Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases oxygen levels in the blood and tissues, enabling successful outcomes in many medical conditions. Our clinic is the newest one of the hyperbaric chambers in our country and is the only clinic with both monoplace and multiplace hyperbaric chamber.
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a modern, evidence-based treatment method in which pure (100%) oxygen is intermittently administered via a mask or within the chamber at pressures higher than one atmosphere. Its effectiveness has been demonstrated in numerous scientific studies. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases oxygen levels in the blood and tissues, enabling successful outcomes in many medical conditions.
How is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Applied?
After patients enter the hyperbaric chamber, the pressure of the environment is gradually and carefully increased in a controlled manner. Patients wear their masks before or when the planned treatment pressure is reached and they start to breathe pure (100%) oxygen. In some special conditions, other breathing apparatuses such as a hood or a tube connected to the trachea are used instead of a mask. At the end of the treatment, the chamber pressure is decreased in a gradual and controlled manner, finishing the treatment. In an emergency, our patients can be removed from the hyperbaric chamber within minutes.
How is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Planned?
The total number of sessions and the frequency of treatment can vary for each patient. After patients are evaluated, a treatment is planned and the anticipated number of sessions and their frequency are communicated. Treatment time for each session takes generally 90-120 minutes and this time can go up to 6 hours in some conditions like decompression sickness which require emergency treatment. One or more sessions can be applied in a day. Some patients can heal after a few sessions and be discharged. In some diseases, treatment can be applied up to 80 sessions.
What Are The Expected Benefits Of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy works through multiple mechanisms. The treatment allows a much higher amount of oxygen to dissolve in the blood, body fluids and tissues and increase the amount of oxygen delivered to the tissues.
- As tissue oxygenation increases, tissue edema (swelling) decreases and its harmful effects are reduced. Additionally, it prevents the growth of some bacteria and enhances the effectiveness of antibiotics and the ability of immune cells to fight infections.
- It supports wound healing by reducing inflammation in damaged tissue and increasing the formation of new blood vessels and connective tissue.
- In conditions such as decompression sickness or air and gas embolism, it helps reduce gas bubbles in body fluids and tissues, deliver oxygen to the areas blocked by bubbles and restores blood flow to the tissues.
- The multifaceted effects achieved with hyperbaric oxygen therapy provide a distinct basis and rationale for its use in each specific condition or patient.
What are Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Hyperbaric Chambers and Their Types?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be applied in monoplace or multiplace chambers, allowing patients to breathe oxygen in a pressurized environment. Our clinic is the newest one of the hyperbaric chambers in our country and is the only clinic with both monoplace and multiplace hyperbaric chamber.
Monoplace Hyperbaric Chambers
- In monoplace chambers, the patient can receive treatment either by breathing oxygen from the pressurized chamber atmosphere or by inhaling oxygen through a mask while the chamber is pressurized with air.
- The most important advantages of monoplace chambers are considered patient-specific treatment, isolation and the fact that when pressurized with oxygen, there is no need to wear a mask.
- Our monoplace chamber is made entirely of acrylic, a transparent material strong enough to withstand high pressure.
Multiplace Hyperbaric Chambers
- In multiplace chambers; the chamber is pressurized with air and patients breathe oxygen through a mask or hood.
- The most important advantages of multiplace chambers are considered their ability to reach higher pressures, accommodate patients requiring intensive care or close monitoring and provide a larger space, which makes claustrophobia rarely an issue.
- Our multiplace chamber has the capacity to accommodate the treatment of up to ten patients simultaneously.
Our patients can be monitored visually during the entire treatment session and audibly through a device-mounted sound system. Our hyperbaric chambers are manufactured with the latest technology and all components used have been approved by certified organizations; prioritizing patient safety, health and comfort.
During the treatment process, patients and the system are continuously monitored by automatic sensors. Treatments are carried out safely with camera, audio monitoring and warning systems. The regular monitoring and maintenance of our hyperbaric chambers are consistently performed by our technical staff.
What Needs To Be Done Before Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
- Everyone scheduled to undergo hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be examined by diving physician and hyperbaric medicine specialist.
- The existing conditions and the status of any chronic illnesses are important for patients evaluated before treatment.
- For clinically suitable patients, lung x-ray is requested and if no risks are detected, they are taken to treatment.
- If any potentially risky conditions are detected during treatment, the patient may be consulted with the relevant departments or referred for further examination.
What Needs To Be Done During Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Patients are taken to treatment having taken their medications without disrupting their diet, removed all jewelry, flammable materials and electronic devices and dressed in the treatment clothes. Patients entering the hyperbaric chamber for oxygen therapy feel the pressure increase during the first minutes of the session, which is named descend, as a fullness in their ears, similar to the sensation experienced during an airplane landing. During this time, patients are instructed to swallow or perform certain taught motions to equalize the pressure in their ears and relieve any discomfort. Patients are informed in detail about how to perform these easily.
During the treatment, oxygen is administered intermittently to protect patients from the potential side effects of oxygen. It is requested that patient is awake and active. Ensuring that the oxygen mask fits properly on the face without any leaks helps maintain effective breathing during treatment and allows for easy monitoring of the patient’s condition if needed.
What Are Side Effects Of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
- The most common side effect during hyperbaric oxygen therapy is barotrauma caused by pressure changes. Among these barotraumas, middle ear barotrauma is the most common but it usually heals quickly without causing any lasting damage.
- Other side effects like the stimulatory effect of oxygen on the nervous system (oxygen toxicity), pneumothorax (lung collapse) or temporary myopia, are very rare.
- Patients are examined and evaluated with necessary tests for possible side effects before the treatment.
- With close monitoring of patients during sessions and safe treatment environments, severe side effects are very rare.