Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

 

 

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

 

 

     Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is a method of treating patients with 100% pure oxygen while the patient is under a pressurized environment. As a result, more oxygen can be dissolved into the plasma and oxygen is absorbed into the tissue for a longer time than the normal atmosphere. This will help to speed up regeneration or healing of wounds and help to stimulate the formation of new capillaries; It also helps to slow down the deterioration in the body, as well as increase the efficiency of immunity, making it more disinfecting against bacteria.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indications for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

As approved by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS), Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can be used as follows :

 

• To treat blockage of blood vessels from Air or Gas Embolism reducing the size of air bubbles thus helping oxygen-deficient tissues to recover.
• To treat carbon monoxide poisoning and smoke aspiration Remove carbon monoxide from hemoglobin and tissues faster, and help to oxygenate tissues that lack oxygen.
• To treat Clostridium and muscle infarction.
• To treat accidental wounds and tissue injuries that are crushed The ischemia area can receive more oxygen and thus reduce swelling.
• To treat depressurization or nitrogen-obstructed cerebral ischemia in divers By reducing the size of gas bubbles in tissues and organs.
• To treat arterial ischemia or obstruction of the central retinal artery It also helps to stimulate the healing of wounds such as diabetic wounds, pressure wounds, wounds from poor blood circulation.
• To treat severe anemia by allowing oxygen-deficient or lacking tissues Receive more oxygen and oxygen to dissolve more easily.
• To treat intracranial abscesses It helps to strengthen the body's defense mechanisms and reduce swelling in the brain area.
• To treat wound infections that cause necrosis It helps to improve the condition of the wound.
• To treat bone infections that cannot be treated normally By oxygenating the infected bone area, it enhances the effect of antibiotics.

 

 

 

 

 

Other Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

• To treat injured tissue after radiation exposure It helps strengthen new blood vessels in the area with radiation abnormalities and tissue hypoxia.
• To treat skin grafts and lack of blood supply encouraging the regeneration of blood vessels.
• To treat the burn scars by limiting water loss in tissues It encourages tissue permeability, which causes the wound to heal faster, and reduces swelling.
• To treat sudden ear failure of unknown cause It helps to improve hearing efficiency for patients with sudden symptoms.

 

 

    

 

 

Risks and Side Effects

1.  Risk of Injury From Ear or Sinus Pressure

     Reduce the causes of pain in the ears or sinuses, and the risk of pressure can damage lung tissue. It is necessary to have a prior ear examination and a lung x-ray to prevent such injuries.

 

2.  Risk of Side Effects From Oxygen Poisoning

     Reduce the side effects which may result in nausea, vomiting, sweating, muscle spasms, vision changes, and seizures, so it's important to learn from the guidelines to reduce this risk.

 

Precautionary Procedures for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

• Maintain cleanliness of the body by showering and washing hair thoroughly to eliminate greasy stains.
• Get enough sleep. In case of fever, cold, extreme fatigue, diarrhea, or allergy symptoms or diseases that are prohibited for treatment, such as chest and lung injuries,  please inform the staff prior to the treatment.
• Avoid drinking soft drinks and alcoholic beverages.
• Refrain from smoking at least 4 hours before the treatment
• Take medications as prescribed by your doctor. However, for insulin, diuretics, and laxatives, it should be postponed after therapy.
• In case of having colds or sinusitis,  you should not enter the pressurized environment.
• For patients with wounds, dressing should be a gauze moistened with saline or Non-Oil Based Hydrogel
• Contact lenses should be removed first to prevent squeezing the eyeball.
• Removable dentures should be removed to prevent airway obstruction.
• Wear clean clothing as prepared by the hospital. Do not use other synthetic fabrics.
• Do not wear stockings, socks, including wigs, as they may contain certain substances and are a source of static electricity
• Do not wear metal jewelry such as glasses, rings, watches, as well as hearing devices.
• Do not carry any fuel materials that cause ignition, static electricity or heat such as books, lighters, cigarettes, matches, batteries, mobile phones, or essential oil bottles. Avoid using cosmetics such as lipsticks, body lotions, powders or hair gels in the barometric pressure regulator.

 

After Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment

To avoid being sick due to depressurization, after receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy, patients should behave as follows :

 

1.  Patients Undergoing Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment

     should refrain from traveling by plane or to high altitudes such as mountains during 24 hours after treatment

 

2.  Patients Undergoing Treatment For Diving-Related Illnesses

     such as depressurization or vascular bubble gas, should refrain from traveling by plane or traveling to high places such as mountains during 72 hours after treatment

 

 

 

 

 

Procedure of Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment

Before receiving treatment, the doctor will thoroughly assess the patient's physical condition to ensure safety and reduce possible complications.

 

• The patient must change into clothing as prepared by the hospital.
• The patient must lie down on a bed that can be slid into the Monoplace Chamber.
• The doctor or nurse will release 100% pure oxygen into the chamber and gradually increase the oxygen pressure for therapeutic effect. The patient may experience tinnitus during the early stage.
• The following are ways to adjust the pressure in the ear canal to reduce tympanic membrane compression:
  • close your mouth
  • cover your nose and swallow
  • close your mouth
  • cover your nose and blow
  • open and close your mouth
  • yawn and take a sip of water.

 

• A doctor or nurse will constantly monitor the patient's condition and communicate with the patient on the phone attached to the device.
• Patients can adjust their posture comfortably, watch television, or get a good sleep
• At the end of the specified time, the doctor or nurse will lower the atmospheric pressure in the chamber to the equivalent of normal atmospheric pressure and remove the patient from the machine.
• For outpatient cases, patient can get change and go home without the need for a hospital stay.

 

Duration of Treatment

It takes about 60-90 minutes per time. The number of sessions depends on the purpose of treatment and the patient's response to treatment.

 

Service

     You can get the service at the Diabetes Department by making an appointment at 1512 ext. 2110, 2119, Brain and Neurological Center ext. 2130, 2138, 2139