Hyperbaric oxygen treatment is an advanced medical therapy which involves patients breathing at a high-than-usual atmospheric pressure inside a large-scale, sealed, closed-door chamber, known as a hyperbaric chamber, where the air pressure is 100 percent oxygen. In a sense, a hyperbaric chamber resembles a large pressurized envelope. The word "hyperbaric" derives from the high pressure of the chambers' contents, which is hyperbolic. The term was first used by Frank de Bono and John Draper in 1941 to describe the therapeutic effects of massive doses of oxygen, achieved by breathing pure oxygen in the chambers.
Hyperbaric chambers have various medical uses. Medical doctors often use them during surgical operations in order to minimize any unwanted physiological changes due to air pressure. During cardiac surgeries or conditions like asthma, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be extremely helpful. Patients with stroke also benefit from this type of therapy, due to the lack of contaminants affecting their bloodstreams. Hyperbaric chambers also prove useful during weight loss procedures, as it helps people lose body fat that is resistant to diet and exercise.
The most common benefit of hyperbaric chamber therapy is the prevention or reduction of decompression sickness, or the attack of chest tightness, asthma, bronchial obstruction, and/or increased blood pressure after minor or major surgery. It has also been found to be very effective in dealing with allergic reactions, such as hay fever, cataracts, and rhinitis. The normal saline content of the human body is remarkably similar to that found in seawater. Therefore, if an individual is exposed to seawater in a hyperbaric chamber, there is no threat of his body absorbing oxygen from the seawater.
This unique healing process is beneficial for a wide range of diseases, although patients suffering from severe illnesses are not normally candidates for hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Severe illnesses include acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and even serious diseases like cancer and leukemia. Severe infections are also treated by using the hyperbaric chamber, such as staph infections and those caused by viruses.
One of the primary purposes of using the hyperbaric chambers is to reduce the amount of oxygen that may need to reach the lungs of a patient who is not suited for this treatment. This may need to be done depending on the particular condition a patient may be suffering from. A person who suffers from asthma, for example, may need less oxygen than a healthy individual. As with any other type of treatment or procedure, individuals who are considered to be physically fit will usually be able to tolerate the different chamber pressures necessary for hyperbaric oxygen therapies.
There is no absolute way to determine when a patient is suited for hyperbaric chamber therapy. This is because the lungs of everyone are different and have varying needs. The doctors will use several factors, including age, physical health, and possible medical conditions, to determine whether or not the patient is a good candidate. Even then, a patient may still be unable to receive pure oxygen while in the chamber. If this occurs, doctors may recommend that the patient go back for traditional oxygen treatments.
Many people choose to undergo hyperbaric chambers as part of a recovery program after surgery or other types of major surgeries. Because these chambers help maintain the high oxygen levels needed to treat a patient's specific health problems, they are considered to be an excellent alternative to traditional surgery. Some patients even report being able to sleep through the treatments. People who suffer from serious medical conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, may also benefit from the treatments. They may also reduce the need for multiple surgeries, which can save a surgeon a lot of money.
The best news about hyperbaric chambers is the fact that there is no odor. This is because the water vapor is contained within the air in the chamber, so no scent of oxygen is emitted. Although it cannot be considered a sure thing, most patients claim to feel an increase in well-being and relaxation after each session. Many people who have undergone hyperbaric chamber treatments have found that they feel refreshed and healed almost immediately. Because of their ability to deliver high-pressure, pressurized air to the exact areas of the body where a patient needs treatment, hyperbaric medical facilities are fast becoming known across the world as a natural, painless way to improve physical health and even alleviate certain ailments.
Copyright © HyperbaricPros.com
