Hyperbaric Chambers have many medical benefits in helping a variety of conditions. It has been widely used as a treatment to reduce depression and anxiety in clinical settings. It can also be used to improve memory, concentration and mood. These chambers have also been used to treat acute pain and swelling, as well as other conditions like infections and wounds. The mechanism of action is an accelerated suction of air through a very shallow tube into the patient (Increase of oxygen level in the blood) that simulates a fast descent of air from high to low pressure inside the patient's body. For these reasons, hyperbaric chambers are often used in burn units and emergency rooms as a treatment for minor injuries.
However, there are several limitations of a portable hyperbaric chamber in terms of its use in the treatment of patients with chronic diseases. One of these is contamination of air by athletes who are constantly exposed to high levels of oxygen in sport events. Athletes are particularly susceptible to compartment syndrome when taking part in intensive training that involves repetitive movements of the body. The risk of compartment syndrome increases with increased time spent in suctioning and the higher level of oxygen contaminants in the air.
As well, chamber usage during sports events results in the generation of higher levels of carbon monoxide in the surrounding air. This gas has the potential to create confusion, disorientation and other physical complications in susceptible individuals. When athletes are transported in a portable hyperbaric chamber, the exposure to this gas could be mitigated by use of special closed chamber helmets. In such situation, it could be argued that the use of the chamber would enhance the athletes' physical capabilities rather than hamper them.
Another limitation of a portable hyperbaric chamber relates to the methods for determining the relative humidity of the surrounding air. Because the chambers operate at very high pressure and very low temperatures, they produce high humidity. When air temperatures rise above the humidification threshold, condensation occurs, which results in water vapor. It is not uncommon for portable hyperbaric chambers to feature automatic water mist generators. This water mist is designed to act as a water blanket when placed over the body to raise the humidity in the air. Although most professionals consider this practice appropriate for the treatment of hypoxia-induced symptoms, others may argue that the negative consequences of moisture seeping into the lungs and causing asthmatic and other respiratory reactions outweigh the benefits.
A third limitation relates to the amount of oxygen that can be infused into the body. Because the chambers use a pressurized atmosphere to maintain a steady supply of pressurized air, it is not possible to infuse oxygen into the body at a pure enough level to trigger an immediate recovery. Most professional medical experts agree that the effects of a portable hyperbaric chamber can be mitigated by topping off the supply with supplemental oxygen. This can be done through the implementation of a supplemental oxygen supply system, which can be added to the chamber or can be provided via a connected oxygen tank.
The fourth limitation of a portable hyperbaric chamber relates to the speed with which certain physiological responses occur. Because the chambers contain very high pressures and extremely low temperatures, there is a reduced ability for the body to effectively remove waste products, which are usually generated during physical exercise. The reduction in the ability to remove waste products creates a situation where the lungs become optimized for burning fat and protein, while the heart and lungs become primarily focused on maintaining the blood pressure at a normal or low level. This can lead to the accelerated build up of lactic acid in the muscles, which can further compromise recovery after a competition or other physical activity. The accelerated development of lactic acid is also related to the oxygen environment in the chambers, which forces the athlete to exert more effort to maintain an acceptable heart rate.
The fifth limitation of a chamber of compressed air relates to the effect of contaminants on the oxygen in the chamber. Although the majority of commercial oxygen products are made from pure oxygen, there are some naturally occurring compounds that can reduce the purity of the product. As well, many athletes have been known to develop the habit of excessively inhaling, which can greatly reduce the purity of the oxygen that is being delivered to the body. The potential for these problems is one of the reasons that medical professionals recommend that individuals only use portable hyperbaric chambers when absolutely necessary and for the purpose of emergency situations. It is also important to remember that the purity of the compressed oxygen varies between manufacturers, as each company tends to concentrate its efforts on producing the purest products possible.
The final limitations of a portable hyperbaric chamber relate to the environmental conditions that can affect its use. Commercial chambers are often designed to work with temperatures of minus six hundred degrees, which is one of the lowest ambient temperatures possible. Because these chambers are designed to operate at such high levels of atmospheric pressure, it is likely that they will require frequent changes of the ambient pressure in order to maintain a consistent pressure. For this reason, the portable hyperbaric chamber might not be suitable for applications where frequent changes in pressure are needed, including applications in the mining, construction, and agricultural fields.
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