Which life-threatening wound is treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an alternative therapy believed to improve the prognosis in cases of lower extremity trauma. Show
We present 7 cases: soft tissue loss, chronic burn, high-voltage burn, gangrene, crush, chemical burn, and excoriation. •Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has many benefits in lower extremity trauma for wound recovery, preventing complications, and helping patients return to daily activities. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a type of treatment used to speed up healing of carbon monoxide poisoning, gangrene, wounds that won't heal, and infections in which tissues are starved for oxygen. For this therapy, you enter a special chamber to breathe in pure oxygen in air pressure levels 1.5 to 3 times higher than average. The goal is to fill the blood with enough oxygen to repair tissues and restore normal body function. Facts about hyperbaric oxygen therapyHyperbaric oxygen therapy was first used in the U.S. in the early 20th century. The therapy was tried again in the 1940s when the U.S. Navy used it to treat deep-sea divers who had decompression sickness. By the 1960s, the therapy was also used to treat carbon monoxide poisoning. Today, it's still used to treat sick scuba divers and people with carbon monoxide poisoning, including firefighters and miners. It has also been approved for more than a dozen conditions ranging from burns to bone disease, including:
Medicare, Medicaid, and many insurance companies generally cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy for these conditions, but may not do so in every case. Check with your insurance plan to see if it is covered and if you need pre-authorization before treatment. Be aware that HBOT is not considered safe and effective for treating certain conditions. These include: HIV/AIDs, brain injury, heart disease, stroke, asthma, depression, spinal cord injury, and sports injuries. How does HBOT work?
Types of hyperbaric oxygen chambersHyperbaric oxygen therapy uses 2 types of chambers:
What happens during HBOTOnly a healthcare provider should prescribe HBOT. A number of hospitals offer these chambers. People relax, sit, or lie comfortably in these chambers and take deep breaths. Sessions can last from 45 minutes up to 300 minutes, depending on the reason for the treatment. Your ears may feel plugged as the pressure is raised, like when you're in an airplane or the mountains. Swallowing or chewing gum will "pop" the ears back to normal. Your blood carries the extra oxygen throughout the body, infusing the injured tissues that need more oxygen so they can start healing. When a session is done, you may feel lightheaded. Mild side effects include claustrophobia, fatigue, and headaches. Always have someone drive you home after HBOT. Several sessions are often needed, so check beforehand to see whether your insurance company, Medicaid, or Medicare covers the cost. PrecautionsHyperbaric oxygen therapy is not for everyone. It shouldn't be used by people who have had a recent ear surgery or injury, a cold or fever, or certain types of lung disease. The most common complication after HBOT is trauma to the middle ear. Other possible complications are eye damage, lung collapse, low blood sugar, and sinus problems. In rare, severe cases, a person can get oxygen poisoning. This can lead to seizures, fluid in the lungs, lung failure, or other problems. Considering the possible risks and benefits, the decision to use hyperbaric oxygen therapy must be carefully made after a discussion with your healthcare provider. What wounds are treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy?Some of these are:. Radiation injuries.. Infections.. Burns.. Certain skin grafts and flaps.. Crush injuries.. Diabetes related wounds.. What is hyperbaric oxygen treatment used for?Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is well known for treating scuba and deep-sea divers affected by the rapid change in pressure around them. But did you know that HBOT is also used to treat a variety of other health problems, including carbon monoxide poisoning and diabetic foot ulcers?
In which condition does hyperbaric therapy be administered?HBOT is instrumental in treating decompression sickness, arterial gas embolisms, and acute carbon monoxide poisoning.
What complications can be treated with hyperbaric oxygen?Among patients with T2DM, HBOT is mostly used for the treatment of chronic diabetic ulcers, which involves intermittent administration of 100% oxygen, usually in daily sessions of 90 minutes each, at pressures of 1.5–3.0 ata in an airtight cabin.
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