The hyperbaric chamber, also called hyperbaric oxygen therapy, is a treatment that relies on breathing large amounts of oxygen in a place with higher atmospheric pressure than in the normal environment, when this happens, the body absorbs more oxygen into the lungs and helps improve blood circulation.stimulating the growth of healthy cells and fighting bacteria.
There are two types of hyperbaric chamber, one for the exclusive use of one person and one for use by several people at the same time, these rooms are located in private clinics and are available in SUS hospitals in certain situations, for example for the treatment of diabetic foot.
- It is important to know that this type of procedure does not yet have scientific evidence and there are not enough studies to cure diseases such as diabetes.
- Cancer or autism.
- However some doctors may suggest this type of treatment when other treatments do not work.
Body tissues need oxygen to function properly, and when an injury occurs in some of these tissues, more oxygen is needed for repair. The hyperbaric chamber offers more oxygen in these situations when the body needs to recover from any injury, improving healing and fighting infections..
In this way, it can be used to treat various diseases such as
This type of treatment is prescribed by the doctor in combination with other medicines and therefore it is important not to give up conventional treatment, in addition, the duration of treatment with the hyperbaric chamber depends on the extent of the wounds and the severity of the disease, but the doctor may recommend up to 30 sessions of this therapy.
Treatment with a hyperbaric chamber can be indicated by any doctor and can be done in a hospital or clinic.Hospitals and clinics may have different hyperbaric chamber devices and oxygen can be administered through suitable masks or helmets or directly into the air chamber space.
To perform the session in a hyperbaric chamber, the person lies down or sits breathing deeply for 2 hours and a doctor may indicate more than one session depending on the disease to be treated.
During treatment inside the hyperbaric chamber, it is possible to feel pressure in the ear, as happens inside the plane, for this it is important to perform a chewing movement to improve this sensation and yet it is important to warn the doctor if you have claustrophobia, because due to the duration of the session, fatigue and discomfort can occur.Understand claustrophobia.
In addition, to achieve this type of therapy, certain precautions are necessary and not to insert flammable products into the chamber, such as lighters, battery-powered appliances, deodorants or petroleum products.
Treatment by hyperbaric chamber poses little health risk
In some rarer cases, the hyperbaric chamber can cause seizures due to the large amount of oxygen in the brain.Other side effects may include a ruptured eardrum, vision problems and a pneumothorax which is the intake of oxygen out of the lung.
It is necessary to inform the doctor in case of discomfort during, or even after, the hyperbaric chamber.
The hyperbaric chamber is contraaddicted in some cases, for example in people who have recently undergone ear surgery, who have a cold or fever; however, people with other types of lung diseases such as asthma and COPD should inform their doctor because they are at increased risk for pneumothorax.
It is also important to inform your doctor of the use of medications on an ongoing basis, as they may influence hyperbaric chamber treatment, for example, the use of drugs manufactured during chemotherapy can lead to complications, so the use of the hyperbaric chamber should always be evaluated by the doctor.