Hyperbaric chambers have been widely used in various experimental treatments as well as medical treatments and research studies in recent years. The use of hyperbaric chambers has shown signs of potential health benefits in a number of medical conditions and diseases. Some of these benefits include the treatment and prevention of the following: stroke, Alzheimer's, Lou Gehrig's disease, stroke, burns, dental problems, impotence and fertility in men. Many of these conditions and diseases are often fatal and render patients incapable of leading normal lives.
An individual's ability to think, reason, feel and think properly has a direct effect on their physical health. Brain damage from trauma or stroke can render an individual incapable of performing the most basic tasks of their life such as bathing, eating, and interacting with others. The use of hyperbaric chambers has shown promising results in the areas of cognitive rehabilitation and brain cell development. The oxygen levels within the chambers have been known to stimulate the growth of brain cells and increase learning abilities in non-stunned animals as well as humans.
Research studies have been conducted in several locations to determine if the hyperbaric chamber can be safely used as part of a patient's in-home hyperbaric medical care. Two different groups of participants were combined for a study to determine if hyperbaric conditions could be used as part of the medical community s health care team. The two groups involved were anesthesiology residents and anesthesiology advanced practice nurses. An initial study showed that while residents did not gain any significant medical benefit from hyperbaric chamber breathing, the advanced practice nurses were able to treat patients with a variety of different medical issues that would not have been treatable in a traditional clinical setting.
During the first test, eighty-two medical residents participated. Two different patients completed each session, one of which was a patient that had previously undergone spinal surgery. During this first session, the patient inhaled pure oxygen while seated in a chair that was equipped with a vapor inhaler and a supplemental oxygen supplement. While the patient was seated, the doctor monitored his or her vital signs using a special monitor. During this time, the doctor learned that the patient was responding well to the treatment.
During the second test, the eighty-two subjects were again monitored using a special monitor and the same four procedures were performed. During this second session, the sixty-two subjects began the same procedures as the first but were monitored using a special apparatus that provided continuous data. The monitor determined if the patient was showing symptoms of decompression sickness. The procedure then switched to the hyperbaric chamber. During the second session, there were no significant differences between the treatment group and the control group.
Preliminary data indicates that there are no health risks at this time. However, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has shown promise for the treatment of various medical conditions, including traumatic brain injury, sport injuries, strokes, heart disease, asthma, diabetic retinopathy, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The hyperbaric chamber also has been successful in treating various symptoms of decompression sickness. These conditions include lethargy, decreased ophthalmoplegia, decreased vision, increased sea level, increased sea and buoyancy, increased undersea fluid, and hyperbaric magnetic fields.
The medical treatment and possible healing processes to work by increasing the blood's buoyancy. This allows for increased blood flow throughout the body. With increased blood flow and oxygen levels in the body's cells, the body is then able to heal itself. As more oxygen and blood are delivered to damaged tissues, healing begins immediately.
Currently, there are four manufacturers offering hyperbaric chambers for home use. The manufacturer with the most clinical studies and testimonials is Hyperbaric Medical Equipment Inc., based in Escondido, California. The company's Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy System, or HPT, is the most popular and has received the approval of the FDA for home use. The other manufacturers are Altitudes Medical, Inc. in North Palm Desert, California; learmedics Inc., in Danvers, Massachusetts; and Ideal Health, Inc., in South Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. All of the manufacturers have the same type of hbot, a compressed-air generator powered by an oxygen gas source.
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