Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, also known as dry cell hyperbaric oxygen therapy, is an advanced medical treatment which involves patients breathing at 100 percent oxygen in a high-pressure container, usually attached to a compressor. Simply put, a hyperbaric chamber, also known as a dry cell hyperbaric chamber, is a long, narrow plastic tube with a sealed top. A thick fabric, similar to neoprene, is stretched inside the tube and the gas contained within it is exchanged between the air molecules. The exchange results in bubbles which increase in pressure as the bubbles move up and down the tube. The higher the pressure of the gas in the chamber, the higher the temperature of the surrounding air.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has many benefits, but potential side effects should be considered before implementation. Most hyperbaric chambers contain a humidifier in case some individuals are allergic to dust or airborne particles. A vaporizer is sometimes included along with the hyperbaric chamber in order to disperse the mist and odor throughout the entire room. Potential allergens include pollen, mold, mildew, dust mites, and animal dander. Some people may experience a skin rash or minor skin irritations after therapy. These side effects can usually be avoided by following recommended hyperbaric chamber maintenance procedures.
Many health spas and athletic clubs have been using hyperbaric chambers for years, because athletes experience much greater gains in athletic performance when they are exposed to hyperbaric conditions. Many athletes compare the oxygenation levels in their pool to that found in a hyperbaric chamber, and believe that they are able to train harder, longer, and more frequently because they are able to elicit increased blood flow and increase oxygen transport rates. When athletes begin to experience the positive physiological changes of deep water hypobaric conditioning, they often begin to use it as part of their training regimen. Other professional athletes begin to use hyperbaric chambers on a daily basis, and say that it helps them recover more quickly from injury, enhance their endurance and strength, and gives them a mental edge over their competitors.
Athletes and divers who are regularly exposed to high pressures will sometimes notice symptoms such as decompression sickness. This is a common problem among people who spend a great deal of time in a hyperbaric chamber and can be prevented through good cabin setup and practice. When compressed air is introduced into the chamber, it is important that the diver doesn't attempt to decompress the chamber on his own. Individuals who suffer from decompression sickness will experience symptoms such as nausea, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. These symptoms can subside once the person begins to return to their normal room temperature, but they can also return if the individual is placed in a dark, closed, and well ventilated area for extended periods of time.
The hyperbaric chamber has proven very effective in treating many injuries, and the treatment of wounds is just one of the many benefits of using the chamber. Many people choose to use the hyperbaric chamber for head injuries, but there are also cases where both therapy has been used successfully for open wounds and traumatic brain injuries. Injuries which are caused by falls, blunt force trauma, accidents, sports injuries, or traumatic brain injury are easily treatable with the technology of the hyperbaric chamber.
There are currently two types of hyperbaric chambers, which one can use in their home to treat various conditions and injuries. The first type is the dry hyperbaric chamber, which provides oxygen to just about any area that one would like. This treatment is usually only one part of a multi-treatment package. The second type of hyperbaric chamber which one can use is the wet hyperbaric chamber, which will provide much more oxygen to the body than a dry chamber.
One of the most commonly known and researched uses of the hyperbaric system is decompression sickness. The human body can sometimes experience decompression sickness when it is suffering from an injury, or it can be caused by being immobile for a period of time. The hyperbaric chambers have been known to help with this sickness, and patients have found that they are able to resume a lot of their regular activities after receiving one of these treatments. Many doctors and therapists utilize the hyperbaric chamber as a part of the healing process for their patients, and many individuals have found great relief in using the hyperbaric system for their health care needs.
A hyperbaric chamber can be used for many different purposes. Medical professionals are finding that this technology is very useful in providing wound care and other types of care to their patients. Hyperbaric but is currently being used for surgical wounds, to aid in the healing process, as well as to provide for recovery of patients who are experiencing some type of physical trauma. Hyperbaric but is one of the new technologies being developed for the field of wound care and other medical conditions.
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