Our body’s tissues need oxygen to function. Although we breathe in oxygen from the atmosphere it is often not enough to provide all our tissues with the right concentration of oxygen needed for proper functioning and that is where hyperbaric chamber comes into the picture. A hyperbaric chamber allows patients to breathe in 100% oxygen which promotes general wellbeing. In this article, we would look at how a hyperbaric chamber works and the risks associated with it.

What is hyperbaric chamber?

A hyperbaric chamber is a pressurized enclosure in which individuals breathe in higher-than-normal levels of oxygen. This medical device is used in hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), a treatment that involves delivering 100% oxygen at pressures greater than atmospheric pressure.

The elevated pressure within the chamber enables the lungs to absorb a greater amount of oxygen. This increased oxygen supply to the body’s tissues can aid in healing processes and combat certain infections. However, excessive oxygen exposure may lead to adverse effects on the body.

HBOT is commonly used to treat conditions such as decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning, non-healing wounds, certain infections, and other medical conditions where increased oxygen levels can promote healing and tissue repair. During a hyperbaric oxygen therapy session, the individual enters the chamber and breathes pure oxygen while the pressure is increased to levels higher than sea level atmospheric pressure.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees the regulation of both the oxygen utilized in HBOT and the hyperbaric chambers themselves, which typically come in the form of either single-person tubes or larger rooms accommodating multiple individuals.

How does Hyperbaric chamber work?

Hyperbaric chambers work by creating a controlled environment of increased atmospheric pressure and delivering pure oxygen to individuals undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). They do this in three simple steps.

1. Pressurization: in this step the hyperbaric chambers are sealed and pressurized using specialized equipment. This pressurization increases the air pressure inside the chamber to levels higher than standard atmospheric pressure at sea level. The pressure can be adjusted according to the specific requirements of the therapy and the medical condition being treated.
2. Oxygen Delivery: Once the chamber is pressurized, individuals inside the chamber breathe pure oxygen through a mask or hood. The oxygen is delivered at higher-than-normal atmospheric pressure levels, typically 1.5 to 3 times greater than sea level pressure. Breathing pure oxygen under pressure allows for greater oxygen absorption by the lungs and saturation of the bloodstream with oxygen.
3. Transportation of Oxygen: The oxygen-rich blood is then circulated throughout the body, delivering increased oxygen levels to tissues and organs. This enhanced oxygenation promotes cellular function, tissue repair, and regeneration. It also helps reduce inflammation and supports the body’s natural healing processes.

Possible benefits of hyperbaric chambers

Hyperbaric chambers offer a range of therapeutic benefits, primarily through hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), which involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment. Some potential therapeutic benefits of hyperbaric chambers include:

1. Enhanced wound healing: HBOT promotes the formation of new blood vessels and stimulates the release of growth factors, which can accelerate the healing of chronic wounds, such as diabetic ulcers, pressure sores, and non-healing surgical wounds.
2. Treatment of decompression sickness: Hyperbaric chambers are used to treat divers suffering from decompression sickness, also known as “the bends,” by quickly increasing pressure to reduce nitrogen gas bubbles in the bloodstream and tissues.
3. Reduced inflammation: HBOT has anti-inflammatory effects, which can help reduce swelling and inflammation associated with various medical conditions, such as traumatic brain injury, inflammatory bowel disease, and arthritis.
4. Improved oxygenation of ischemic tissues: HBOT increases the amount of dissolved oxygen in the bloodstream, improving oxygen delivery to tissues with compromised blood flow, such as those affected by stroke, peripheral arterial disease, and radiation injury.
5. Management of carbon monoxide poisoning: HBOT rapidly eliminates carbon monoxide from the bloodstream by increasing the partial pressure of oxygen, thereby reducing the risk of long-term neurological damage associated with carbon monoxide poisoning.
6. Enhanced recovery from radiation injury: HBOT can mitigate tissue damage caused by radiation therapy for cancer by promoting tissue oxygenation, reducing inflammation, and stimulating tissue repair mechanisms.
7. Treatment of certain infections: HBOT can inhibit the growth of anaerobic bacteria and enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics, making it useful in treating infections such as gas gangrene, necrotizing soft tissue infections, and osteomyelitis.
8. Support for neurological conditions: HBOT has shown promise in improving neurological function and reducing symptoms in conditions such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, and autism spectrum disorder.
9. Sports injury recovery: Hyperbaric chambers are used by athletes to accelerate recovery from sports-related injuries, reduce muscle soreness, and enhance performance by increasing oxygen delivery to muscles and tissues.
10. Anti-aging and wellness: Some proponents suggest that HBOT may have anti-aging effects by promoting cellular regeneration, reducing oxidative stress, and improving mitochondrial function, leading to improved overall health and vitality.

What are the risks associated with hyperbaric chambers

While hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) administered in hyperbaric chambers is generally considered safe when performed by trained healthcare professionals, there are some risks and potential complications associated with the treatment. These include:

1. Barotrauma: Changes in pressure during HBOT can cause barotrauma, which refers to injuries caused by pressure imbalances. Barotrauma can affect the ears (causing ear pain, eardrum rupture, or hearing loss), sinuses, teeth, and lungs (leading to pneumothorax or air embolism).
2. Oxygen toxicity: Breathing pure oxygen at elevated pressures for an extended period can lead to oxygen toxicity, which can cause seizures, lung damage (pulmonary oxygen toxicity), or damage to the central nervous system (central nervous system oxygen toxicity).
3. Fire hazard: Oxygen-rich environments increase the risk of fire. Hyperbaric chambers use pure oxygen, which is highly flammable. Proper precautions, including removing potential ignition sources and adhering to safety protocols, are necessary to minimize this risk.
4. Confinement anxiety: Some individuals may experience feelings of claustrophobia or confinement anxiety while inside the hyperbaric chamber. This can lead to discomfort, panic attacks, or an inability to complete the treatment session.
5. Reversible myopia: Prolonged exposure to high oxygen levels under pressure can temporarily change the shape of the eye’s lens, leading to nearsightedness (myopia). This condition, known as reversible myopia, typically resolves after discontinuing HBOT.
6. Seizures: Individuals with a history of seizures or certain neurological conditions may be at increased risk of experiencing seizures during HBOT. Seizures can occur due to oxygen toxicity or other factors related to the treatment.
7. Pulmonary oxygen toxicity: In rare cases, prolonged exposure to high levels of oxygen during HBOT can lead to inflammation and damage to the lungs (pulmonary oxygen toxicity), resulting in symptoms such as coughing, chest pain, and difficulty breathing.
8. Sinus or middle ear problems: Individuals with pre-existing sinus or middle ear problems, such as sinusitis or middle ear infections, may experience discomfort or worsening of symptoms during HBOT due to changes in pressure.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

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