Hyperbaric Chamber: what it is, what it is for, how it works and contraindications

By Cristiano Antonino Last updated Feb 17, 2023

Resulting to be a traceable environment within hospital centers, during which it is probable to breathe more oxygen than is possible within the environment, it is the hyperbaric chamber

What is the hyperbaric chamber?

This is usually chosen in order to alternate the use of oxygen therapy.

The latter turns out to be a specialized therapy that involves the use of gas complexes with high quantities of oxygen, through dispensers.

Specialists in the field, in fact, state that oxygen therapy appears to be a therapeutic process similar to pharmacological treatment, and oxygen appears to be a medicine, similar to aspirin, NSAIDs, etc.

Present in the blood, oxygen reaches every body cell and gives it the most advantageous sustainability, so that it works perfectly.

In addition, with the same it is possible to safeguard the body from infections and from the leakage of substances, which cause the development of stem cells, which give rise to tissue treatment processes.

Therefore, the lack of oxygen in the blood turns out to be unfavorable for the healthy state and the regular functionality of the organs of the subject.

Also called with the term decompression chamber or chamber for hyperbaric therapy, it is the hyperbaric chamber

The same allows the realization of oxygen therapy, which is called hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

The subjects who undergo the same, turn out to be subjects who are affected by a low quantity of oxygen in the blood and who need a greater exogenous oxygen supply.

Among the pathologies that require the use of the hyperbaric chamber, there are:

Decompression pathologies.
Air embolism.
predominant anemia.
Predominant burns.
Brain abscess.
Compartment syndrome.
Crushing injuries and contractures.
Carbon monoxide pollution.
Gas gangrene.
Skin and bone infections cause tissue deterioration.
Presence of injuries due to radiation.
Deafness.
Visual lack.
Presence of lesions that are difficult to treat.

Although there are many researches in this regard, the therapeutic benefits of the hyperbaric chamber are unknown, as regards:

AIDS.
Allergies.
Alzheimer’s disease.
Arthritis.
Asthma.
Autism.
Bell’s palsy.
Cancer.
cerebral palsy.
chronic fatigue syndrome.
Cirrhosis.
Fibromyalgia.
Depression.
Gastrointestinal ulcers.
Heat shot.
Hepatitis.
Migraine.
Multiple sclerosis.
Parkinson’s disease.
Spinal cord contractures.
Stroke.

It therefore turns out to be an efficient therapy which confers excellent advantages.

Nonetheless, it is advisable to keep in mind that, in order to obtain excellent results, it is advisable to undergo different sessions.

The latter vary according to the state of health.

In fact, in the case of carbon monoxide poisoning, it is advisable to undergo 3 cycles, contrary to episodes of injury, which do not tend to be eliminated immediately, in fact they require 20/40 sessions.

As regards the state of health, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is sufficient in order to eliminate the problems associated with decompression pathologies, carbon monoxide poisoning and gas embolism.

On the contrary, for further problems, the use of the same involves the use of further curative treatments.

How hyperbaric chamber therapy works

Usually, curative therapies in a hyperbaric chamber do not require hospitalization, except when the factor requires hyperbaric oxygen therapy to be mandatory.

Inside the hyperbaric chamber, the use of oxygen occurs in the presence of pressure rates that are 2-3 times greater than the amounts of atmospheric pressure.

This allows you to take in a greater quantity of oxygen than is inhaled regularly, in moments of common pressure.

Furthermore, the high pressure, co-present inside the hyperbaric chamber, increases the presence of usable oxygen by the human body.

The industriousness of the therapy inside the hyperbaric chamber and in the home of the subject upon starting up the instruments which expel oxygen and regulate the pressure, appears to be controlled by the specialist and by technicians of the sector, having the function of acting instantaneously wherever there is the need.

Inside the hyperbaric chamber, the subject obtains pure oxygen or compressed air having a high amount of oxygen.

Although this, therapeutically speaking, pure oxygen is more efficient than compressed air, although it is preferred given its lower cost and greater safety.

The therapies inside the hyperbaric chamber consist in the use of oxygen through helmets, masks or dispensing caps.

Conversely, hyperbaric oxygen therapy with compressed air involves inhaling oxygen, obviating the use of adverse masks and regulators.

Usually, each therapy does not exceed 2 hours of timing.

When the subject perceives it appears to be fully aural, and therefore the sense of cleanliness and openness that is usually perceptible in mountain places.

In order to correct ear filling, it is sufficient to perform a fictitious yawn and swallow.

There are two types of hyperbaric chambers, the single-place and the multi-place hyperbaric chamber

The first turns out to be a cylinder of limited size, the material of which turns out to be either in clear acrylic or in metal, having the function of capturing only one subject internally.

Contrary to the multiplace hyperbaric chamber, it appears to be a large cylinder, the material of which is metal and has the capacity to contain a greater number of people.

Usually, the multiplace chamber has an internal section having the function of supplying oxygen (in fact it takes the name of treatment chamber) and an antechamber (called transfer chamber).

It contains instruments for audio-visual dissemination, while the antechamber appears to be inhabited only by the doctor, who during the course of the treatment carries out the function of ascertaining the function of the hyperbaric chamber, thus assisting the subjects who enter and that I go out.

The initiation appears to be somewhat exemplified, in fact, the subject taking into consideration the regular precautions, can undergo the efficient use of the hyperbaric chamber

As regards the precautions, they are summarized in:

Prevent lighters and any gadgets with batteries from entering the hyperbaric chamber.
Obviate the use of petroleum-based cosmetic products, prior to therapy. In the event that this happens, the specialist will have to shave the hair and cleanse the skin with a cleanser.

Contraindications

To date, the use of the hyperbaric chamber appears to be reassuring and with a low rate of problems as regards side effects and complications.

The latter, however, appear to be a probable repercussion of the high quantity of oxygen administered or of the high compression.

Among the complications and the corresponding side effects, there are:

Injuries and contractures in the middle ear, due to high pressure.
Momentary myopia, co-present when oxygen is co-present in high quantities. Usually, vision returns to normal after 3 weeks of hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Pulmonary barotrauma, cause of pneumothorax.
Epileptic seizures, due to excess oxygen inside the brain.
Pain in the forehead and cheekbones.
Inflammations.

The therapy has different contraindications, some of an absolute nature, others relative

It tends to have contraindications of an absolute nature to:

People with pneumothorax or COPD, as hyperbaric oxygen therapy causes pneumothoracic tension buildup.
Subjects undergoing or having undergone drug treatments containing doxorubicin, cisplatin, disulfiram or mafenide. It turns out to be a temporary contraindication, as it is necessary to pay attention to the overall administration and for the primary weeks following the conclusion of the same.

Contraindications associated with the hyperbaric chamber include:

heart disease.
High fever.
Pulmonary emphysema with associated carbon dioxide retention.
Presence of malignant tumors.
Barotraumatic otitis media (also known as middle ear barotrauma).