Is hyperbaric oxygen therapy safe?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) delivers a powerful dose of oxygen to your body's tissues. It is becoming more popular for the physiological and energetic support achieved from the increased oxygen levels. HBOT has an excellent safety record and is generally considered to be an extremely safe procedure. Severe adverse reactions are rare and typically not seen at lower dosages. When we say lower dosages, we refer to mild hyperbaric as a pressure of 1.3 ATA.
Typical pressures used for general health and wellness range between 1.3 - 2.0 ATA.
Let's examine the potential risks and safety measures of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to help you on your path to better health
I assume you know how hyperbaric oxygen therapy works. If not, read here for more information.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Risks
The most common concern is people who complain of ear pain or discomfort. Roughly 10% of hyperbaric patients experience ear discomfort, similar to someone who has congested ears and is on a landing plane.
Barotrauma sounds like a scary medical word, but it is an injury caused by a change in air pressure affecting the ear.
The pressure changes inside the hyperbaric chamber can cause ear discomfort or pain, so it is essential to learn how to clear your ears before entering the hyperbaric chamber.
How to Prevent Ear Pain
Ear pain from pressurizing in a hyperbaric chamber can often be managed by clearing your ears with techniques like yawning, holding your nose and blowing or swallowing, and slowing down the time it takes to pressurize and depressurize the hyperbaric chamber. There is no rush when pressurizing your ears and no reason to let your ears hurt. Tell the hyperbaric attendant to stop the pressurization and wait for the pressure to equalize before continuing the session.
If you are treating at home, use the balance valve inside the hyperbaric chamber to stop your pressurization and clear your ears. Once your ears have cleared, then you continue pressurizing. It does get easier to clear your ears the more oxygen therapy sessions you complete.
Oxygen Toxicity
Breathing pure oxygen at high pressure for extended periods can lead to oxygen toxicity. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, seizures, and even death. Death and seizures sound serious, but that is why you follow the recommendations and let your doctor know if there are complications or concerns. HBOT sessions are carefully monitored and limited to 60-90 minute sessions to minimize this risk.
How to Prevent Oxygen Toxicity
Oxygen toxicity and other severe complications of hyperbaric oxygen therapy are extremely rare for pressures below 2.0 ATA at 60-minute sessions. So, keeping your oxygen therapy at these lower pressures and within time limits will help avoid these concerns.
Oxygen toxicity can also be minimized by taking 5-minute air breaks. These air breaks are recommended for higher pressures and longer oxygen therapy sessions.
A person can complete two oxygen therapy sessions daily, but there should be a minimum of a 4-hour break between sessions, which minimizes the risk of oxygen toxicity.
Visual Disturbances
In rare cases, HBOT can cause temporary visual disturbances, such as blurred vision or changes in color perception.
Claustrophobia
The enclosed environment of the hyperbaric chamber can be uncomfortable for people with claustrophobia.
How to work with claustrophobia in a hyperbaric chamber. Following the steps listed in this article truly helps increase patients' comfort inside the hyperbaric chamber.
In a clinical setting, maintain communication with the hyperbaric technician through the window or walkie-talkie system.
When purchasing a hyperbaric chamber for your home, choose one with multiple windows, as this helps the patient see out and brings more light inside. Also, selecting an HBOT where you can sit up rather than lie down for your oxygen therapy allows the patient to relax more.
Fire Hazard
Oxygen is highly flammable. While a soft hyperbaric chamber can operate without an oxygen concentrator, many people choose to add supplemental oxygen to potentially enhance the benefits. Without a concentrator, the oxygen level in the hyperbaric chamber is around 20%, similar to our everyday atmosphere. However, adding a concentrator can increase the oxygen level to 96% medical-grade oxygen, requiring extra caution.
To prevent fire hazards, always keep a fire extinguisher readily available when operating a hyperbaric chamber
Who should not use a hyperbaric chamber?
Pneumothorax: A person with untreated pneumothorax (collapsed lung). Pneumothorax is a condition where air leaks into the space around the lungs, causing them to collapse. Anyone wanting to enter a hyperbaric chamber with an untreated pneumothorax must have a chest tube inserted and evaluated by a physician before entering a hyperbaric chamber.
Pregnancy: The effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on a developing fetus are not fully understood; therefore, Hbot is not recommended to use hyperbaric oxygen therapy during pregnancy unless indicated for acute life-threatening conditions.
Sinus Infection or Ear Surgery: The pressure changes can make it challenging to clear your ears. Once your sinus infection or doctor has cleared you from your ear surgery, you can start your oxygen therapy sessions.
Conclusion
Based on the information, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is generally considered a safe procedure. While there are potential risks, such as barotrauma, oxygen toxicity, and visual disturbances, these risks are relatively low when HBOT is administered under proper medical supervision and at appropriate pressures and durations.
60-Minute HBOT Sessions
1.3 ATA Soft Hyperbaric Chamber – Considered to be highly safe
2.0 ATA Hard Hyperbaric Chamber – Minimal concerns -considered very low risk
2.5 ATA Hard Hyperbaric Chamber – Higher risk- Serious reactions may occur but are still rare
Click here for more common Frequently Asked Questions on hyperbaric oxygen and if you still have more questions contact Healing The Hyperbaric Way at 360-230-8253 to speak to a live hyperbaric specialist now.