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The Patients Preparation for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Only clean cotton clothing is allowed in the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy chamber. No cosmetics, perfumes, hair preparations, deodorants, wigs or jewelry are allowed in the chamber. The technician needs to know if any medications; including non-prescription drugs, are being taken by the patient, and patients are advised not to take alcohol or carbonated drinks for four hours prior to treatment. In most cases, patients should give up smoking and any other tobacco products during their treatment period, as they interfere with the body's ability to transport oxygen. Other information required prior to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is:

• If the patient has any cold or flu symptoms, fever, sinus or nasal congestion, or chest congestion.
• If the patient is or possibility pregnant.
• If the patient has recently changed in any medications.
• If the patient has skipped a meal prior Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.
• If the patient is diabetic and has not insulin prior to treatment.
• If the patient has any concerns or anxiety.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Side Effects

The most common side effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is baro-trauma to the ears and sinuses caused by the change in pressure. To minimize this side effect, patients learn techniques to promote adequate clearing of the ears during compression or tubes may be inserted in the ears. Occasionally some patients may experience changes in their vision during their treatment period. These changes are usually minor and temporary. A rare side effect is oxygen toxicity, which is caused by administering too much oxygen.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy General Treatments

Anemia/Blood Loss: In cases where a patient can't accept a blood transfusion for medical or religious reasons, sufficient oxygen delivery (via red blood cells) might be compromised. Hyperbaric treatment increases the oxygen content of existing red blood cells.

Air or Gas Embolism: This is similar to the bends, when air or gas bubbles enter arteries or veins, reducing blood flow and affecting oxygen circulation.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Carbon monoxide (CO), a colorless, odorless gas, is a byproduct of combustion. It binds to red blood cells, blocking delivery of oxygen to the body. Hyperbaric oxygen accelerates the clearance of CO from the body, restoring oxygen delivery and preventing toxic effects on the central nervous system and blood vessels.

Gas Gangrene: This bacterial infection eats away soft tissues, releases toxins into the blood stream and inhibits the body's defense mechanisms. These bacteria prefer low-oxygen concentrations. High doses of oxygen via hyperbaric therapy inhibit bacteria and toxin production.

Crush Injuries: Complications of crush injuries, such as from motor vehicle accidents, falls and gun shots, are very frequent. By increasing oxygen delivery to injured tissues, hyperbaric treatments reduce swelling, improve healing and help fight infection.

Problem Wounds: Wounds may fail to respond to standard care because of low oxygen levels and impaired circulation. Foot ulcers in diabetics are one such problem. By increasing oxygen levels within the wound tissues, hyperbaric therapy promotes healing.

Intracranial Abscess: A sinus infection or bone infection of the skull may form an abscess within the skull or brain. Antibiotics may be ineffective and white blood cells require a minimum oxygen level to kill bacteria. Hyperbaric treatment provides oxygen for white blood cells and inhibits bacteria that need low oxygen levels to grow.

Soft Tissue Infections: These are serious infections -- in which tissue is dying -- that may be complicated by conditions such as diabetes or vascular disease. While primary treatments are removing the infected tissue and administering antibiotics, hyperbaric oxygen may inhibit bacteria from growing and enhance the ability of white blood cells to kill bacteria.

Bone Infections: Osteomyelitis, infection of the bone, that does not respond to standard treatment may benefit from hyperbaric oxygen. It inhibits bacterial growth, increases the killing power of white blood cells and enhances the effects of some antibiotics.

Radiation Necrosis: Chronic complications of radiation therapy used to treat cancer may result from scarring and narrowing of the blood vessels. Hyperbaric treatment allows more oxygen to reach these damaged areas and helps prevent tissue from dying for lack of blood and oxygen flow. It is most often used in the head and neck areas.

Skin Grafts: The success of transferred skin grafts or flaps (which might include skin, deeper tissue, muscle and bone) is largely dependent on sufficient oxygen supply to the affected area. Hyperbaric treatment can be used to saturate the area with oxygen before and after grafting.

Burns: Hyperbaric therapy is sometimes used to treat burns to the hands, face or groin area, or for deep second-degree and third-degree burns that cover more than 20% of the patient's body. Hyperbaric oxygen reduces swelling, limits progression of the burn injury (which continues 3-4 days after the initial injury) and may diminish lung damage from inhalation of heat and smoke.

We are located at: Patients Medical PC, 800 Second Avenue, Suite 900 (Between 42nd & 43rd Street), Manhattan, New York, NY 10017.

 

Oxygenics®

60 tablets Our Price: $23.50