5 Things You Might Not Know About HBOT

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can be used to assist in the healing process without the use of harsh medications. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy benefits have a wide range. Here are five things you might not know about HBOT:

1. You’ll Need a Doctors Approval

Before making an appointment to receive an HBOT treatment, you will need a doctor’s approval. HBOT is an FDA-approved treatment, and under federal law, a patient should be given a prescription before they can proceed with treatment. You can get a prescription from a regular physician or from a physician who works in an HBOT treatment center.

2. You Should Leave the Perfume at Home

Patients are asked to come to an HBOT appointment sunscreen, lotion, hairspray, make-up, and perfume-free. These products may increase the fire risk in the oxygen-rich chamber. To avoid any chance that these products cause you harm, your HBOT treatment center may also have you change into pre-approved cotton clothing. Before your appointment, you can shower to reduce any fire-risk products that may be found on you.

 3. You May Feel Ear Pressure

One of the questions often asked about HBOT is what the treatment feels like. During a treatment, you may feel pressure, like when taking off in an airplane or changing elevation. The pressure felt is only temporary and can reduce once the treatment session ends. This pressure is caused by the chamber filling with two to three times the normal air pressure that you may be used to. After the treatment is finished, you may feel temporary light-headedness.

4. Your Treatment Time Varies

Each patient’s treatment plan will vary from the next. You may need only one to two sessions, while others may need 30 sessions for chronic conditions. Each treatment session can go up to 2 hours in time. Your HBOT physician can determine the right amount of time for you to be in the chamber based on your specific needs.

5. Your Preparation Is Key

There are several guidelines that you may need to follow in order to prepare for your treatment. These guidelines can be key to getting the most out of your HBOT treatment. Here are some of the guidelines HBOT treatment centers may ask you to follow:

Avoid Coming if You Are Sick

If you are experiencing any cold or flu symptoms, it may be best to reschedule your HBOT appointment. The treatment may be less effective on your specific issue if you receive it while feeling ill from the flu or if you have a cold.

Avoid Certain Medications

You may need to avoid certain medications while you’re receiving HBOT treatment. Some of these medications can be Bleomycin, Sulfamylon, Cisplatin, Disulfiram, Doxorubicin, medication patches, and petroleum/nitroglycerin-based ointments. You can ask your physicians if any of the medications you are currently taking may reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.

Avoid Caffeine, Alcohol, and Carbonated Beverage Consumption

You may want to reduce alcohol consumption 24 hours before your HBOT treatment and reduce caffeine four hours before. These types of beverages may reduce the absorption of the oxygen you receive during treatment. You may want to reduce alcohol consumption over the time period you receive treatment as it may put you at a higher risk for seizures.

Avoid Smoking/Vaping

You may want to avoid smoking during your allotted treatment time. Smoking or vaping can cause your small blood vessels to constrict. The constriction of your small blood vessels may reduce the hyperbaric oxygen therapy benefits. Your blood pressure and heart rate may also rise during the treatment because of smoking or vaping.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Benefits

You can use HBOT for the treatment of FDA-approved conditions. Besides these conditions, there are other benefits that you can receive through this treatment. You may be able to stimulate healing after cosmetic surgery, reduce symptoms of mental illness, assist those who have strokes, and more.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy benefits start with the treatment being natural. During treatment, your lungs are filled with 100% pure oxygen. Other treatments may not be natural and may produce harmful side effects. HBOT can have minimal side effects and may help reduce symptoms of several different issues. Find a hyperbaric oxygen center near you to find out more about your treatment options.