Hyperbaric Medicine
Treatment

What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is simply breathing 100 percent oxygen while in a pressurized chamber. Breathing oxygen in the hyperbaric environment increases blood levels of dissolved oxygen. This is a painless procedure that can have dramatic results in difficult cases.

How is hyperbaric oxygen given?
Patients may be treated as in-patients or out-patients. When you arrive, a locker will be available for you to lock up your belongings. You will change into 100 percent cotton hospital clothing and be individually assessed prior to each treatment. You will then be placed in a climate controlled, large steel chamber. This chamber is approximately nine feet in diameter and 34 feet long. As many as 18 patients can sit or lie down comfortably for the treatment.

The term dive is often used in reference to a hyperbaric treatment because of the similarities between chamber pressures and those found in sea water. Once patients and a staff member are inside, the chamber is pressurized with air to a pressure equivalent to 45 or 66 feet of sea water.

This means the air pressure you feel on your body is the same as the water pressure you would feel if you were scuba diving in the ocean at depths of 45 to 66 feet.

Once the chamber is pressurized, you will be placed under a clear plastic hood connected to a source of pure oxygen. You will be able to breathe easily and comfortably. The chamber has portholes, or small windows, so you can watch outside activity. Patients often pass the time by reading books or magazines, or by taking a nap. Communication via headsets is maintained at all times between the chamber operator and the staff member inside the chamber with you. Most treatments are provided in two-hour segments.

What will I feel during the treatment?
For the first 10 minutes of a dive a chamber is somewhat noisy. The temperature will increase slightly. Once at the prescribed depth, the temperature will return to a comfortable level. You may feel fullness in your ears, similar to what you feel when flying in an airplane or driving in the mountains. You must equalize the pressure in your ears to avoid any discomfort. You will learn this technique prior to treatment. Occasionally, patients are unable to clear their ears. If this happens, you may be referred to an ear specialist for evaluation before continuing your treatments.

What should I do to prepare for my treatments in the hyperbaric chamber?
You must first sign a consent for treatment form. Your safety as well as the safety of the staff are of primary concern to us. You must not bring any of the following items into the chamber:

> Vaseline or petroleum based products
> Hair spray or oils
> Aftershave, cologne or perfumes
> Make-up or lipstick
> Watches
> Ointments
> Salves
> Liniments
> Hearing aids, ear plugs
> Hard contact lens
> Smoking material, including lighters
> Newspapers or loose leaf papers (however, books, magazines and writing papers are allowed in the chamber)
> Colds or flu-like symptoms may affect the ability to clear your ears. Your treatment may have to be temporarily postponed until symptoms improve.

Smoking is not beneficial to your hyperbaric treatment. We ask that you do not smoke during the course of your treatment. Smoking causes the blood vessels to constrict (tighten). Even one cigarette can have a bad effect, actually causing tissue to suffocate.

Are there any side effects?
Occasionally, some patients experience visual changes and become more nearsighted. We recommend that you do not obtain new glasses until your treatment schedule is completed. In most cases these visual problems are temporary and disappear within three or four months, once treatments stop.

What about visitors?
Visitors are welcome, and we encourage patients to bring their families. If you plan to bring a large group with you, please let us know so we can arrange a tour. During your treatments, family members will be shown to a waiting area where they can read or watch television.

General Information | Technical Information | Treatment

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