Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that entails breathing in pure oxygen while lying in a pressurized chamber. The treatment offers a wide range of therapeutic benefits for various medical conditions. Some of the most commonly asked questions about hyperbaric treatment include:

How Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Work?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy works by increasing oxygen levels in the body. Your blood carries this oxygen throughout the body, infusing injured cells and stimulating your body’s natural healing processes. HBOT involves lying in a hyperbaric chamber as the air pressure increases two to three times higher than normal air pressure. The chamber is also filled with 100% pure oxygen. The increased pressure increases oxygen levels in the body and allows more dissolved oxygen to enter the tissues.

What Are the Benefits of HBOT?

HBOT can improve healing, prevent infections, stimulate the growth of blood vessels, and decrease inflammation. These benefits are achieved by increasing the levels of oxygen in oxygen-deprived tissues. This oxygen can displace harmful molecules and prevent the growth of anaerobic and aerobic bacteria. Along with stimulating the growth of new capillaries, excess oxygen stimulates the growth of more white blood cells. These cells help digest bacteria and fungi, further preventing infection.

What Conditions Can HBOT Treat?

The FDA has approved HBOT to treat a wide range of medical conditions, including decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning, and crush injuries. Aalto Hyperbaric is a freestanding hyperbaric center, so we can treat many conditions that other facilities cannot. This includes conditions such as Alzheimer’s, depression, and autism. Depending on the condition, HBOT may be used as the primary treatment or as an adjunctive therapy alongside other treatments.

Does Hyperbaric Treatment Have Any Side Effects?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is safe and non-invasive. The most common side effect is feeling pressure in the ears or sinuses. This sensation is similar to the feeling you experience when taking off in an airplane or driving up a mountain. Once the treatment is over, the pressure can equalize again. Other side effects include temporary lightheadedness or fatigue following treatment.

Does HBOT Require a Prescription?

The FDA classifies 100% pure oxygen as a drug. This means that to receive HBOT, you will need a written prescription from a physician. If you do not have a physician to write you a prescription, you can schedule an appointment with one of Aalto Hyperbaric’s physicians. If you are a good candidate for the treatment, one of our physicians will write you a prescription for the therapy.

How Do I Prepare for HBOT?

Aalto Hyperbaric provides patients with guidelines to help them prepare for their HBOT session. We ask patients who feel sick or have flu-like symptoms to reschedule their HBOT treatment. We do not recommend receiving treatment while sick. Before your treatment, we also recommend avoiding smoking, alcohol, caffeine, and carbonated drinks. These products may disrupt the absorption of oxygen or interfere with the healing benefits of hyperbaric treatment. You should avoid taking certain medications before treatment, including Bleomycin, Disruriram, Cisplatin, and Sulfamylon. Certain items, such as electronic devices, cosmetic products, and artificial hair, are not allowed in the chamber because they pose a fire risk. We will also provide you with 100% cotton clothing because static-like synthetic fibers and fabrics can pose a safety risk during treatment.

How Many Treatments Will I Need, and How Long Do Individual Sessions Last?

The number of treatments that you need and the length of each session depends on the condition we are treating you for. Sessions typically last between 60 and 120 minutes. Acute conditions, such as carbon monoxide poisoning, are usually treated in 1-2 sessions. Chronic conditions, such as chronic wounds, may require a minimum of 30 sessions. The benefits of hyperbaric oxygen increase over time, so undergoing a series of treatment sessions may yield the best results. 

What Type of Chamber Does Aalto Hyperbaric Use?

There are three types of hyperbaric chambers: multiplace chambers, hard-side monoplace chambers, and soft-side monoplace chambers. Aalto Hyperbaric uses hard-side Sechrist monoplace hyperbaric chambers. These are medical-grade chambers approved by the FDA to treat multiple medical conditions. Our chambers allow us to customize treatments to each patient’s individual needs. This usually results in better results and fewer treatments. Soft-side monoplace chambers were also designed to accommodate one person at a time, but they are not FDA-approved medical devices. This is because the chamber is unable to handle 100% oxygen and can only pressurize the air to 1.3 ATA. Our hard-sided chambers reach a pressure of 3.0 ATA. Multiplace chambers treat multiple people at a time and may use individual hoods or masks to deliver oxygen. These chambers are also FDA-approved but are not as effective as the monoplace chambers we use at Aalto Hyperbaric.

Contact Aalto Hyperbaric Today

Hyperbaric treatment is a safe and effective therapy that promotes healing and reduces inflammation. At Aalto Hyperbaric, we can treat a wide range of medical conditions, including off-label conditions such as dementia, anemia, and diabetes. Contact us today to learn more about hyperbaric oxygen therapy and its many benefits.