What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that is applied to the patient in a pressure chamber by intermittently ventilating 100% oxygen. HBOT is a modern and scientific treatment method supported by more than 6000 studies.
What is the pressure chamber? How is HBOT applied?
The pressure chamber is made of metal, which can be pressurized with air and it provides cabinets that provide 100% oxygen to people inside. During HBOT, the vast majority of patients normally breath 100% oxygen under 2-2.5 times the pressure of the atmospheric pressure we are in. There are windows on the sides of the pressure chamber, called the lumboz, and windows for the outside. In the pressure chamber there are seats for the patients to sit comfortably. The patients on the stretcher can also receive treatment in the lying position. HBOT is carried out under the supervision of a specialist doctor and medical staff.
How patients feel during treatment?
In the first minutes of treatment, called "diving", patients feel their pressure increase in their ears, just as they feel when landing on an airplane journey or downhill from high mountains. It tells how to equalize the pressure in the ears during the increased pressure of the disease. This is usually done simply by swallowing, or by closing the nose and blowing air. This is done only during the dive, until the treatment pressure. HBOT can be applied to patients of all ages. Patients enter the pressure room with special cotton clothes given to them.
How long does the treatment last?
A HBOT session varies according to the case, usually lasts 1.5 to 2 hours. Most of the patients receive one session of treatment per day. However, in some emergencies, the number of daily sessions can be up to four. The total number of sessions varies according to the disease.
Does treatment have side effects?
The most common side effect is the effect of pressure change on the ear and sinuses. This is not dangerous and can be avoided by learning pressure equalization methods. Other side effects are very rare and can be listed as oxygen poisoning, claustrophobia (fear of staying in a sheltered place) and transient myopia.
How does HBOT work?
The maximum level of oxygen in the patients plasma is dissolved and the oxygen to the tissue increases. With Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy;
- Increases the amount of oxygen dissolved in the plasma
- Oxygenation of hypoxic tissues is ensured.
- The reproduction of anaerobic bacteria is stopped.
- A synergistic effect with some antibiotics is achieved.
- Reduces edema by vasoconstriction.
- Prevents cytotoxic effects of carbon monoxide and hypoxia associated with cyanide poisoning.
- Leukocyte activation in the wound area is enhanced.
- It provides angiogenesis in the wound area.
- Stimulates connective tissue formation in the wound area.
In which diseases is HBOT used?
In the regulation on hyperbaric oxygen therapy, published by the Ministry of Health on August 1, 2001, the following diseases have been reported as HBOT indications for HBOT:
- Decompression sickness (stress)
- Air and gas embolism
- Carbon monoxide, cyanide poisoning, acute smoke inhalation,
- Gas gangrene
- Soft tissue necrotizing infections (subcutaneous, muscle, fascia, fascia)
- Crush injuries, compartment syndrome and other acute traumatic ischemia.
- Delayed wound healing (diabetic and non-diabetic).
- Chronic refractory osteomyelitis
- Radiation necrosis
- Holders of suspicious skin skulls and grafts
- Thermal burns
- Brain abscess
- Anoxic encephalopathy
- Sudden hearing loss
- Retinal artery occlusion
- Acute osteomyelitis of skull bones, sternum and vertebrae