Hyperbaric chambers are used for a wide variety of purposes in medicine and dentistry. Research scientists use them to study the tissues and cells of all kinds of organisms and even in living human beings. They are also used to help burn patients, paralyzed victims, and sickle cell disease sufferers. A hyperbaric oxygen chamber is designed to deliver hyperbaric oxygen therapies which are different from those found in normal oxygen chambers. These chambers are used to deliver oxygen molecules into a specific and predetermined area of the body which has difficulty receiving normal oxygen.
One of the most popular uses of hyperbaric chambers is the treatment of tissue damage, such as that associated with severe burns. The treatments kill off the harmful bacteria and microorganisms in a particular area and replace them with healthy tissue. The high oxygen levels also encourage the development of new tissue. This is why it is commonly used in burn and trauma treatments.
In addition, hyperbaric chambers are frequently employed to promote healing in the dental profession. Dentists use them to improve the healing process after a dental procedure to avoid additional dental work. The treatments are similar to those used in many medical procedures, including suction, laser, and ultrasound therapies. The only difference is that they are pressurized instead of subjected to high pressure like the latter treatments.
The body also benefits from hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The blood is pumped through the treatment chamber at a faster rate due to increased blood flow. This increased blood flow increases the oxygen toxicity level. Hyperbaric chamber treatments can also help reduce blood platelet adhesion, which is known to cause bleeding in the body.
The FDA has regulated the production and circulation of oxygen in personal hyperbaric chambers since 1990. The production of hyperbaric chambers and pressurized air still fall into the category of "cosmetic" therapy, because no treatment has yet demonstrated health benefit for all but those who have heart or oxygen intolerance conditions. However, the FDA has threatened to ban the production and circulation of pressurized pure oxygen because the technology is not yet prove to be effective. If the FDA follows through, cosmetic chamber manufacturers could be out of business. Currently, there is no definitive evidence that hyperbaric chambers improve oxygen toxicity or any other disease.
Some patients with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBT) have experienced allergic reactions. Because pure oxygen is present, some people are at risk of experiencing anaphylactic shock if the therapy is administered incorrectly. The American Heart Association and the American Medical Association both discourage the use of hyperbaric chambers to treat patients with chronic diseases. However, these associations recognize that there are rare cases when hyperbaric oxygen therapy may help patients with respiratory conditions.
The hyperbaric chamber treatment for decompression sickness has not been proven to be effective in all patients. Hyperbaric water jets are generally used to treat patients with mild to moderate hyperbaric chamber syndrome, and there have been few published case studies documenting the use of hyperbaric chamber therapy for decompression sickness. Overall, the evidence so far indicates that the safety of hyperbaric chamber therapy is similar to that of therapeutic compression dressings. However, researchers continue to work on the problem of pressurizing the air in the chamber. Scientists are also examining the potential use of hyperbaric chambers for the treatment of traumatic brain injury victims.
One published study noted a reduction in postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients who underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The study, which was funded by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, also documented improvements in neurological functions in patients who underwent the treatment. Further studies are currently underway. The US government has allocated funds for additional studies to test the effects of hyperbaric chambers in patients with various medical conditions.
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