Hyperbaric Medicine
Understanding HBO2 Treatment
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment?
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBO2) is a medical treatment that involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment, typically within a special chamber called a hyperbaric chamber. The pressure inside the chamber is much higher than normal atmospheric pressure—usually two to three times greater. Under these conditions, the lungs can absorb more oxygen than under normal pressure.
The increased oxygen intake has therapeutic effects, as it helps:
- Boost blood oxygen levels: The high oxygen concentration promotes oxygenation of tissues that may be deprived due to injury or disease, aiding in faster healing.
- Reduce inflammation and swelling: HBO2 can reduce inflammation, especially in cases of chronic wounds or injuries.
- Support immune response: High oxygen levels enhance white blood cell activity, helping fight infection.
HBO2 is used to treat a variety of conditions, including decompression sickness (common in divers), severe infections, wounds that do not heal due to diabetes or radiation injury, carbon monoxide poisoning, and some types of gas embolism. Treatment duration and pressure settings depend on the specific condition and patient needs.
How Does HBO2 Work?
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBO2) works by increasing the amount of oxygen your blood can carry, promoting healing and improving immune function. Here’s a breakdown of how it functions:
- Increased Oxygen Delivery: HBO2 enhances the amount of oxygen dissolved in the blood, which is crucial for tissue repair and regeneration.
- Stimulating Collagen Production: Oxygen is vital for collagen synthesis, a key component in wound healing.
- Reducing Edema: The increased pressure helps reduce swelling and fluid buildup in tissues, improving circulation.
- Enhancing Immune Function: HBO2 boosts the activity of white blood cells, aiding in the fight against infection and promoting healing.
- Stimulating Angiogenesis: The treatment promotes the formation of new blood vessels, improving blood flow to the wound site.
- Decreasing Inflammation: By reducing inflammation, HBO2 can create a more favorable environment for healing.
Overall, these effects contribute to faster and more effective wound healing, especially in cases of chronic or non-healing wounds.
Services and Treatments
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments
- Medical Treatment: We provide high-pressure oxygen therapy for a variety of conditions such as decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning, chronic non-healing wounds, radiation injuries, and infections.
- Chronic Wound Care: We use HBO2 therapy to accelerate the healing of diabetic ulcers, surgical wounds, and other chronic or non-healing wounds.
- Diving and Aerospace Medicine
- Commercial and Recreational Diving Physicals
- Dive Emergency Services
- Treatment and Management for Decompression Sickness
- Treatment for Hypoxia
- Support for Altitude Sickness and Rapid Descent Issues
- Post-Mission Recovery for Astronauts
- Hyperbaric Support for Tunneling and Subsurface Work
- Tunneling Operations Hyperbaric Support: On-site hyperbaric chambers and medical support for tunneling operations, providing immediate treatment for decompression illness and other pressure-related injuries.
- Pressure-Related Medical Assistance: Emergency care for workers experiencing barotrauma, nitrogen narcosis, or other pressure-related health concerns.
- Hyperbaric Medicine Consulting: Expertise for project managers and engineers in designing safety protocols for tunneling and deep subsurface operations.
- Consultation and Education
- Hyperbaric Medicine Consultation: Our clinic offers expert consulting services for healthcare providers seeking to incorporate HBO2 into their practice or treatment protocols.
- Educational Programs: Training and educational resources for divers, medical professionals, and workers in high-risk industries on the benefits and safety of hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HBO2?
HBO2 is a treatment that involves breathing pure oxygen at an increased pressure to increase the amount of oxygen reaching tissues.
Is HBO2 painful?
HBO2 is usually painless, but patients may experience a feeling of fullness in their ears, similar to flying in an airplane or driving up a mountain.
How long does a treatment last?
HBO2 treatments typically last 90 to 110 minutes and are administered one to two times per day, five days a week.
How many treatments are needed?
The number of treatments needed depends on the patient’s condition and response to treatments, but most patients receive between 30 and 40 treatments.
What should I expect during treatment?
Patients relax in a transparent chamber where they can sit-up or lay down on a stretcher They can listen to music, watch TV, or talk with staff.
What should I do to prepare for treatment?
Patients should eat before their appointment to maintain stable blood sugar. They should also avoid wearing scents, perfumes, or colognes, as others may be sensitive to them.
What can't I bring into the chamber?
Patients can’t bring cell phones, sharp objects, or incendiary devices into the chamber. They also can’t wear certain items, such as hair spray, makeup, nylons, ointments, or synthetic clothing.
What happens after treatment?
After treatment, the chamber is decompressed to normal atmospheric pressure. Patients may feel a bubbling sensation in their ears, but there should be no discomfort.
Does insurance cover treatment?
All major insurance including Medicare/Medicaid are accepted.
What are the risks of HBO2?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is generally a safe procedure. Complications are rare. But this treatment does carry some risk.
Potential risks include:
- Middle ear injuries, including leaking fluid and eardrum rupture, due to changes in air pressure.
- Temporary nearsightedness, called myopia, caused by temporary eye lens changes.
- Lung collapse caused by air pressure changes, called barotrauma.
- Seizures because of too much oxygen, also called oxygen toxicity, in your central nervous system.
- Lowered blood sugar in people who have diabetes treated with insulin.
- In certain circumstances, fire.