Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that involves breathing pure oxygen inside a special chamber where the air pressure is higher than normal. This therapy is gaining popularity for treating a variety of conditions by providing hyperbaric oxygen treatment that helps increase tissue oxygen levels.
This article will explore what the therapy is, discuss its general safety profile, and highlight common side effects as well as rare complications. It will also address how risks can be minimized when receiving the treatment in a clinical setting.
What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used to treat a variety of medical conditions where increasing oxygen delivery to damaged or hypoxic tissues can promote healing and recovery. It is an FDA-approved treatment for decompression sickness common in divers, carbon monoxide poisoning, and serious air or gas embolisms that block blood flow.
HBOT also helps heal chronic wounds, especially diabetic foot ulcers, and treats infections like necrotizing soft tissue infections and refractory osteomyelitis (bone infections). It is also used to support healing in radiation injuries, crush injuries, thermal burns, and compromised skin grafts or flaps. In addition to these benefits, HBOT promotes skin health by accelerating wound healing, stimulating collagen production to improve skin elasticity and texture, reducing inflammation and redness, and aiding the recovery of compromised skin grafts or burns. Additional applications include the treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss, certain vision problems involving the retina, and reducing the severity of traumatic injuries by enhancing oxygen supply to tissues.
At the Quantum Wellness Center our Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Sarasota, FL is offered in spacious, comfortable chambers with personalized, physician-directed care to maximize recovery and wellness benefits. This approach creates an optimal healing environment, allowing your body to recharge and restore itself more effectively.
How is HBOT Performed?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is done using hyperbaric oxygen chambers—either monoplace chambers designed for one patient or multiplace chambers accommodating several—where the pressure inside the chamber is increased to higher than normal air pressure.
During therapy, patients breathe pure oxygen delivered through oxygen tanks or concentrators. This oxygen treatment significantly raises oxygen levels in the blood and tissues, aiding healing processes. The Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society is a leading authority on approved uses and protocols for this therapy.
General Safety of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
HBOT is generally considered safe and effective when administered by trained health care providers in certified hyperbaric units. The therapy involves carefully controlling the air pressure and oxygen concentration inside the hyperbaric chamber to provide enough oxygen without causing harm.
Most patients tolerate the pressurized environment well, and the risk of serious complications remains low. It is considered a safe and effective treatment for 14 health conditions, including carbon monoxide poisoning, severe blood loss, necrotizing fasciitis, and certain wound and burn injuries. The therapy’s controlled environment helps ensure patient comfort and safety throughout sessions.
Common Side Effects and Mild Complications
While receiving the therapy, some patients may experience side effects associated with changes in air pressure and elevated oxygen levels. One frequent issue is middle ear barotrauma caused by the pressure changes inside the chamber, similar to the discomfort felt during airplane takeoff or descent. This can lead to ear pain, temporary hearing changes, or mild sinus discomfort.
Other side effects include temporary vision changes due to the effects of HBOT on the eyes, mild anxiety or claustrophobia from being inside the pressurized chamber, and occasional nosebleeds. These manifestations of oxygen toxicity are generally mild and manageable with precautions such as yawning or swallowing to equalize ear pressure and using decongestants if needed.
Rare but Serious Risks
Oxygen poisoning, also called oxygen toxicity, may affect the central nervous system and cause seizures, particularly if exposed to high concentrations of oxygen for prolonged periods. Pulmonary edema associated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, though uncommon, is another serious risk involving fluid accumulation in the lungs.
The risk of fire is a critical safety concern due to the presence of high oxygen concentration, which is why strict fire safety protocols are in place. Treatment centers follow rigorous safety guidelines to minimize these risks.
Factors Influencing Safety
The safety of HBO therapy depends on factors such as the total pressure in the chamber, duration and frequency of therapy sessions, and the patient’s individual health status. Longer or repeated therapy sessions may raise the risk of side effects, so therapy protocols are carefully designed to balance benefits and risks.
Patients are screened prior to treatment to detect any contraindications, such as untreated pneumothorax or other medical issues that may increase complications. Age, sex, and existing ear or lung conditions can also influence susceptibility to side effects. The US Navy Treatment Table 6 guides regimen timings to reduce complications during decompression sickness treatment.
Measures to Minimize Risks and Enhance Safety
Techniques to relieve pressure in the middle ear during treatment, like yawning or swallowing, are encouraged. Decongestants or antihistamines can manage sinus symptoms. For patients with claustrophobia, sedation options may be available. Fire prevention is paramount, with controlled oxygen concentration levels and the use of flame-retardant materials inside the chamber.
Continuous monitoring of patients and strict maintenance of equipment and safety protocols are employed in clinical settings to detect and address complications early. Accreditation by the Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society ensures adherence to best safety practices.
Final Thoughts from Quantum Wellness Center
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is considered safe and effective when administered under appropriate medical supervision in certified clinical settings. When performed properly, hyperbaric medicine provides a valuable therapy to increase oxygen levels in tissue, aiding recovery from a range of conditions.
At Quantum Wellness Center, we provide cutting-edge hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Sarasota, combined with holistic care designed to restore balance in your mind, body, and spirit. Visit us today and explore our innovative, science-backed therapies to safely elevate your health and wellbeing, all in a luxurious, comfortable setting.
