Hyperbaric therapy is a safe and effective treatment for various acute and chronic conditions. It can sometimes take weeks to see the long-term benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. If you have attended several HBOT sessions and are wondering what the next steps are, it can help to understand more about the HBOT process.
What Is HBOT?
Hyperbaric therapy involves a patient entering a pressurized chamber while it fills with 100% oxygen. As the patient breathes in the oxygen, it enters the bloodstream and can begin healing oxygen-starved tissues. The pressure inside the chamber is generally two to three times higher than normal air pressure. This increased pressure allows the lungs to take in more oxygen. HBOT is a safe, low-risk therapy. The most common side effect is feeling pressure build up in the ears, which can generally be remedied by swallowing or “popping” them.
What Conditions Can HBOT Treat?
HBOT can be used to treat many conditions. Decompression sickness, and often carbon monoxide poisoning, use HBOT as the primary treatment. Other conditions that can be treated using HBOT include:
- Anemia
- Crush injuries
- Skin grafts and flaps
- Gas gangrene
- Bone infection
- Cyanide poisoning
- Flesh-eating disease
There is also research to support the use of HBOT in other off-label conditions, which can be treated at certain hyperbaric centers. Some of these conditions include:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Arthritis
- Autism
- Dementia
- Depression
- Traumatic brain injury
What Are the Next Steps After HBOT?
When deciding on your next steps, it is best to involve your physician. Your physician can provide guidance by evaluating your needs and individual circumstances.
If You Are Seeing Improvements in Your Condition
If HBOT has been successful for you, your physician may recommend attending more sessions. If your condition has been resolved, you may be able to cease treatment while your physician monitors you.
If You Are Not Seeing Improvements in Your Condition
It can take a while to see the long-term results from HBOT. If you have not been attending sessions regularly or haven’t been going for multiple weeks, it may be too soon to see improvements. If you continue to attend your sessions, you are more likely to see the benefits of treatment. It is also possible that your body is not responding to the therapy. Your physician can help determine your next steps if this is the case.
How Many Sessions Do I Need To Attend?
When you were first prescribed hyperbaric oxygen therapy, your physician likely recommended attending a certain amount of sessions. This can vary widely depending on the condition that is being treated. Acute conditions like decompression sickness may only require 1-2 sessions, and chronic conditions can require at least 30 sessions or more. A session typically lasts between 60-120 minutes. Your physician may recommend coming in for treatment multiple times a week, possibly even once a day.
Your condition, the severity of your condition, your overall health, and how your body individually responds to the treatment can all affect how long it takes to see the benefits of hyperbaric therapy. How often you receive treatment and for how long can also play a role. Many patients start seeing and noticing improvements after a few weeks of regular treatment. The key is to stay consistent and follow your physician’s guidance.
Will I Experience Immediate Relief After Treatment?
Oxygen requires time to heal your tissues. Because of this, it is unlikely that you will experience immediate relief after treatment. You may get relief from symptoms associated with low-oxygen levels, like headache and shortness of breath. You may also feel energized after leaving the chamber because of oxygen’s stimulating effect on the human body.
Can I Do Anything To Speed Up Healing?
It can take a few weeks or even months to see results from HBOT. While this is normal, there are a few things that you can do to potentially speed up healing.
- Attend your sessions as prescribed.
- Eat healthy foods.
- Get enough sleep.
- Avoid alcohol and carbonated beverages at least four weeks before hyperbaric treatment.
- Avoid tobacco. Tobacco can inhibit your body from transferring oxygen.
- Don’t attend an HBOT session while sick with a cold, flu, or fever.
See How Hyperbaric Therapy Can Help You
Hyperbaric therapy can help give your body the oxygen needed to begin healing. Even if you have attended several sessions, your physician may advise you to continue treatment. If you think hyperbaric therapy could help you, then speak to your physician about the treatment.
