Hyperbaric Treatment for 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, allowing them to be safely reabsorbed by the body.

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Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is being used as a gas embolism treatment for decompression sickness. It involves breathing 100% pure oxygen inside a pressurized chamber, which increases the amount of oxygen carried by the bloodstream. This increased oxygen levels, helps heal damaged tissues and promotes faster recovery.

If you are looking for a hyperbaric oxygen chamber in San Jose, CA, contact Bay Area Hyperbarics and schedule a free consultation today.

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Hyperbaric Oxygen Treats Air or Gas Embolisms

Hyperbaric Treatment for Gas Embolisms

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If you are looking for a hyperbaric oxygen chamber in San Jose, CA, contact Bay Area Hyperbarics and schedule a free consultation today.

Are you a Physician? View Physician version of this page

How Hyperbarics Helps Gas Embolisms

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) is a potentially debilitating condition affecting divers who surface too quickly or fail to adhere to proper decompression procedures. The sudden pressure drop forms gas bubbles in the body, causing various symptoms like joint pain, fatigue, and serious neurological or cardiopulmonary issues. Hyperbaric treatment helps 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. Gas bubbles can trigger mechanical, embolic, or biochemical effects, resulting in symptoms like joint pain, dizziness, breathlessness, fatigue, and, in severe instances, 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.

Reducing Bubble Size and Volume: HBOT's primary mechanism in gas embolism treatments 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 gas 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 boosts blood oxygen levels, aiding tissue healing and lessening the risk of lasting damage from ischemic injury.
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 restores 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, 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 gas embolism treatment. HBOT crucially aids healing and recovery by shrinking bubbles, improving oxygen delivery, speeding up nitrogen elimination, and reducing ischemia-reperfusion injury.

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 seeking medical attention for traumatic injuries can help minimize the risk of gas and air embolisms.

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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.