Perhaps you have been informed by a health care professional
that Hyperbaric treatment may help you to heal faster, or perhaps you’ve done
some research and come to that conclusion yourself. Either way, you need more information so that
you know what’s involved, whether hyperbarics will actually help you, and
whether you are a good candidate for this medical treatment.
Here’s some information that should help:
What is Hyperbaric Medicine?
Hyperbaric Medicine involves placing the patient in a
special chamber that will safely withstand increased atmospheric pressure, and
having that patient breathe 100% oxygen while under increased pressure.
How much of an increase in pressure is there?
The typical pressure increase during a hyperbaric medicine
treatment is the equivalent of diving to between 33 and 50 feet of sea water (2
– 2 ½ Atmospheres Absolute, also known as ATA).
Some extreme medical cases – such as divers or tunnel
workers suffering from Decompression Illness, or anyone suffering from gas
embolism – require pressurization to the equivalent of 165 feet of sea water (6
ATA).
What sensations will I feel?
As the hyperbaric chamber is pressurized, you will feel as
if you are traveling on an airplane, or driving in a car up a mountain: your
ears will need to equalize the increased pressure. This is usually easy to do; before you begin
treatments, you will be shown techniques that will help you to equalize and be
comfortable. You should not experience
any pain.
How big are the hyperbaric chambers?
There are two general types of hyperbaric chamber: a
monoplace chamber, designed to accommodate one patient at a time, and the
multiplace chamber which is designed to accommodate several people, as its name
suggests. Since multiplace chambers are
purpose-built, they can house as many people as they are constructed and
certified for. At least one healthcare
professional will be inside the multiplace chamber to assist patients.
The monoplace chamber is designed to let the patient lay
comfortably on a special mattress during treatment. Patients are able to watch a movie or TV,
listen to music, or just sleep if they wish.
What can be done if I’ve very nervous about going into a
hyperbaric chamber?
If you have a lot of anxiety about your hyperbaric
treatment, the doctor can prescribe some medication to help you relax. This medication will not interfere with your
hyperbaric treatment. After a few
treatments, most patients get used to the sensations of the hyperbaric chamber
and will no longer require anti-anxiety medication.
How long does a hyperbaric treatment last?
The typical hyperbaric treatment lasts for approximately two
(2) hours. Depending on your medical
condition, you may require a series of hyperbaric treatments to ensure that you
get better.
In the case of divers and tunnel workers who suffer from a
severe bout of Decompression Illness – commonly referred to as “the bends” – a
hyperbaric treatment may be six (6) or more hours.
Why are multiple hyperbaric treatments usually needed before
someone heals completely?
Depending on your medical condition and the diagnosis for
which you are being treated, you may need as few as one or two (1-2)
treatments, or as many as several months’ worth of treatments. The body is complex and takes time to
heal. In most cases, hyperbaric medicine
is in addition to other medical treatments and provides a needed boost to the
body’s own ability to heal.
How does hyperbaric medicine work to heal my medical condition?
Breathing 100% oxygen while under increased atmospheric
pressure has been shown to do several very helpful things:
- Various components of the immune system become much more active, resulting in far more rapid destruction of harmful, intrusive, damaging cells.
- The increased oxygen acts to kill bacteria.
- The body increases the production of collagen, a key ingredient for wound healing.
- The body produces more capillaries in damaged regions of the body; this allows more nutrients, oxygen, and immune system and healing cells to get to and repair the damaged area(s) faster than they otherwise could.
- For divers and tunnel workers suffering from Decompression Illness, or people who have suffered gas embolism, increased pressure reduces inert gas bubbles and re-oxygenates tissues.
- In the case of carbon monoxide poisoning, hyperbaric oxygen is the only thing that will break the bond between the carbon monoxide molecules and the blood’s hemoglobin so that oxygen can again be transported by the bloodstream. If the carbon monoxide bond is not broken the victim may die; if treatment is delayed and the carbon monoxide:hemoglobin bond is not broken quickly enough, permanent damage may result.
Are there any risks of hyperbaric medical treatments?
The most common risk is pressure injury to the ears and
sinuses. This is easily avoided by
making sure your sinuses are free from blockage, e.g. not having a hyperbaric
treatment when you have a cold or allergy, and making sure that you equalize
the pressure on your ears during treatment.
You will be shown how to do this before and during your hyperbaric
treatments.
In order to prevent complications, certain things are
prohibited from the hyperbaric chamber.
This will be explained to you during your hyperbaric orientation session.
Some medications are contraindicated for use during
hyperbaric treatments, or even for some time before undergoing a course of
hyperbaric treatments. Some medical
conditions, such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Congestive
Heart Failure (CHF), Vascular Insufficiency, and respiratory infections are
contraindicated for hyperbaric medicine.
You will be evaluated by a medical doctor trained in
hyperbaric medicine and some tests will be done to determine if you are a good
candidate for hyperbaric medical treatment.
Does insurance cover hyperbaric treatments?
Insurance companies usually following the lead set by The
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in approving hyperbaric
medicine as either the main treatment or as an adjunctive treatment for the
following medical conditions:
Click here for a list of coverable conditions (Please use the browser back button to return to this blog)
Watch our informative hyperbaric patient video guide:
About the Life Support Technologies Group (LST)
The Life Support Technologies Group (LST) is a Tarrytown,
NY-based medical and life-support engineering company specializing in Advanced
Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Services to hospitals in the NY, NJ, CT region. LST has been in business for 20 years and
currently provides services to 9 hospitals.
Glenn
Butler, CEO
Life
Support Technologies Group
(914)
333-8412
