Our 10 Person Mixed Gas Recompression Chamber and entrance to both units.

WHAT IS THE HYPERBARIC PRESSURE CHAMBER?

There are a variety of pressure vessels that qualify as Hyperbaric Pressure Chambers. Classifications for the chambers are also varied depending upon the context in which they are addressed. There are two basic classifications of chambers, one is the mono-place and the other is the multi-place. The key component of the term’s, multi and mono, are obvious. The term “Multi” refers to more than one occupant and the term “Mono” refers to only one occupant. Clinical practices differ as to how they serve the patient needs of their community. In most hospitals, larger chambers are pressurized with air and after the appropriate pressure is achieved, the patient breaths pure oxygen through a mask or hood. However, in the stand-alone and smaller practices, the monoplace type of chamber that accommodates one patient at a time, is pressurized and operated entirely by oxygen.

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WHAT IF I AM A SMOKER?

The whole idea behind this treatment is to promote healing and recovery. This process of introducing oxygen, in solution, into the tissues of the body, promotes the clustering of capillaries and increased collagen to the tissues where the body needs the effect the greatest. Tobacco smoke is known to reduce that effect and literally retard the benefit of the therapy the smoking patient receives. It is highly recommended that the patient refrain from smoking during their entire course of treatment, maybe even allowing the patient to quit all together.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:
ARE THERE ANY CONDITIONS THAT WOULD PREVENT A PATIENT FROM BEING TREATED?

Yes, there are a number of conditions that would prevent a patient from being treated, but not permanently in many cases. In the matter of a pneumothorax - once healed and the referring physician approves HBOT, treatment can take place. Any form of congenital spherocytosis, any alcohol related treatment with Disulfiram (Antabuse), and cancer patient being treated with Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) or Cis-Platinum until released by their oncologist for HBOT, and any burn patient being treated with the anti-biotic Mafenide Acetate (Sulfamylon) are contraindications. Each patient is evaluated to determine the relative risks and benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Emphysema is also a condition that precludes HBOT. Medical oxygen is now a prescription drug under EU Directive 65-65 EEG 1/2004.

DOES MY PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN OR A SPECIALIST REFER ME FOR THIS TREATMENT?

That depends upon the reason you are being referred for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Your Primary Care Physician may refer you directly to us for treatments or he or she may first refer you to a specialist who may then recommend treatment with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.

In any case do not feel intimidated from asking your Primary Care Physician to prescribe the therapy for you. If you need treatment for one of the above source diseases or disorders, you may wish to seek advice from a second physician to be sure you are getting the best treatments available. If your practitioner hesitates or is not completely familiar with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, check out our library of articles and show them to the practitioner, or even refer your practitioner to us.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

One of our greatest concerns is the cost of treatments. The practice of Medicine is wrought with expenses, and this is one of the greatest concerns on the minds of everyone. But, one of the benefits of Hyperbaric Therapy is that many insurance carriers cover the entire cost, or have a small co-pay. Please consult with your insurance carrier to determine your level of coverage for these services. Pricing varies depending on the level of treatment so please contact us for more information.

WHAT SHOULD PATIENTS DO BEFORE A TREATMENT?

Because the therapy involves 100 percent oxygen, any thing flammable poses a fire risk. NO SMOKING MATERIAL, LIGHTERS OR MATCHES are permitted in the chamber and should not be used for more than a hour after treatment. Books, magazines, and writing pads may be allowed in a multi-person chamber; newspapers and loose papers should not be taken in. Anything not specifically allowed in the chamber must not be taken in under any circumstances.

WHAT DOES THE TREATMENT FEEL LIKE?

If you have ever dove to the bottom of a pool, or flown in a plane, you can relate to the sensation of your ears popping. You will be instructed on methods of equalizing the pressure in your ears. Please follow the instructions carefully and avoid a feeling of fullness in your ears, this will protect your from any discomfort during your experience. By holding your nose and attempting to blow through it, or simply swallowing, chewing gum, or sipping on water will allow the pressure to equalize in the middle ear, through the eustachian tube. It is only necessary to do this during the first few minutes of the treatment. The remainder of your treatment should be a time for you to read, sleep, watch TV, or just relax. Patients of all ages generally tolerate the treatments very well.

At first, while the chamber is being pressurized, or what is referred to as a diving to depth, you will experience the sound of the air or oxygen (This is depending upon the type of chamber you are being treated in.), which may be quite noisy. It will get warm at first because as you add pressure to any given object, it will increase the temperature, but when the chamber reaches the pressure or “Depth of Dive”, the temperature will automatically adjusted to a comfortable setting.

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?

Yes, there are several, but first a note about certain sensations a patient may experience directly after emerging from a chamber. There is a sensation of joints feeling thick, full or like cracking as with a knuckle, muscle relaxation and increased energy, are among the most commonly recognized sensations.

The most common side effect however is barotrauma to the ears and sinuses caused by pressure changes. This is commonly referred to as a “Squeeze” by the diving community, and is generally brought about by the patient not being able to clear their ears or sinuses during a dive or ascent to the surface. To minimize this risk, patients learn techniques to promote adequate clearing of the ears during the entire dive.

And yes, there are other side effects, however more rare they are, they still exist. They may include oxygen toxicity, claustrophobia, and accelerated maturation of cataracts. Occasionally some patients experience visual changes after several treatments that cause them to have changes in their visual acuity. This is usually only temporary and should disappear three to four months after the treatments stop. Any other side effects not mentioned are extremely rare, and should be reported to the treating attendants immediately.

WHAT DISEASES OR DISORDERS ARE TREATED BY HBOT?

New studies being completed with regularity, there are specific indications for HBOT. However, the resource we use as our guideline for providing our service is the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, as is listed below. You may also visit their web site and see, first hand, what the current indications are, by clicking on Website: www.uhms.org or email: uhms@uhms.org

ARE THERE RECOMMENDED TREATMENT PLANS?

Yes, as a matter of fact. Each disease/disorder has specific recommendations. However, a skilled practitioner may choose to vary those orders for the needs of the patient. These changes include Pre-surgical treatment, pre-radiation therapy just to name two reasons.

DOES MY INSURANCE COVER THE TREATMENT?

Many insurance carriers cover the entire cost of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, or have a small co-pay. Please consult with your insurance carrier to determine your level of coverage for these services.

HOW CAN A PATIENT QUALIFY FOR TREATMENT?

Ask your physician if they think your condition warrants treatment, or call, fax or click your request to us, and we can get you an answer from a practitioner who is familiar with your condition. Make sure that you tell us as much information as possible, that way our response can be more thorough and swift. Just click here and begin a new world of discovering how you can Experience the Healing Power of Oxygen. Website: www.hbomedtoday.com

SPORTS

This treatment is used extensively for sports injuries and carries the approval of the International Olympic Committee.

THE LAW

In January 2004, The European Union implemented a directive that Medical Oxygen was a prescribed drug and therefore only available, in whatever form, with a prescription issued by a medical doctor, General Practitioner, etc. Medical oxygen is now a prescription drug under EU Directive 65-65 EEG 1/2004. Hyperbaric Medical Oxygen administered at 100%, falls within that EU directive. Decompression illness (DCI) is the only exception.