During therapy, the patient will relax in a hyperbaric chamber for 90 to 120 minutes every day. Many patients first undergo 20 treatments. Treatments may be prolonged longer, depending on the wound’s course and/or consequences. The chamber is compressed to the equivalent of diving 33 to 45 feet below sea level with 100 percent oxygen. This rise in pressure permits the dissolution of additional oxygen into the plasma (up to 10 to 20 times more than normal). Normal air contains around 21 percent oxygen. In a hyperbaric chamber, patients breathe around 200 to 240 percent oxygen.
Susie Frye, a Certified Hyperbaric Technologist and Safety Director at Logan Regional Hospital, explains, “Over time, the increase in oxygen encourages angiogenesis, or the development of new blood vessels in the tissues.” She says that hyperbaric oxygen therapy will accelerate the healing process by three to five times for patients who adhere to suggested therapies, diet, and wound care.
Hyper is an abbreviation for elevated, while baric refers to pressure. Frye adds that hyperbaric oxygen treatment may enhance circulation and oxygenation, enabling oxygen to create and repair damaged blood vessels and stimulate collagen development, which promotes healing.
She notes, “The rise in pressure may help lessen edoema, which enhances blood flow.” “Oxygen also aids in the production of new white blood cells, which aids in the body’s defence against infection.”
The chambers are often used to treat diabetic foot sores in which bone, muscle, or tendon may be exposed. In addition to treating osteomyelitis, certain infections, failing grafts or flaps, carbon monoxide poisoning, decompression sickness (bends), and thermal burns, hyperbaric treatments can help treat osteomyelitis, certain infections, failing grafts or flaps, carbon monoxide poisoning, decompression sickness (b Patients with radionecrosis – tissue damage induced by radiation exposure – may also benefit, as can those who have had specific tumours and had radiation therapy.
Cynthia Carman, manager of the wound care/hyperbaric clinic at Logan Regional, states that due to the high oxygen levels connected with hyperbaric chamber usage, she and her colleagues work “under extremely rigorous safety restrictions.” The treatment room prohibits hairspray, deodorant, electrical gadgets, and cigarette lighters, as well as anything that might spark a fire or function as fuel. The majority of patients use treatment time to watch movies, listen to music, or just sleep.
In 2012, Logan Regional acquired two hyperbaric chambers, bringing the total number of chambers to three. Some chambers are designed for several patients, but all three of Logan’s chambers are designed for a single individual. Carman advises individuals to see their physician if they believe hyperbaric therapy may be beneficial.
“This is one of many wound care methods,” Carman explains. We are primarily a wound clinic, although some patients benefit from hyperbaric therapy.
Five advantages of hyperbaric oxygen treatment
Increases tissue oxygenation in the body
Increase blood circulation and blood flow
Increases white blood cell levels
Increases the efficacy of antibiotics
Reduce pain and swelling
For more information click here Information on Oxygen Chambers
