Hyperbaric oxygenation in a hyperbaric chamber

WHAT IS HYPERBARIC OXYGENATION (HBO)?

HBO is a proven therapeutic method known in Western Europe and the United States for decades. It involves breathing 100% pure oxygen under pressure.

The air we breathe is a mixture of gases from which oxygen occupies only 21%. An adult consumes 2,700 grams of oxygen per day. Only 900 g of them go to the needs of the circulatory system. In a hyperbaric chamber with twice the atmospheric pressure and normal breathing, twice as many molecules are inhaled. The use of 100% pure oxygen leads to the absorption of 10 times the normal amount of oxygen. Thus, for 1 hour, 1 100 g of oxygen are inhaled. Erythrocytes are filled with oxygen and the excess is dissolved in the blood plasma. After a few minutes, the supplemental oxygen increases its levels well above normal values, even in damaged hypoxic tissues, which greatly aids the healing process.

Among the other HBO effects that have been scientifically proven and widely used are:

• inflammation reduction;
• accelerates the regeneration of blood vessels;
• improves the ability of the body to fight infection;
• assists the body in its ability to emit toxic and metabolic waste products;
• accelerates recovery time;

The combination of high pressure and increased oxygen concentration makes oxygen an effective therapy. This therapy can show noticeable results within 12-40 procedures. The oxygen inhaled during a session accumulates in the body and its beneficial effect continues after the end of the course of treatment. In each patient the positive effect is recorded after a different number of procedures. This also depends on the diagnosis, the stage of the disease, accompanying diseases — if any, as well as the overall condition and age of the patient.

WHO IS HBO APPROPRIATE FOR?

HBO is proven to effectively treat:

• carbon monoxide poisoning;
• drug and food intoxications;
• gynecological diseases;
• disorders in the sexual functions;
• caisson disease;
• crush syndrome and other acute traumas, and ischemia;
• air or gas embolism;
• anaerobic or mixed bacterial and anaerobic infections;
• diabetic foot, diabetes;
• non-healing or difficult-to-heal wounds, trophic ulcers;
• radiation manifestations;
• anemic states, burns, liver cirrhosis;
• stomach and duodenum ulcers;
• gastritis, colitis;
• cardiovascular diseases;
• neurological diseases – CP; Multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, neuritis and neuralgia;
• autism, speech difficulties, hyperactivity and other problems, and developmental disorders;

HBO has an immune stimulating effect and is used successfully to increase immunity in healthy people.  It has a very good effect on athletes in the recovery phase as it improves the physical condition and contributes to increased endurance during exercise.

WHO IS HBO NOT SUITABLE FOR?

The only absolute contraindication in the application of HBO is the presence of pneumothorax.

All other contraindications are relative and do not completely and explicitly exclude the application of HBO. In the presence of any of these, special care should be taken when consulting a physician, as well as an individual scheme should be prepared for working with the patient concerned.

The relative contraindications for the application of HBO include:

• upper respiratory tract infections;
• pneumonia;
• pulmonary tuberculosis;
• fever;
• presence of malignancies;
• tendency to bleeding from the nose and ears;
• pregnancy;

HOW IS HBO APPLIED?

HBO is a non-invasive and non-painful therapy that most patients find relaxing and pleasant. Sessions are held in a comfortable and secure, high-end hyperbaric chamber designed especially for this purpose. A trained and certified team of specialists works with it, and in certain conditions a specialist can accompany the patient when entering the hyperbaric chamber.

HBO Medical Support Center is equipped with an eight-seater high-end hyperbaric chamber that offers comfort and relaxed atmosphere during the session. This is achieved both by the comfortable seats in it and the TV where movies can be watched, fully tailored to the patients' wishes.

WHAT SHOULD PATIENTS KNOW BEFORE ENTERING A HYPERBARIC CHAMBER?

Each patient should wear cotton and comfortable clothes. Before entering the hyperbaric chamber, everyone must leave outside all jewelry, mobile phones (and their derivatives — cameras, electronic games, mp3 players, etc.), watches, lighters, pressure bottles, liquor liquids and other dangerous substances.

In the hyperbaric chamber water can be drunk provided that the bottle cap is removed upon entering and exiting.

Throughout the session, patients can communicate with each other, read a book, or watch movies selected by them on the special TV set.

You need to know that at all times every patient can communicate with the therapist via a special phone line located in the hyperbaric chamber. If necessary, at any time during the session, the patient may go outside or a therapist may enter during the ongoing procedure.

Prior to entering a hyperbaric chamber each patient consult a physician and, if necessary, a child psychologist as well.

HOW DOES A HBOT SESSION RUN?

Before the beginning of the procedure, each patient will be given all the necessary instructions and answers to all his questions related to procedure.
The HBO therapeutic session comprises three phases: compression phase, treatment phase and decompression phase.

Compression phase:
: When the door of the hyperbaric chamber closes, due to the pressure increase, noise is heard, the temperature rises slightly. At this stage, patients experience fullness in the ears due to the difference in pressure. Each patient will be trained in advance how to avoid discomfort in this fullness.

Treatment phase:
When the desired pressure is reached, the patient places a mask by which he/she breathes 100% pure oxygen during the session. Treatment begins when the pressure reaches the prescribed level. Patients can relax, read a book or watch TV.

Decompression phase :
After the time of your oxygen treatment has expired, the operator will let you know and the pressure will begin to drop - decompression. The duration of the decompression phase is usually equal to the duration of the compression phase.

HOW LONG DOES A PROCEDURE LAST?

Depending on the diagnosis, the general condition, the stage of the disease, the degree of damage on the organism, the number of affected areas and the age of the patient, a therapeutic scheme that is maximally effective for the patient concerned is prepared. Depending on the scheme, the following parameters may vary: the duration of the procedure (average between 1 hour and 10 minutes and 2 hours), the pressure level (usually from 1.5 to 3 ATA), the number of procedures applied (usually between 12 and 40 sessions),as well as the number of visits per day (once or twice a day).

Schedule an appointment for hyperbaric oxygenation in a hyperbaric chamber by calling: 042 230 155 and 0879 322 190 or at the following address 19, Dr. Todor Stoyanovich Str., Stara Zagora.