What is hyperbaric medicine?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves the delivery of oxygen at a higher pressure than normal to increase the amount of oxygen in the blood. It is also known as hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Why is hyperbaric medicine performed?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is mainly used as a treatment in emergency situations such as:
- Decompression sickness: a condition caused by returning to normal air pressure levels after diving or tunneling, where gas bubbles form within the tissues. This can cause mild symptoms, such as pain or fatigue, or serious problems such as organ failure and neurological damage.
- Gas embolism: A condition in which gas bubbles enter the circulatory system during some types of medical procedures.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning.
The goal is to increase the amount of oxygen in the blood.
In addition, several clinics have established hyperbaric chambers to treat a wide range of chronic conditions or injuries. The theory is that increasing oxygen levels in the blood helps the body heal itself more quickly. However, evidence on the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy varies:
- There is some indication that it may help heal wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers or inflammation of the colon caused by radiation therapy.
- The evidence is weak or poor for the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for brain injuries, concussions, autism, trigeminal neuralgia or fractures.
- There is strong evidence that hyperbaric oxygen therapy for multiple sclerosis is not effective.
Finally, hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be avoided if you suffer from a collapsed lung.
What does hyperbaric medicine consist of?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an outpatient procedure so it is not necessary to stay overnight in the hospital. The treatment usually lasts between one to two hours.
Some hyperbaric chambers are designed for one person, while others are designed for several people to share. During the procedure, the air pressure increases two to three times the normal pressure. If you share a room with other people, you can receive pure oxygen through a mask or a tight-fitting hood.
In most cases, the procedure has no side effects, but you may experience some pressure over the eyes and in the ears, resulting in temporary changes in vision.
How to prepare for hyperbaric medicine?
Before the procedure, you may be asked to remove makeup, jewelry, watches or wigs, and you may be asked not to wear deodorant or perfume.
Alternatives to this treatment
If you suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning, standard oxygen therapy is sometimes recommended, if available, because there is insufficient evidence to show that hyperbaric oxygen therapy is more effective.
Excluding the emergency situations described above, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is considered a form of adjunctive therapy. Therefore, it is important to continue medical treatment recommended by your physician if you are living with a long-term condition, such as trigeminal neuralgia or fibroneuralgia.