Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: A Vital Treatment for Decompression Sickness as well as Air and Gas Embolisms
Hyperbarics is the primary medical treatment for resolving decompression sickness caused by air and gas embolisms in the body. Oxygen under pressure dissolves bubbles in the bloodstream
Hyperbarics is the primary medical treatment for resolving decompression sickness caused by air and gas embolisms in the body. Oxygen under pressure dissolves bubbles in the bloodstream
How Hyperbarics Helps
Reduces bubble size and volume
Enhances oxygen delivery
Counteracts ischemic injury
Accelerates nitrogen removal
Supports neovascularization
Reduces inflammation
Reduces ischemia-reperfusion injury
Background
Decompression sickness (DCS), commonly known as "the bends," is a potentially debilitating condition affecting divers who surface too quickly or fail to adhere to proper decompression procedures. The rapid reduction in pressure leads to the formation of gas bubbles in the body, causing a myriad of symptoms ranging from joint pain and fatigue to more severe neurological and cardiopulmonary complications. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has emerged as a pivotal treatment for DCS, helping to alleviate symptoms and promote healing. This article explores the mechanism of HBOT and its effectiveness in managing decompression sickness.
Understanding Decompression Sickness, Air and Gas Embolisms
Decompression sickness occurs when dissolved gases, primarily nitrogen, come out of solution and form bubbles in the body due to rapid changes in pressure. These gas bubbles can cause mechanical, embolic, or biochemical effects, leading to a variety of symptoms, including joint pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, and in severe cases, paralysis or death.Similarly, Air and gas embolisms occur when gas bubbles, usually air or nitrogen, enter the bloodstream and obstruct blood flow in blood vessels. This blockage can lead to tissue hypoxia, inflammation, and damage, with symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to severe neurological and cardiopulmonary complications. The severity and location of the embolism dictate the patient's symptoms and overall prognosis.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: A Lifesaver for DCSHyperbaric oxygen therapy is a medical treatment that involves placing the patient in a chamber with pressurized oxygen. The increased atmospheric pressure allows for higher oxygen concentrations in the blood, which aids in the healing process.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: A Lifesaver for DCSHyperbaric oxygen therapy is a medical treatment that involves placing the patient in a chamber with pressurized oxygen. The increased atmospheric pressure allows for higher oxygen concentrations in the blood, which aids in the healing process.
- Reducing Bubble Size and Volume: The primary mechanism of HBOT in treating air and gas embolisms involves reducing the size of gas bubbles within the bloodstream. By increasing the pressure in the chamber, the gas bubbles shrink, reducing their potential to obstruct blood flow. This decrease in bubble size allows them to be reabsorbed into the bloodstream and subsequently eliminated through the respiratory system.
- Enhancing Oxygen Delivery: HBOT increases the amount of dissolved oxygen in the blood, improving oxygen delivery to tissues affected by the embolism. The increased oxygen supply promotes healing, reduces inflammation, and mitigates the effects of ischemia (lack of oxygen) in the affected tissues
- Counteracting Ischemic Injury: Gas embolisms can lead to ischemic injury, which occurs when tissues are deprived of oxygen due to reduced blood flow. HBOT counteracts ischemic injury by increasing the oxygen concentration in the blood, ensuring that tissues receive adequate oxygen for healing and reducing the risk of permanent damage.
- Accelerating Nitrogen Elimination: HBOT helps expedite the elimination of nitrogen from the body. By increasing the oxygen concentration in the blood, the rate of nitrogen elimination is accelerated, as the body works to restore a normal balance of gases. This rapid removal of nitrogen helps to dissolve any remaining gas bubbles, further reducing symptoms and complications of decompression sickness.
- Supporting Neovascularization: HBOT has been shown to promote neovascularization, the formation of new blood vessels in response to tissue injury. This process can help restore blood flow to areas affected by gas embolisms, further supporting tissue recovery and reducing long-term complications.
- Reducing Inflammation: Inflammation often occurs in response to air and gas embolisms, contributing to tissue damage and exacerbating symptoms. HBOT has been demonstrated to reduce inflammation by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increasing the production of anti-inflammatory mediators, supporting the healing process.
- Reducing Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury: In some cases, the gas bubbles in the blood vessels can lead to ischemia, a condition where tissues are deprived of oxygen due to reduced blood flow. Upon the restoration of blood flow, the affected tissues may experience reperfusion injury, characterized by inflammation and oxidative damage. HBOT has been shown to reduce the severity of ischemia-reperfusion injury by enhancing oxygen delivery and reducing inflammation.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has proven to be an indispensable tool in the treatment of decompression sickness, significantly improving patient outcomes. In addition, it has proven to be a valuable treatment option for air and gas embolisms. By reducing bubble size and volume, enhancing oxygen delivery to tissues, accelerating nitrogen elimination, and reducing ischemia-reperfusion injury, HBOT plays a crucial role in healing and recovery. While HBOT is an effective therapy, it is essential to remember that prevention is always the best approach. Ensuring proper diving practices, following medical procedure guidelines, and promptly seeking medical attention for traumatic injuries can help minimize the risk of air and gas embolisms.
Patients: Get Started with Hyperbarics
It's easy to get started with Hyperbarics. Just follow these simple steps.
1
Give us a call
Did a physician refer you? If so, they can download and fax us back a patient referral form. If not, our medical staff will discuss whether hyperbaric is right for you.
2
We talk with your insurance
Our medical staff contacts Medicare or private insurance to receive authorization and create a plan with you.
3
You get on the road to recovery
We do a medical intake, explain everything you need to know, and get started on your hyperbaric oxygen anti-aging therapy sessions.
Physicians: Refer a Patient
Refer a patient in three easy steps.
1
You submit patient’s information
As a provider, your office fills out and faxes back the Patient Referral Form. Have questions? Call us!
2
We get authorizations
We make sure the patient understands treatment and then follow the prescribed protocol to get the patient on the road to recovery!
3
Patient starts HBOT
Our medical staff meets with the patient to ensure that HBOT reverse aging treatment is appropriate and contacts Medicare or private insurance to receive authorization.
Still looking for answers?
We're here to help. Contact us today to learn more about how hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help you.
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What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy treats medical conditions with 100% oxygen in a pressurized hyperbaric chamber. The patient lies or sits in the chamber. The oxygen then saturates the plasma in the blood, allowing oxygen to easily flow throughout the body and reach even areas that are injured or diseased, which typically receive less oxygen. The mechanisms of hyperbaric oxygen therapy include stimulating and mobilizing stem cells, down-regulating inflammatory genes, up-regulating reproductive cells and stimulating DNA. HBOT also regrows tiny blood vessels, and stimulates the growth of new healthy cells in the brain, bones, skin, organs, and tissues. People seek hyperbaric oxygen therapy to heal physical damage in their bodies and to promoting health and anti-aging.
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What does HBOT feel like?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a painless, noninvasive therapy. Our patients often tell us they don't notice the pressure change, except for a bit in their ears. Specifically, some feel a bit of pressure in their ears, like when they take off in an airplane. It feels like their ears are 'popping'. After a treatment, some patients say they can think more clearly and that they have more energy. If there has been pain from swelling or impinged nerves, patients often comment on the pain relief, plus increased strength and range of motion after their treatments.
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Is HBOT safe?
Overall, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is extremely safe. However, as with any medical therapy, there can be risks. Any risks should be reviewed with you prior to your treatment, at the time your provider goes over your health history with you, and during your intake at the clinic. All clinics are constructed with approval of the local fire marshal and building inspectors to ensure that they comply with all relevant safety codes. Bay Area Hyperbarics has an outstanding safety record for our 21 years serving our community.
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How do I prepare for HBOT?
We make preparing for a hyperbaric oxygen therapy easy. Before the first treatment, we take the time to answer all of your questions in detail. The patient’s healthcare provider reviews their history and condition. For example, depending on your condition, you may be asked to eat before your treatment. Preparing for HBOT is just as individualized as the therapy. In most cases, it’s as easy as changing into the clothing we provide you. Call us with any questions you have. We are more than happy to answer all of your questions, even if you are not a current patient.
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Will my insurance cover HBOT?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been proven to help with numerous medical conditions. Each insurance company decides what’s covered and what's not. That said, HBOT is covered by Medicare, Kaiser, Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, United Health Care and many other insurances. Coverage is based on the diagnosis. We also take people with conditions that are not covered by their insurance, but whose problem can greatly improve with HBOT. Call us! We are more than happy to look at your personal situation and do the insurance work for you.