Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Side Effects
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been treating patients since 1662. Although it is has recently gained recognition, its benefits and effectiveness is well established. With the use of state-of-the-art equipment, HBOT has evolved as one of the most promising forms of treatment for physiological as well as psychological diseases. However, just like other forms of treatment, HBOT can possibly cause a number of minor to major side-effects.
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Nature of Treatment
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The term "hyper" relates to an increase, and "baric" relates to pressure. Therefore, HBOT is a treatment that administers 100% oxygen at higher than normal pressure. By putting the patient in a pressured chamber, the patient is immersed in pure oxygen. As a result, the treatment enables the body to dissolve ten times more of the normal level of oxygen absorbed in the blood plasma and body cells. This enables HBOT to promote healing and wellness. However, momentarily subjecting patients in a pressurized chamber, sometimes cause side-effects.
Common side-effects
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Generally, HBOT is extremely safe, and its side effects are minimal. The most common side effects would be temporary trauma to the ears and sinuses or barotraumas due to pressure changes. The discomforts caused by the pressurized environment may be experienced as the treatment progresses but are immediately resolved as the treatment session finishes. These common side effects are usually manageable and can easily be relieved by decongestants. With the right technique of administering HBOT procedures, patients can avoid suffering from side effects.
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Temporary Side-effects
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Temporary changes in the vision and tiredness may be experienced with prolonged HBOT treatment. This is also caused by momentarily staying within a pressurized chamber. These side effects are usually minor and should not be a point of concern, for they normally pass a few moments after the treatment session. Therefore, when scheduling a treatment session, patients who need to travel or return to work should set enough time for them to relax after treatment.
Rare Side-effects
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Oxygen toxicity is one of the most serious (and, thankfully, rare) side effects of HBOT. Oxygen toxicity often leads to seizures, CNS and pulmonary diseases. Another rare side effect would be claustrophobia. However, this can be prevented by maintaining communication within the chamber, doing relaxation techniques and by putting the patient under sedation. Patients with cataracts may accelerate the maturation of their cataracts; however, HBOT does not cause cataract formation.
Caution
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HBOT may not be safe for people with certain health conditions. People suffering from asthma, congenital spherocytosis, high fever, optic neuritis, upper respiratory tract infection and viral infection, as well as pregnant women, are at high risk of suffering from minor to serious side-effects when undergoing HBOT. In addition, the treatment is risky for people who are under cisplatinum, disulphiram and doxorubicin medication, for these drugs have the tendency to become toxic at high pressures.
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