Conditions that can be treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves breathing oxygen in a hyperbaric chamber. It increases the amount of oxygen in the body carried by the blood to supply injured tissue—patients treated with HBOT breathe about 100 percent of the oxygen inside the chamber.
The dose of oxygen and recommended treatment depends on the person's condition and how their body responds to the treatment. In addition, HBOT may include risks and complications that physicians should inform patients before treatment.
HBOT treats a variety of conditions, from infections to air bubbles in blood vessels. Treatment for different medical conditions can also include surgical or drug causes that affect the body.
What are the indications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can treat many different conditions. The Subsea and Hyperbaric Medicine Society has identified 14 medical conditions and has had successful clinical trials in the treatment of HBOT. Some diseases are FDA-approved, while others are still in trials.
FDA approves HBOT therapy for certain diseases, such as:
gas embolism
Gas embolism occurs when air bubbles enter a vein or even an artery. Arterial gas embolism (AGE) is usually caused by submarine escape training, when someone stands up after breathing compressed gas in the deep sea. Another condition is venous gas embolism (VGE), which occurs after diving with compressed gas.
brain abscess
Brain abscesses include brain abscess, subdural empyema, and epidural empyema disease. Depending on the diagnosis, hyperbaric treatment doses are usually about 2.0 to 2.5 atmospheres absolute for about 60 to 90 minutes.
Burns
Burn infections are the leading cause of death from burns. The goals of burn treatment are to provide rapid healing, prevent scarring and hyperpigmentation, and reduce monetary costs.
poisoned by carbon monoxide
The two organ systems most vulnerable to injury are the cardiovascular system and the central nervous system.
Cyanide and carbon monoxide poisoning
Cyanide and carbon monoxide poisoning can occur in people who breathe fire smoke.
Squeeze damage
A crush injury is a trauma to various parts of the body that results in minor or severe limb injury. Injuries can involve multiple tissues of the skin, muscles and even bones and joints.
Skin Grafts and Flaps
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is only indicated for skin grafts or flaps that are affected by radiation or have insufficient oxygen in the tissue.
sudden deafness
Sudden deafness is a hearing loss of 30 decibels that occurs within three days or three frequencies. Most patients experience sudden hearing loss, tinnitus, red or red ears, and dizziness.
gangrene
Gangrene is a muscle infection. It is often present in patients with complex fractures that result in soft tissue damage following an accident. Preferred treatments are usually HBOT therapy, surgery, and antibiotics.
sudden vision loss
Sudden vision loss is painless vision loss that is usually permanent. It occurs in patients with inflammation of blood vessels, blood clots, and thickening or hardening of arteries.
Necrotizing Fasciitis
Necrotizing fasciitis is a soft tissue infection caused by flesh-eating bacteria.
delayed radiation damage
Delayed radiation injury is one of the most studied and reported targets of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. However, there are few known causes for this condition.
diseases caused by diabetes
Diabetic diseases include foot ulcers, retinopathy and kidney disease.
decompression sickness
Decompression sickness involves air bubbles in tissue or blood. It can cause joint pain, rash, peripheral or central nervous system dysfunction, asphyxiation, and ultimately shock and death.
severe anemia
Severe anemia is the loss of red blood cells, usually caused by bleeding, hemolysis, or hypoplasia, that affects how the blood carries oxygen.
osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone or marrow.
In addition, hyperbaric oxygen therapy may treat different diseases that have not yet been approved by the FDA. Different HBOT treatment centers may allow treatment of such problems. Diseases not approved by the FDA are called off-label diseases.
Off-label conditions may benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy. These include:
chronic pain
Lyme disease
Migraine
fibromyalgia
arthritis
stroke
Crohn's disease
Over time and research, new diseases will be added to the approved list. However, the use of HBOT therapy for off-label conditions may not be covered by insurance. Contact your doctor who will determine if hyperbaric oxygen therapy is right for you.
Who needs to take precautions before HBOT?
If you are considering or even deciding to have HBOT treatment, you should
Take some necessary precautions. Before proceeding with treatment, make sure the healthcare provider is certified as a trained medical practitioner.
The healthcare provider in charge of your program should be trained in the appropriate subsea and hyperbaric medical associations. Also, before you agree to treatment, ask to see a certificate certifying that they have completed the course.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is not recommended for everyone. Some people may have certain diseases or conditions that may make HBOT worse or have a higher risk of complex problems. People with the following medical conditions should consult a doctor:
People with certain lung diseases may be at higher risk for collapsed lungs
people with a cold or fever
People who have had recent ear surgery or injury
When talking to a medical professional, list any conditions that you might fall into a high-risk category. Consult your provider if you are unsure.
What are the complications of HBOT?
As with any treatment, patients should be aware of the risks before continuing. However, complications are rare and hyperbaric oxygen therapy is mostly safe.
Some complications include:
collapsed lung
Changes in air pressure often cause the lungs to collapse.
Seizures
Too much oxygen in the central nervous system may cause seizures.
middle ear injury
Middle ear injuries include rupture of the eardrum and fluid leakage from changes in air pressure.
temporary myopia
Replacing the lens may cause temporary nearsightedness.
lower blood sugar
People who use insulin experience lower blood sugar.
claustrophobia
Claustrophobia is the fear of cramped places. Because HBOT treatment is performed by having the patient lie down in an enclosed room, those sensitive to narrow areas should be careful.
In some cases of complications, patients may experience discomfort. If needed, some people may also take short breaks to breathe normal air to prevent oxygen poisoning. Don't be afraid to ask more about the other risks of hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
What are the side effects of HBOT?
Any form of treatment can affect the body. Depending on the duration and how each person handles treatment, some may be more severe than others.
The side effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy are noteworthy. Some side effects are less severe, while others can have serious effects on the body. These include:
lung damage
sinus injury
fatigue
dizzy
Most side effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy are mild. Sometimes, however, HBOT therapy can last more than two hours, depending on the dose each person needs.
HBOT treatment lasting longer than two hours may cause side effects. Also, this can happen if the pressure inside the hyperbaric chamber is more than three times the atmospheric pressure.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy results will vary for each patient. Some people need more than one course of treatment to be adequately treated.