Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric )xygen Therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment which enhances the body’s natural healing process by inhalation of 100% oxygen in a total body chamber, where atmospheric pressure is increased and controlled.  It is used for a wide variety of treatments usually as a part of an overall medical care plan.

Under normal circumstances, oxygen is transported throughout the body only by red blood cells. With HBOT, oxygen is dissolved into all of the body’s fluids, the plasma, the central nervous system fluids, the lymph, and the bone and can be carried to areas where circulation is diminished or blocked.  In this way, extra oxygen can reach all of the damaged tissues and the body can support its own healing process.  The increased oxygen greatly enhances the ability of white blood cells to kill bacteria and reduces swelling.  It is a simple, non-invasive and painless treatment. It has also been shown that HBOT mobilises the body’s own stem cells and leads to angiogenesis or the development of new blood vessels in areas where healing is required.

It has long been known that healing many areas of the body cannot take place without appropriate oxygen levels in the tissue.  Most illnesses and injuries occur and often linger, at the cellular or tissue level.  In many cases, such as circulatory problems; non-healing wounds; and strokes, adequate oxygen cannot reach the damaged area and the body’s natural healing ability is unable to function properly.  Hyperbaric oxygen therapy provides this extra oxygen naturally and with minimal side effects.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves the quality of life of the patient in many areas when standard medicine is not working.  Many conditions such as stroke, cerebral palsy, head injuries, and chronic fatigue have responded favourably to HBOT.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy FAQs - Image of patients in chamber hyperbaric oxygen is used to treat all conditions which benefit from increased tissue oxygen availability, as well as infections where it can be used for its antibiotic properties, either as the primary therapy, or in conjunction with other drugs.

***In hospital HBOT centres the following list of conditions are treated:

• Air or Gas Embolism
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
• Compartment Syndrome/Crush Injury/Other Traumatic Ischemias
• Decompression Sickness (Bends)
• Diabetic and Selected Wounds
• Exceptional Blood Loss (Anemia)
• Gas Gangrene
• Intracranial Abscess
• Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection
• Osteoradionecrosis and Radiation Tissue Damage
• Osteomyelitis (Refractory)
• Skin Grafts and (Compromised) Flaps
• Thermal Burns

***The following conditions are off-label and are not covered by standard health insurance at present despite accumulating evidence of benefit:

• Alzheimer’s
• Autism
• Cerebral Palsy
• Lyme Disease
• Migraine
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Near Drowning
• Recovery from Plastic Surgery
• Sports Injuries
• Stroke
• Traumatic Brain Injury

There are basically two types of chambers: monoplace and multiplace.

• Monoplace chambers are designed to treat a single person pressurised with 100% oxygen.
• Multiplace chambers are designed to hold several people at one time and oxygen is delivered through a mask or a hood.

Only clean cotton clothing is allowed in the chamber. No cosmetics, perfumes, hair preparations, deodorants, wigs or jewellery are allowed in the chamber. The technician or doctor needs to know if any medications, including non-prescription drugs,  are being taken by the patient, and patients are advised not to take alcohol or carbonated drinks for four hours prior to treatment.  In most cases, patients should give up smoking and any other tobacco products during their treatment period, as they interfere with the body’s ability to transport oxygen.

HBOT is administered in a private setting in a state-of-the-art, monoplace chamber of clear acrylic. This allows our trained technicians to closely monitor the patient and permits the patient to readily see outside the chamber.  Patients are in constant view and communication with the attending technician via an intercom or can read or just rest.

The most common side effect is barotrauma to the ears and sinuses caused by the change in pressure. To minimise this risk, patients learn techniques to promote adequate clearing of the ears during compression or tubes may be inserted in the ears. Sometimes dental pain can occur if there are old crowns or fillings that have allowed ingress of air beneath. So if dental pain ensues during compression just let the technician know and the pace of compression will be reduced or limited as necessary.  Occasionally some patients may experience changes in their vision during their treatment period. These changes are usually minor and temporary.  A rare side effect is oxygen toxicity which is caused by administering too much oxygen.

• If you have any cold or flu symptoms, fever, sinus or nasal congestion, or chest congestion.
• If there is a possibility that you may be pregnant.
• If there has been a change in any of your medications.
• If you have skipped a meal prior to your HBO treatment.
• If you are diabetic and did not take your insulin prior to your treatment.
• If you have any concerns or anxiety.

When cells in the brain die, either from trauma or lack of oxygen, blood plasma leaks out into surrounding brain tissue causing swelling and reducing blood flow.  These otherwise normal cells go dormant because they can’t function without the appropriate amount of oxygen.  HBOT dramatically increases the oxygen carried in the blood plasma, making oxygen available to heal damaged capillary walls, preventing plasma leakage and reducing swelling.  As the swelling decreases,  blood flow can be restored to the dormant tissue (neovascularization) and these cells then have the potential to function again.

In CP and TBI patients, some of the injured brain tissues may be “dormant” and non-functioning. HBOT can stimulate these “dormant” tissues and return them to more normal function.  In young children, cognitive function and spasticity can be improved.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, used in conjunction with other therapies, ensures the best recovery possible for children with cerebral palsy and traumatic brain injury.

Patients are accepted either by self-referral or by physician referral. Patients are evaluated by our staff and treated based on their specific needs.  To schedule an evaluation, please call us at 061 396999.