Understand The Working And Risks Involved With Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy!

Are you curious about the recently hyped-up hyperbaric oxygen therapy? Do you wish to know how it works and improves your overall wellbeing? Keep reading through to find out!! 

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing pure oxygen in a special chamber. It is primarily created to help the divers for treating diving-related illness and associated respiratory conditions. In recent times, these have been widely used by practitioners in hospitals to treat concerned patients. 

How does hyperbaric oxygen therapy work?

The patient is given comfortable clothes and made to sit or lay down inside the hyperbaric oxygen chamber. Inside the chamber, an individual breathes near 100% oxygen intermittently. As the purest form of oxygen reaches body tissues that were previously deprived of oxygen, the healing process is accelerated. The high-pressure oxygen enhances tissue function and fights infection under certain conditions. This increases the concentration of oxygen available to the lungs by up to three times.

What to expect from hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an outpatient procedure and requires a certain number of sessions, depending on a person’s condition. Individuals with carbon monoxide poisoning usually prefer to take the therapy. If someone is suffering from soft tissue necrosis, multiple sessions are certainly required to witness significant benefits. 

The therapy primarily involves getting the patient ready by making them put on a cotton medical gown. After that, they are instructed to sit or lay down comfortably in a sealed chamber. The chamber usually is a clear plastic tube in which the patient enters. The chamber is filled with pressurized oxygen, which may arrive through a mask or hood. After a fixed amount of time, the oxygen pressure stops, and the patient is instructed to come out of the chamber and calm themselves down for a while. 

What are the risks involved with hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Inappropriate use of the equipment or taking the therapy for too long can lead to numerous adverse effects. As the therapy involves oxygen at high atmospheric pressure, the possible side effects include damage or pain in the ears, eyes, teeth, etc., individuals can also experience sinus or related health problems. Furthermore, here are some common side effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy if not done correctly:

• Claustrophobia
• Low blood pressure(hypoglycemia)
• Anxiety attacks
• Pulmonary edema
• Lung collapse
• Blurry vision

In rare scenarios, there are chances of oxygen poisoning where excessive oxygen is delivered in the tissues of the body, causing further complications. In addition, individuals must get diagnosed with any health condition before the therapy to prevent any poor effects.

The Key Takeaway

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is primarily beneficial for individuals with carbon monoxide poisoning and other conditions. Individuals undergoing this therapy must ensure that their practitioners or providers are well qualified and licensed. They must also take care that the therapy is carried out in a safe and hygienic environment to avoid complications. Do some research before opting for hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the UK and get in touch with a well-experienced and certified practitioner to yield desired results.