the pressure chamber, there are windows called portholes for observing the inside from the outside and the outside from the inside. Pressure chambers are manufactured according to some national and international standards due to the presence of people inside. There are seats in the pressure chamber for the patients to sit comfortably. Patients on a stretcher can also be treated while lying down. Having more than one patient inside is an advantage for people with a fear of confined spaces. More importantly, a healthcare professional can accompany the patients during the treatment in multi-person pressure rooms. During HBOT, the majority of patients breathe 100% oxygen under 2-2.5 times the atmospheric pressure we normally live in. Due to the possible side effects of oxygen, air breaks are given at certain intervals. In order to get the desired level of oxygen, the mask or headgear given to the patients should be worn properly. Thanks to the communication equipment of the pressure chambers, it is possible to constantly communicate with the patients during HBOT. Some pressure rooms have equipment where patients can listen to music and watch television. Due to the high pressure in the pressure chamber, and therefore the oxygen partial pressure, some safety precautions must be taken. Patients who will see HBOT are also informed about safety precautions. There is a control panel outside the pressure chamber. Treatment is administered from this panel. The operator using the pressure chamber and the health personnel who will accompany the patients inside are the personnel who have received special training in this regard. In accordance with the relevant legislation in our country, HBOT applications should be performed by Underwater Medicine and Hyperbaric Medicine Specialists. Patients who will see HBOT are also informed about safety precautions. There is a control panel outside the pressure chamber. Treatment is administered from this panel. The operator using the pressure chamber and the health personnel who will accompany the patients inside are the personnel who have received special training in this regard. In accordance with the relevant legislation in our country, HBOT applications should be performed by Underwater Medicine and Hyperbaric Medicine Specialists. Patients who will see HBOT are also informed about safety precautions. There is a control panel outside the pressure chamber. Treatment is administered from this panel. The operator using the pressure chamber and the health personnel who will accompany the patients inside are the personnel who have received special training in this regard. In accordance with the relevant legislation in our country, HBOT applications should be performed by Underwater Medicine and Hyperbaric Medicine Specialists.
What do patients feel during treatment?
When the pressure starts to rise at the beginning of the treatment, there may be some temperature rise inside the pressure chamber. During treatment, the temperature returns to normal room temperature. At the end of the treatment, the temperature drops a little while the pressure is reduced. Patients do not feel the pressure increase as if they are being compressed or as if there is a heavy load on them. At first, using a mask or headgear may seem a little strange to patients, but they get used to it in a short time
How long does the treatment take?
Are there any side effects of the treatment?
a) Claustrophobia: Most patients do not have a problem in the pressure chamber. Some patients may take some getting used to. Few patients hesitate to enter the compression chamber and refuse treatment. In cases where press room treatment is of vital importance, treatment can be performed by giving the patient some relaxing drugs.
b) Ear and sinus problems: Some people have problems during pressure changes between the ear and sinuses and the external environment, trained personnel are taught how to solve this problem. When patients feel discomfort during pressure increase, they should inform the assistant inside or the operator outside. If necessary, the problem is tried to be solved by stopping the pressure increase or reducing the pressure. Sometimes it may be necessary to use medication for easy equalization.
c) Lungs: In patients receiving HBOT treatment for a very long time, oxygen may affect the lungs and cause some complaints. Patients may experience symptoms such as burning in the trachea, dryness, shortness of breath, and dry cough. If such symptoms occur, the treatment is interrupted and these complaints disappear in a short time to a large extent. These effects are very rare in the current HBOT protocols.
d) Brain: Oxygen poisoning in the central nervous system can be seen in HBOT applications where the treatment pressure is high. This situation is very rare. When central nervous system oxygen poisoning is seen, patients may develop restlessness, irritability, nausea-vomiting, tinnitus, twitching, numbness, tingling, and seizures in advanced stages, especially in the facial muscles. Oxygen breathing should be interrupted as soon as any of these symptoms appear. Patients return to normal after a short time when oxygen breathing is interrupted.
e) Eyes: Myopia (distance vision loss) may be seen in patients who have seen HBOT for a very long time. This situation is temporary, vision returns to normal shortly after treatment is stopped.
f) Fire: There is a risk of fire as the partial pressure of oxygen in the pressure chamber is high. Therefore, patients are not allowed to enter the room with anything that may cause sparks. Patients should be informed about the precautions to be taken against fire before the treatment. HBOT treatment is extremely safe if safety precautions are followed.
How does HBOT work?
In which diseases is HBOT used?
Decompression sickness (highlight)
- Air and gas embolism
- Carbon monoxide, cyanide poisoning, acute smoke inhalation,
- gas gangrene
- Necrotizing infections of soft tissue (subcutaneous, muscle, fascia, fascia)
- Crush injuries, compartment syndrome and other acute traumatic ischemias.
- Conditions where wound healing is delayed (diabetic and non-diabetic)
- Chronic refractory osteomyelitis
- excessive blood loss
- radiation necroses
- Suspicious skin flaps and grafts
- thermal burns
- brain abscess
- anoxic encephalopathy
- sudden hearing loss
- retinal ether occlusion
- Acute osteomyelitis of skull bones, sternum and vertebrae
What is the potential role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
What are the precautions for receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Why do some people experience earaches when applying pressure? How to deal with it?
In order to prevent earache, the patient should learn the pressure-regulating action of opening the Eustachian tube before entering the cabin. The main methods of pressure regulation are: (1) chewing; (2) swallowing; (3) pinch nose and close mouth to inhale; (4) open mouth and yawn.
After pressure, if you feel the ear is full and unsuitable, open the Eustachian tube immediately to keep the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the tympanic membrane balanced. If you have earache, report it to the medical staff immediately. This ear discomfort or even earache is similar to the ear sensation caused by flying. Not everyone will appear, usually after two or three days will adapt.
Why can't cold patients enter the cabin for treatment?
Why is it better to treat sudden deafness earlier with hyperbaric oxygen?
What kind of deafness is hyperbaric oxygen effective for?
Why do some people feel fatigued during hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Why are occupants not allowed to carry lighters, matches, watches and other items?
Why do you need to rest in the middle when wearing a mask to inhale oxygen?
When inhaling oxygen with an oxygen mask in the cabin, is it better to use the mouth or the nose?
When inhaling oxygen in the cabin, is it better to take as many breaths as possible?
Why is fog sometimes generated during decompression?
What should I pay attention to when wearing a mask to inhale oxygen?
What should patients pay attention to during decompression?
Why can't you hold your breath during decompression?
What should be paid attention to in nursing care of patients with catheters under hyperbaric oxygen?
What is the significance of oxygen in life activities?
What are the causes of systemic hypoxia?
- Hyperventilation hypoxia
Drowning, hanging, electric shock, altitude sickness, deep tunnel or deep mine operation, anesthesia accident, pulmonary encephalopathy, infection and toxic breathing disorder, etc.
- Circulatory obstructive hypoxia
Various shocks, cardiac arrest due to various causes, acute peripheral circulatory failure, electrolyte and acid-base imbalance, heart failure, congenital heart disease, tetralogy of Faroe, patent ductus arteriosus, atrial and ventricular septal defect , myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy.
- Tissue toxicity and hypoxia
Cyanide, hydrogen sulfide, nitrite, carbon tetrachloride, phosgene, organic phosphorus, alcohol, methanol poisoning. (People working in toxic envirare common: gas pipeline installation, production and use of harmful paint, glue, paint, etc.).
- Anemia or abnormal blood component hypoxia
Acute massive blood loss, various types of severe anemia, carbon monoxide poisoning, nitrobenzene poisoning, aniline poisoning, certain drug-induced methemoglobinemia, acute dehydration and alkalosis.
What are the causes of local hypoxia?
Cerebrovascular disease: insufficient blood supply to the brain, cerebral vasospasm, cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral arteriosclerosis, etc.
Traumatic brain injury: brain contusion, brain stem injury, cerebral hematoma.
Ischemic ulcers (diabetic gangrene), bedsores, wound infections, etc.
Five sense diseases: sudden deafness, Meniere’s disease, vertigo, ischemic eye disease, periodontal disease.
Local trauma: non-healing wound, crush injury, postoperative microcirculation disturbance, replantation of amputated limbs (toes, fingers), skin flap transplantation, local burns, frostbite.
Infectious diseases: gangrene of limbs, poisoning, allergic vascular disease.
Is it harmful for normal people to breathe hyperbaric oxygen?
Are there similarities between hyperbaric oxygen and drug therapy for promoting blood circulation and removing stasis?
What is oxygen therapy and oxygen health care?
Oxygen inhalation can quickly relieve acute and chronic ischemia and hypoxia in various clinical departments and secondary damage caused by hypoxia, and play a role in treating diseases and restoring health. Proper oxygen inhalation can also improve microcirculation, reduce respiratory system load, myocardial load and other effects. Therefore, oxygen therapy and oxygen health care have an irreplaceable important role and broad development prospects.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a treatment method that provides successful results in many diseases by increasing the oxygen levels in the blood and tissues. It is an evidence-based treatment method, which is based on the intermittent breathing of 100% pure oxygen at high pressures for the patient who is taken into the pressure chamber, and its effectiveness has been scientifically demonstrated by numerous studies.
How is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy applied?
How is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Planned?
In Which Diseases Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Applied?
- sudden hearing loss
- osteonecrosis
- radiation necroses
- Suspicious skin flaps and grafts
- Chronic Osteomyelitis
- Acute osteomyelitis of skull bones, sternum and vertebrae
- Conditions where wound healing is delayed (diabetic and non-diabetic)
- Crush injuries, compartment syndrome and other acute traumatic ischemias
- thermal burns
- Decompression sickness (highlight)
- Air or gas embolism
- Carbon monoxide, cyanide poisoning, acute smoke inhalation
- gas gangrene
- Necrotizing infections of soft tissue (subcutaneous, muscle, fascia)
- Retinal Artery Occlusion (Sudden Vision Loss)
- anoxic encephalopathy
- brain abscess
There are many diseases that research continues.
How many sessions does hyperbaric oxygen therapy take?
What do patients feel during hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Is it possible to communicate with the patient during the treatment?
Can the patient terminate the treatment at any time?
Is disease duration important for hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
What are the Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
It is applied in many diseases such as sudden hearing loss, sudden vision loss, avascular necrosis known as the death of bone tissue, bone infections, non-healing wounds, diabetic foot infections, wounds due to vascular occlusion, burns, tissue patches, radiotherapy, that is, wounds resulting from radiation therapy. Successful responses are obtained with hyperbaric oxygen therapy for crushing, rupture-type injuries that occur as a result of natural disasters such as traffic accidents, home-work accidents, and earthquakes.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy; It also provides an effective treatment for wounds and tissue loss that occur after botox and filler injections, surgeries and hair transplant operations applied for cosmetic purposes.
Decompression sickness, which develops as a result of rapid pressure changes during diving and is also known as blast, carbon monoxide poisoning, generally known as stove and geyser poisoning, and anoxic encephalopathy, which occurs as a result of lack of oxygen in the brain, are diseases that require oxygen to heal.
What are the Side Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Sudden Hearing Loss can be healed with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is thought to improve hearing impaired due to ischemia, that is, decreased blood supply, by increasing oxygen in the inner ear. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is effective by improving inner ear metabolism, increasing oxygenation and solving edema.
It has been shown that successful results are obtained in cases treated within the first month following the development of sudden hearing loss. The aim is to prevent permanent damage to the inner ear.
Is Avascular Necrosis treated with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Patients usually present with complaints of pain and limitation of movement. Although the exact cause of the disease is not known, it develops due to decreased blood supply in the bone and thus oxygenation.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is effective by increasing oxygenation, especially in patients with early-stage avascular necrosis. It has been reported that 93% of patients who received HBOT in the early stage stopped the progression of the disease or completely recovered.
What does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in case of Radiation Necroses?
The nutrition and oxygenation of the radiotherapy treated area decreases and it gains a more sensitive feature. The self-healing abilities of these regions also decrease. Even minor traumas can cause death in these tissues.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps to eliminate the negative effects of radiotherapy on different tissues such as intestines, bladder, skin, brain tissue, genital organs and bone tissue. This increases the oxygen levels of the tissues and supports the formation of new capillaries.
Suspected Involvement Skin Flaps and Grafts
Skin graft and flap applications are one of the surgical operations that are frequently applied in the treatment of non-healing and problematic wounds. It is also known as ” skin patch surgeries ” among the people . The success rate of these operations may be low in people with circulatory disorders, especially diabetes patients and patients with vascular occlusion.
Low oxygen levels prevent healing in grafts and flaps that are suspected to be involved. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy significantly increases the success rate of graft and flap operations with its effect of supporting circulation and increasing tissue oxygen. It is applied to prepare the wound area before the operation and to accelerate the healing after the operation.
Chronic Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is a progressive infection of bone tissue resulting in bone death. Chronic osteomyelitis is defined as the long-term chronicity of this infection due to inadequate treatment. The disease can persist for months or even years.
In the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis, drug applications , wound care and, when necessary, surgical interventions, as well as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) significantly increase the chance of success. Studies have reported success rates of up to 90% with HBOT.
HBOT provides many different, beneficial effects in patients with chronic osteomyelitis. It accelerates wound healing, increases the oxygen level in the bone tissue, increases the effect of some antibiotics and helps the lesion area to get better blood.HBOT is performed in patients with chronic osteomyelitis as well as in some patients with acute osteomyelitis. It provides successful results in the healing of bone and wound area in spine, skull bones and sternum infections.
Are there any conditions where wound healing is delayed?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy also contributes to the healing of chronic wounds by increasing collagen synthesis, supporting healthy bone tissue and blood circulation, and increasing the effect of some antibiotics.
Can HBOT help with Crush Injuries, Compartment Syndrome and Other Acute Traumatic Ischemia?
Thermal Burns treated with Hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
- First degree burns: These are superficial burns. Often seen as sunburns and hot water burns. It heals without a trace.
- Second-degree burns: These are deeper burns. It is very painful. Fluid-filled bubbles (bullae) form on the skin. It heals in a longer time and leaving a scar.
- Third-degree burns: It involves all layers of the skin and also affects the subcutaneous tissue. Sweat glands and hair follicles are also damaged. The skin loses its elasticity. It takes a very long time to heal and heals by leaving an intense scar.
- Fourth degree burns: The burn has reached deep organs such as bone tissue.
- While mild burns can be treated on an outpatient basis, patients who develop severe burns may require hospitalization. The aim of the treatment is to control edema, to prevent tissue loss by providing adequate oxygen, to prevent the spread of damage, to reduce the risk of infection, to accelerate wound healing and to protect patients against organ failure.
During hyperbaric oxygen therapy, oxygen levels increase, and it is possible to provide sufficient oxygen to the tissues with the vasoconstrictor and edema-reducing effect. With its anti-inflammatory effect, it blocks the inflammatory response cascade that develops as a result of burns.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be applied in burns involving more than 20% of the body surface, burns accompanied by carbon monoxide poisoning and major trauma, electrical burns, burns of the hand, face, perineum, burns affecting the respiratory tract, and burns in risky patients.
Frostbites are also included in thermal injuries. It is a dull hypothermia trauma. Blood circulation is impaired due to severe narrowing of the vessels. Tissues are damaged both as a result of poor circulation and insufficient oxygenation, and during rewarming. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy offers an effective treatment method for frostbite or frostbite injuries as well as hot burns.
Can HBOT help with Decompression Sickness (Highlight illness)?
The disease is examined in 2 types:
Type 1 Decompression Disease: It is a mild decompression disease with joint pain and skin findings.
Type 2 Decompression Disease: It progresses with more severe symptoms. It can cause death by affecting the circulatory, respiratory and nervous systems.
The main treatment method for decompression sickness is hyperbaric oxygen therapy. In case of any doubt, the Underwater Medicine and Hyperbaric Medicine Specialist should be contacted immediately, and the patient should be transferred to the nearest center with a pressure chamber under appropriate conditions.
Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy treating Air or Gas Embolism?
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning treated with HBOT?
Carbon monoxide gas binds to hemoglobin in the blood, which carries oxygen to the tissues 200-240 times more than oxygen. As a result of insufficient oxygen transport to the tissues by hemoglobin, many different signs and symptoms occur.
The course of the disease varies depending on the exposure time, the carbon monoxide concentration, the time of initiation of the treatment and the method of oxygen therapy administration. Children, the elderly, pregnant women, people with certain chronic diseases and people who have consumed alcohol are in the higher risk group.
The basis of treatment is based on breathing oxygen to the patient. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the main treatment method in severe poisoning and risky patients.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy rapidly removes carbon monoxide from hemoglobin. It ensures the dissolution of a high amount of oxygen in the blood and the transport of sufficient oxygen to the tissues.
HBOT for Gas Gangrene and Other Necrotizing Infections?
The common feature of these infections is hypoxia, that is, oxygen deficiency. It has been shown that the course of the disease is positively affected and the chance of success increases with hyperbaric oxygen therapy applied in addition to medical and surgical treatments. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases the oxygen level, creating an unsuitable environment for bacterial growth. It enhances the effect of some antibiotics and supports the body’s immune system functions.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy helping Retinal Artery Occlusion (Sudden vision loss) healing?
Some diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, and heart valve diseases may also increase the risk of retinal artery occlusions. After the examination by ophthalmologists, the patients are diagnosed with a definite diagnosis, drug treatments are arranged and they are referred for hyperbaric oxygen therapy as soon as possible.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases the oxygen level in the retinal tissue where blood supply is impaired, and ensures the preservation of the vitality and functions of the retina. Patients diagnosed with sudden vision loss due to retinal artery occlusion should apply to a center with a pressure chamber as soon as possible.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for Anoxic Encephalopathy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy allows oxygen to reach the deoxygenated areas of the brain by increasing the level of oxygen dissolved in the brain tissue and reducing cerebral edema in anoxic encephalopathy. Patients should be treated as soon as possible, and care should be taken not to interrupt the patient’s other treatments and intensive care needs during hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pre-Cure
What is "not sick"?
What is "preventive treatment"?
What common constitutions are included in the TCM constitution classification?
Why carry out the work of "preventive treatment"? What are the benefits of "preventive treatment"?
What does the concept of "preventive treatment" include?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy helping Retinal Artery Occlusion (Sudden vision loss) healing?
Some diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, and heart valve diseases may also increase the risk of retinal artery occlusions. After the examination by ophthalmologists, the patients are diagnosed with a definite diagnosis, drug treatments are arranged and they are referred for hyperbaric oxygen therapy as soon as possible.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases the oxygen level in the retinal tissue where blood supply is impaired, and ensures the preservation of the vitality and functions of the retina. Patients diagnosed with sudden vision loss due to retinal artery occlusion should apply to a center with a pressure chamber as soon as possible.