Treatments Hyperbaric medicine

1 treatments

1.1 protocol
1.2 home , out-patient clinic treatment
1.3 possible complications , concerns
1.4 effects of pressure

treatments

initially, hbot developed treatment diving disorders involving bubbles of gas in tissues, such decompression sickness , gas embolism, still considered definitive treatment these conditions. chamber treats decompression sickness , gas embolism increasing pressure, reducing size of gas bubbles , improving transport of blood downstream tissues. high concentrations of oxygen in tissues beneficial in keeping oxygen-starved tissues alive, , have effect of removing nitrogen bubble, making smaller until consists of oxygen, re-absorbed body. after elimination of bubbles, pressure gradually reduced atmospheric levels. hyperbaric chambers used animals, race horses recovery worth great deal owners. used treat dogs , cats in pre- , post-surgery treatment strengthen systems prior surgery , accelerate healing post surgery.

protocol

the slang term, @ facilities, cycle of pressurization inside hbot chamber dive . hbot treatment longer-term conditions series of 20 40 dives, or compressions. these dives last hour , can administered via hard, high-pressure chamber or soft, low-pressure chamber—the major difference being per-dive dose of oxygen. many conditions quite lower dose, lower cost-per-hour, soft chambers.

emergency hbot decompression illness follows treatment schedules laid out in treatment tables. cases employ recompression 2.8 bars (41 psi) absolute, equivalent of 18 metres (60 ft) of water, 4.5 5.5 hours casualty breathing pure oxygen, taking air breaks every 20 minutes reduce oxygen toxicity. extremely serious cases resulting deep dives, treatment may require chamber capable of maximum pressure of 8 bars (120 psi), equivalent of 70 metres (230 ft) of water, , ability supply heliox breathing gas.

u.s. navy treatment charts used in canada , united states determine duration, pressure, , breathing gas of therapy. used tables table 5 , table 6. in uk royal navy 62 , 67 tables used.

the undersea , hyperbaric medical society (uhms) publishes report compiles latest research findings , contains information regarding recommended duration , pressure of longer-term conditions.

home , out-patient clinic treatment


an example of mild portable hyperbaric chamber. 40-inch-diameter (1,000 mm) chamber 1 of larger chambers available home.

there several sizes of portable chambers, used home treatment. these referred mild personal hyperbaric chambers , reference lower pressure (compared hard chambers) of soft-sided chambers. food , drug administration (fda) approved chambers use room air available in usa , may go 4.4 pounds per square inch (psi) above atmospheric pressure, equals 1.3 atmospheres absolute (ata), equivalent depth of 10 feet of sea water.

in us, these mild personal hyperbaric chambers categorized fda class ii medical devices , requires prescription in order purchase 1 or take treatments. personal hyperbaric chambers fda approved reach 1.3 ata. while hyperbaric chamber distributors , manufacturers cannot supply chamber in form of elevated oxygen delivery system, physician can write prescription combine 2 modalities, long there prescription both hyperbarics , oxygen. common option (but not approved fda) patients choose acquire oxygen concentrator typically delivers 85–96% oxygen breathing gas.

because of high circulation of air through chamber, total concentration of oxygen in chamber never exceeds 25% can increase risk of fire. oxygen never fed directly soft chambers rather introduced via line , mask directly patient. fda approved oxygen concentrators human consumption in confined areas used hbot regularly monitored purity (+/- 1%) , flow (10 15 liters per minute outflow pressure). audible alarm sound if purity ever drops below 80%. personal hyperbaric chambers use 120 volt or 220 volt outlets. ranging in size 21 inches 40 inches in diameter these chambers measure between 84 in (7 ft) 120 in (10 ft) in length.

the soft chambers approved fda treatment of altitude sickness, commonly used other off-label purposes.

possible complications , concerns

there risks associated hbot, similar diving disorders. pressure changes can cause squeeze or barotrauma in tissues surrounding trapped air inside body, such lungs, behind eardrum, inside paranasal sinuses, or trapped underneath dental fillings. breathing high-pressure oxygen may cause oxygen toxicity. temporarily blurred vision can caused swelling of lens, resolves in 2 4 weeks.

there reports cataract may progress following hbot. rare side effect has been blindness secondary optic neuritis (inflammation of optic nerve).

effects of pressure

patients inside chamber may notice discomfort inside ears pressure difference develops between middle ear , chamber atmosphere. can relieved ear clearing using valsalva maneuver or other techniques. continued increase of pressure without equalising may cause ear drums rupture, resulting in severe pain. pressure in chamber increases further, air may become warm.

to reduce pressure, valve opened allow air out of chamber. pressure falls, patient’s ears may squeak pressure inside ear equalizes chamber. temperature in chamber fall. speed of pressurization , de-pressurization can adjusted each patient s needs.