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FAQ
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 What
are the benefits of HBOT?
It has long been known that healing many areas
of the body cannot take place without appropriate
oxygen levels in the tissue. Most illnesses
and injuries occur, and often linger, at the cellular
or tissue level. In many cases, such as:
circulatory problems; non-healing wounds; and
strokes, adequate oxygen cannot reach the damaged
area and the body's natural healing ability is
unable to function properly. Hyperbaric
oxygen therapy provides this extra oxygen naturally
and with minimal side effects.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves the quality
of life of the patient in many areas when standard
medicine is not working. Many conditions
such as stroke, cerebral palsy, head injuries,
and chronic fatigue have responded favorably to
HBOT.
What
conditions does HBOT treat?
Hyperbaric oxygen is used to treat all conditions
which benefit from increased tissue oxygen availability,
as well as infections where it can be used for
its antibiotic properties, either as the primary
therapy, or in conjunction with other drugs.
Insurance and Medicare consider the following
conditions for HBOT to be covered for payment:
Air or Gas Embolism
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Compartment Syndrome/Crush Injury/Other Traumatic
Ischemias
Decompression Sickness (Bends)
Diabetic and Selected Wounds
Exceptional Blood Loss (Anemia)
Gas Gangrene
Intracranial Abscess
Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection
Osteoradionecrosis and Radiation Tissue Damage
Osteomyelitis (Refractory)
Skin Grafts and (Compromised) Flaps
Thermal Burns
The following conditions are off-label which may
or may not be covered by insurance or Medicare:
Autism
Cerebral Palsy
Lyme Disease
Migraine
Multiple Sclerosis
Near Drowning
Recovery from Plastic Surgery
Sports Injuries
Stroke
Traumatic Brain Injury
Are
there different types of chambers?
There are basically two types of chambers: monoplace
and multiplace.
Monoplace chambers are designed to treat a single
person pressurized with 100% oxygen.
Multiplace chambers are designed to hold several
people at one time and oxygen is delivered through
a mask or a hood.
At Midwest Hyperbaric Institute, we have monoplace
chambers.
How
should patients prepare for treatment?
Only clean cotton clothing is allowed in the chamber.
No cosmetics, perfumes, hair preparations, deodorants,
wigs or jewelry are allowed in the chamber. The
technician needs to know if any medications, including
non prescription drugs, are being taken
by the patient, and patients are advised not to
take alcohol or carbonated drinks for four hours
prior to treatment. In most cases, patients
should give up smoking and any other tobacco products
during their treatment period, as they interfere
with the body's ability to transport oxygen.
How
is HBOT administered?
HBOT is administered in a private setting in state-of-the-art,
monoplace chamber of clear acrylic. This allows
our trained technicians to closely monitor the
patient and permits the patient to readily see
outside the chamber. Patients are in constant
view and communication with the attending technician
via an intercom or may watch a movie, listen to
music, or just rest.
Is
HBOT safe?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is prescribed by a physician
and performed under medical supervision. Although
there are minor risks like all medical treatments,
overall hyperbaric oxygen therapy is extremely
safe. The risks will be discussed with you before
you sign your consent form for therapy.
Are
there any side effects?
The most common side effect is barotrauma to the
ears and sinuses caused by the change in pressure.
To minimize this risk, patients learn techniques
to promote adequate clearing of the ears during
compression or tubes may be inserted in the ears.
Occasionally some patients may experience changes
in their vision during their treatment period.
These changes are usually minor and temporary.
A rare side effect is oxygen toxicity which is
caused by administering too much oxygen.
What
information does the technician need to know from
the patient prior to HBOT?
· If you have any cold or flu
symptoms, fever, sinus or nasal congestion, or
chest congestion.
· If there is a possibility
that you may be pregnant.
· If there has been a change
in any of your medications.
· If you have skipped a meal
prior to your HBO treatment.
· If you are diabetic and did
not take your insulin prior to your treatment.
· If you have any concerns or
anxiety.
How
does hyperbaric oxygen help brain injury or stroke?
When cells in the brain die, either from trauma
or lack of oxygen, blood plasma leaks out into
surrounding brain tissue causing swelling and
reducing blood flow. These otherwise normal
cells go dormant because they can't function without
the appropriate amount of oxygen. HBOT dramatically
increases the oxygen carried in the blood plasma,
making oxygen available to heal damaged capillary
walls, preventing plasma leakage and reducing
swelling. As the swelling decreases,
blood flow can be restored to the dormant tissue
(neovascularization) and these cells then have
the potential to function again.
How
does hyperbaric oxygen help a child with cerebral
palsy (CP) or traumatic brain injury (TBI)?
In CP and TBI patients, some of the injured brain
tissues may be "dormant" and non-functioning.
HBOT can stimulate these "dormant" tissues and
return them to more normal function. In
young children, cognitive function and spasticity
can be improved.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, used in conjunction
with other therapies, ensures the best recovery
possible for children with cerebral palsy and
traumatic brain injury.
How
are patients referred for treatment?
Patients are accepted either by self referral or by physician referral. Patients are evaluated by our staff and treated based on their specific needs. To schedule an evaluation, please call us at 504-309-4948
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