Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy is a medical treatment in which the entire body is exposed to increased atmospheric pressure while the patient breathes 100 percent oxygen.
This increased pressure and oxygen concentration dissolves greater amounts of oxygen in your blood and other tissue fluids, in amounts sufficient to promote a healing effect.
Hyperbaric treatments are painless, but you may experience a sensation of "fullness" in your ears, similar to that which you may have experienced while driving down a mountain, flying or skin diving. The "full" feeling occurs as your eardrums respond to the change in pressure being exerted on them. The hyperbaric nurse/technician will show you how to relieve this fullness, so that you can avoid discomfort during your treatment.
Once you are in the chamber, you will hear the oxygen begin to circulate. You will be told when we start the gradual increase in pressure. You may notice a temporary increase in temperature during this "compression". A staff member will remain with you to adjust the rate of compression according to your tolerance and coach you on relieving the "full" sensation in your ears. The compression phase of the treatment generally lasts 10-15 minutes, depending upon how effective you are in "clearing" your ears.
When you have reached the prescribed pressure, the reoccurring fullness in your ears will cease, you may watch television, rest or sleep during the remainder of the treatment, which usually lasts from between one to two hours.
Near the end of your treatment, the pressure will gradually decrease towards normal over a period of 10-15 minutes. During this "decompression", you may experience a "popping" sensation in your ears as a result of the decreasing pressure. This “popping” is a normal adjustment in your ears. This is similar to that which occurs when you are driving up a mountain or taking off in an airplane.
Generally you experience no after effects from HBO therapy. However, some patients report a "crackling" sensation in their ears between treatments. This may be relieved in the same manner as clearing your ears during compression. If the "crackling" should continue, please report this to the hyperbaric staff.
As with all medical procedures and treatments, there are some side effects that could result from exposure to hyperbaric oxygen. These are rare, but they will be discussed with you in detail before you sign your consent for treatment form.