Hyperbaric Chambers – Clinical Infectious Diseases Specialist

We have two hyperbaric chambers in our facility that are available 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Our hyperbaric chambers are always accompanied by a trained technician.

What is it?

Hyperbaric literally means “high pressure”. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO2T) is a medical treatment during which a patient breathes pure, highly pressurized oxygen in a Hyperbaric Chamber. Breathing such a high concentration of oxygen in a highly pressurized atmosphere has proven to have a wide variety of health benefits.

How does it work?

The air we normally breathe is composed of Oxygen and Nitrogen. In a hyperbaric chamber, a patient breathes 100% pure pressurized oxygen which saturates the blood with high levels of oxygen. Research shows that this super saturation of oxygen in the body’s tissues accelerates the healing process and has many beneficial effects including:

Angiogenesis
Bactericidal
Increased oxygen delivery to the injured tissue
Advanced wound healing
Improved infection control
Preservation of damaged tissues
Reduced effects from toxic substances
Increased white blood cell activity
New tissue development
Edema reduction by vasoconstriction
Increased oxygen tension in hypoxic areas
Blocks cytotoxic effects of carbon monoxide
Blocks hypoxia assocated with cyanide poinsoning

What can I expect during an HBO2 Treatment?

During your HBO2T, you will lay down in a clear Sechrist Mono-place Hyberbaric Chamber. The chamber will close and fill with pressurized 100% pure oxygen which you will breathe through the duration of your treatment session. While in the chamber, you will be closely monitored by a trained hyberbaric technician. During your treatment, you are free to watch tv, listen to music, nap, or converse with the staff.
The treatment itself is painless. At times during the treatment, you may feel a plugging in your ears as they respond to the chamber pressurization (similar to when you are flying in an airplane or driving down a mountain)

How long do treatments last?

Hyperbaric oxygen treatments typically last 60 to 90 minutes.
Usually once each day, 5 days a week

How many treatments will I need?

The number of treatments is individualized to each patient.
Some conditions require as many as 20-40 treatments, although some emergency situations will only require one or two treatments.
The course of treatment will vary depending on your body’s response to hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

How do I prepare for treatment?

Smoking and Caffeine: Since use of tobacco and caffeine products constrict blood vessels and limit the amount of blood and oxygen that can be delivered to your body tissues, you should not use tobacco and caffeine products during the course of your treatment.
Provide the hyperbaric medicine team with a complete list of medications, including non-prescription drugs that you are taking. Some medications change the body’s response to oxygen and these will be discussed with you individually.
Alert your medical team if you are not feeling well: cold and flu symptoms such as fever cough, sore throat, vomiting, headache, diarrhea or general body aches may require a temporary delay in your treatment schedule.
Clothing: Personal items are not permitted within the chamber. You will be provided with cotton garments to wear during therapy. Cotton is necessary in order to reduce the potential for static electricity. For this same reason the following items must also be excluded from the chamber: