What is Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) Therapy?
HBO therapy is the medical administration of oxygen into the body at increased pressures via a pressure chamber. Through HBO therapy, oxygen is delivered directly to body tissue, thereby accelerating the body’s natural ability to heal.
What Disorders are Commonly Treated by HBO Therapy?
Several medical conditions have been shown to benefit from HBO therapy, such as wounds (especially diabetic leg and foot), infections, tissue necrosis, carbon monoxide poisoning and conditions which cause air bubbles in the blood stream.
Medicare and Most Insurance Plans Cover HBO for These Specific Indications:
Wounds and Injury:
- Radiation therapy - late effects (necrosis, abscess, ischemia, fistulas)
- Gas gangrene
- Chronic wounds
- Diabetic ulcers
- Skin grafts and flaps
- Acute traumatic ischemia / crush injury
- Compartment syndrome
Infections:
- Gas gangrene
- Necrotizing infection
- Refractory Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
Blood and Circulatory:
- Air / gas embolism
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Decompression sickness
What do Patients Experience?
During treatment, patients relax comfortably on a bed in the HBO chamber. Oxygen is circulated gradually until the prescribed pressure is reached. Patients will experience a slight warm feeling, but this is only temporary. Some patients report a feeling of fullness or pressure in their ears, similar to what is felt in an airplane, as they adjust to the change in pressure. After pressure is reached, the sensation of fullness in the patient’s ears subsides and the patient is able to sleep, watch television or listen to music. At the end of treatment, air pressure is gradually decreased to normal atmospheric pressure. At this time, the patient may feel cool and experience a “popping” sensation in their ears. Immediately after treatment, patients can resume their normal daily activity.
How Safe is HBO Therapy?
HBO therapy is very safe. HBO therapy staff is with the patient during the entire treatment. The most common side effect of HBO therapy is to the ears or eyes, but these conditions will subside within weeks after the end of therapy. During treatment, patients may experience confinement anxiety (claustrophobia); if this occurs, patients are coached to remain calm, and HBO therapy staff can take a patient out of the chamber upon request. HBO staff take every precaution necessary to prevent fires, which can occur in an oxygen-rich environment. Very rarely, seizures or a pneumothorax (air escaping into the space around the lung) may occur, but these problems will be treated in the department.
