What is HBOT?
HBOT was first used to treat deep-sea divers with “the bends” (decompression sickness). Now it helps with many conditions, like severe burns, slow-healing wounds, and carbon monoxide poisoning. But like all medical treatments, it has Complications and side effects.
How Does HBOT Work?
You sit or lie in a closed chamber. The pressure inside slowly goes up while you breathe oxygen. Treatments can last 3 minutes to 2 hours. Afterward, the pressure returns to normal.
Because of the high pressure, some people feel discomfort—ear pain or a popping feeling in the ears is common. You may also take short breaks to breathe normal air. This stops your body tissues from getting too much oxygen.
Your doctor will set your oxygen dose based on your health, age, and any medical problems you have. This lowers your risk of side effects.
Complications & Side Effects
Mild side effects after HBOT may include tiredness or feeling lightheaded. More serious problems (less common) can be:
-Lung damage (including a collapsed lung)
-Fluid buildup or a burst in the middle ear
-Sinus damage
-Temporary nearsightedness (usually goes away in days to weeks after treatment ends)
-Oxygen poisoning (can cause lung failure, fluid in the lungs, or seizures—seizures from this rarely harm the brain)
-Low blood sugar
Side effects are usually mild if:
-The treatment lasts no longer than 2 hours
-The chamber pressure is less than 3 times normal air pressure
Who Should NOT Get HBOT?
HBOT isn’t safe for everyone. You shouldn’t have it if you:
-Have certain lung diseases (higher risk of a collapsed lung)
-Already have a collapsed lung
-Have a cold or fever
-Recently had ear surgery or an ear injury
-Feel anxious in small, closed spaces (claustrophobia)
How to Stay Safe During HBOT
The best way to avoid problems is to be treated by trained, certified staff:
-Your doctor should have special training from the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society. Ask to see their course certificate.
-The technicians operating the chamber should be certified hyperbaric technicians. Ask to confirm this.
Another safety step: Only use HBOT for its intended uses (see below)—don’t use it for unapproved reasons.
What HBOT Treats
HBOT is used for these specific conditions:
-Carbon monoxide or cyanide poisoning
-Crushing injuries
-Gas gangrene (gangrene with gas in tissues)
-Decompression sickness (“the bends”)
-Sudden/traumatic poor blood flow in arteries
-Certain slow-healing wounds (like diabetic wounds that won’t heal)
-Skin grafts and flaps
-Bone infection (osteomyelitis)
-Delayed injury from radiation
-Jaw bone death (osteonecrosis of the jaw)
-Flesh-eating disease (necrotizing bacterial soft tissue infections)
-Air/gas bubbles in blood vessels (air/gas embolism)
-Long-term infection (actinomycosis)
Insurance Coverage
Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance plans usually cover HBOT for the conditions above—but not always. Check with your insurance plan before starting treatment.
