|  What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Breathing 100% oxygen at increased atmospheric pressure
is a painless, proven way to help the body heal. Hyperbaric
oxygen chambers work by surrounding the patient with 100%
oxygen at higher than normal atmospheric pressure in sessions,
or dives, that last 90 minutes to two hours. This increases
the amount of oxygen in the patient's blood allowing red
blood cells to pass more easily through the plasma into
the wounds to heal them from the inside out.
Introduced in the mid-60's, HBO chambers have evolved
to treat patients suffering from diabetic ulcers, necrotizing
infections, compromised skin grafts and flaps, and wounds
that have not healed within 30 days.
Weighing more then one ton each, the HBO chambers resemble
a reclining bed encased in a clear acrylic shell nearly
a yard in diameter. Patients can listen to music or watch
movies on televisions and VCR/DVD players mounted above
the chamber while remaining in constant contact with those
outside the chamber through an intercom and private handset.
The only physical sensation resulting from the treatment
is a slight pressure on the eardrum, such as that felt
when a plane lands, as the air in the chamber is compressed.
Medicare-Approved Indications for Hyperbaric Oxygen
Therapy:
- Diabetic ulcers of the lower extremities
- Acute peripheral
arterial insufficiency
- Acute traumatic peripheral ischemia
- Compromised skin
grafts and flaps
- Osteoradionecrosis and soft tissue
radiation injury
- Progressive necrotizing infections
- Actinomycosis
- Chronic refractory osteomyelitis
- Crush injuries
- Gas gangrene
- Acute carbon monoxide intoxication
- Decompression illness
- Gas embolism
- Cyanide poisoning
Other indications may be approved by private
insurance. We can help you determine if hyperbaric oxygen
therapy is approved by your insurer for your condition. |
