What is HBO?
Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy is a medical treatment prescribed by a doctor to enhance the body’s ability to heal. HBO therapy is an outpatient procedure that is provided once daily, for approximately four to six weeks.
During hyperbaric oxygen therapy, you breathe 100% pure oxygen while inside a pressurized chamber. The pressure inside this chamber is about two and a half times greater than the normal pressure in the atmosphere.
This high pressure environment allows your blood to carry more oxygen to all parts of your body to repair injured tissue. HBO therapy also helps to fight certain infections, such as those that occur in the bone.
Conditions treated with HBO therapy include:
- Diabetic foot ulcers
- Chronic bone infections (osteomyelitis)
- Non-healing surgical skin flaps and grafts
- Symptoms caused by radiation therapy (such as pain, wounds, rectal or bladder bleeding)
- Crush injuries
- Certain types of sudden hearing loss
- Sudden vision loss
Many different conditions have been shown to benefit from HBO therapy, especially chronic, non-healing wounds. HBO therapy is often used in conjunction with other treatments.
Are there any side effects?
Prior to your treatment, your physician will discuss with you potential risks and side effects. Most patients experience no side effects from HBO therapy. However, some patients may feel ear discomfort or sinus pressure.
HBO Therapy Process
Once you are in the hyperbaric chamber and the door is closed, you will hear the oxygen beginning to circulate as the technician starts the gradual increase in pressure. This is called compression. Some patients experience a temporary warmth, but after the initial compression period, the temperature will regulate and be very comfortable.
During compression, you may feel a fullness or popping sensation in your ears similar to what is felt while flying in a plane or driving in the mountains. Your technician will teach you how to clear your ears to relieve this sensation.
The compression period generally lasts between 10 and 15 minutes. Once the compression period is over, you will no longer feel the fullness in your ears. You will remain in the chamber for 1.5 to 2 hours. During this time, you may rest or sleep, watch television or listen to music.
Near the end of your treatment, the technician will gradually decrease the pressure inside the chamber. This is called decompression.
Watch this short video for a better explanation on how the HBO process works.
Summing it All Up
HBO therapy is a safe, well-proven treatment to help the body heal.
HBO therapy is covered by Medicare and other insurance plans for many conditions.
HBO therapy is used along with other wound care treatments to speed up the healing process.