With hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), you breathe in pure oxygen while the doctor increases the ambient pressure. This form of therapy is suitable for various illnesses and injuries. These include diving sickness, gas embolisms and various infections. The aim of the treatment is to increase the oxygen content in the blood and thus support the body in the healing process.
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With HBOT, you breathe in pure oxygen under increased pressure. During the treatment, you are in a specially equipped chamber, the so-called pressure chamber.
Under high pressure, the oxygen dissolves better into the blood. This increases the oxygen saturation of tissue that is undersupplied due to injury or illness.
Improved oxygenation:
HBOT has direct and indirect effects on the body: it reduces swelling by reducing blood flow while maintaining the same oxygen supply.
HBOT therapy also promotes the formation of new blood vessels andremoves toxins such as carbon monoxide.
In this way, hyperbaric oxygen therapy eliminates the causes of illnesses or injuries and activates the body's self-healing powers.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy activates wound healing, reduces swelling and inflammation @ rh2010 /AdobeStock
HBOT has two functions:
Your doctor will draw up an individual treatment plan with you to ensure that the treatment is as successful as possible. A session lasts around two hours.
The prognosis depends on the underlying disease. It is particularly favorable for carbon monoxide poisoning and diver's disease.
HBOT has proven to be an effective method for the treatment of various diseases.
These include
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy also accelerates the regeneration of transplanted tissue.
HBOT accelerates the healing process of illnesses and is also used in anti-ageing therapy. It is suitable for increasing physical and cognitive performance, slowing down the ageing process and improving quality of life.
It improves the appearance of scars and other changes to the skin. This is possible because it optimizes the oxygen supply to the cells. This promotes regeneration.
Before starting treatment, the doctor checks your suitability for pressure by testing your lung function, among other things. He or she will perform an ECG and ensure that your eustachian tube is clear. This reduces the risk of complications.
A member of the treatment team will then accompany you to the pressure chamber. From there, you can contact the doctor or nursing staff at any time.
The practitioner will slowly increase the pressure to allow the pressure in your ears to equalize comfortably. You can support this process by chewing gum during the pressure build-up phase.
Alternatively, hold your nose closed and press air into your throat.
Once the excess pressure desired by the practitioner has been reached, put on the oxygen mask and breathe in 100% pure oxygen. At the end of the treatment, the practitioner slowly lowers the pressure so that you become accustomed to the ambient pressure.
Remove the breathing mask and inform your practitioner if you experience any of the following symptoms during the procedure:
After the sessions, follow your doctor's instructions to minimize complications and ensure optimal treatment success. Patients usually tolerate HBO therapy well. Occasionally, mild side effects occur, which usually subside quickly.
Sometimes patients experience a feeling of pressure in the ears after oxygen therapy. If you experience this feeling as unpleasant, swallow consciously, yawn and move your jaw.
Your doctor will recommend decongestant nasal sprays and/or ear drops if the measures described above do not alleviate the side effects.
Do not hold your nose shut in order to build up pressure yourself afterwards!
Occasionally patients are tired after pressure treatment . Allow yourself sufficient rest and sleep after HBO therapy in order to recover.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any unusual symptoms after the treatment!
Like any treatment, hyperbaric medicine also involves risks, which your doctor will explain to you at the beginning of the therapy.
These include
Statutory health insurance companies only cover the costs in exceptional cases. For example, if other treatment methods have been unsuccessful.
To do this, you must apply for the costs to be covered before the HBO therapy begins. Only the costs incurred for outpatient sessions are covered.
Private health insurance companies generally cover the treatment costs for outpatient and inpatient oxygen therapy.
If you intend to finance the HBO therapy yourself, the treatment team will draw up an individual treatment and cost plan for you.
HBO therapy is an effective tool for treating various diseases. The improved oxygenation activates the body's self-healing powers and removes harmful substances such as carbon monoxide from the body. As a non-invasive treatment method, HBOT usually causes only minor side effects.
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