Education
The Science
The Principles
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy promotes healing by increasing the level of oxygen in the tissue and improving the healing efficiency of the white blood cells. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) is defined as an intervention in which an individual breathes near 100% oxygen intermittently while inside a hyperbaric chamber that is pressurized to greater than sea level pressure. Compared to breathing normal pressure air at sea level, hyperbaric oxygen rich air will drive up to 1,200% more oxygen into the bloodstream. By providing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber, HBOT delivers 10-15 times more oxygen to tissues within the body. The increase in oxygen supply during a HBOT treatment offers many benefits.
THE BENEFITS:
Improved rate of healing
Decreases swelling and inflammation
Increases the body’s ability to fight infection
Deactivates toxins
Promotes new blood vessel growth
Helps remove toxins and metabolic waste
Conditions
The FDA currently recognizes Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for 14 medical conditions, all of which are generally covered by insurance. HBOT may also benefit many conditions not yet approved by the FDA.
FDA Approved Conditions
MVS Wound Care & Hyperbarics treats the following medical conditions approved by Medicare and many insurance companies.
- Diabetic Wounds
- Chronic Refractory Osteomyelitis
- Radiation Tissue Injury
- Thermal Burns
- Compromised Amputation, Skin Graft, or Flap Site
- Acute Arterial Insufficiency
- Sudden Hearing Loss
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Cyanide Poisoning
- Decompression Sickness
- Air or Gas Embolism
- Gas Gangrene
- Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections
- Acute Traumatic Injuries / Crush Injuries
- Actinomycosis
- Intracranial Abscess
- Severe Anemia
Not Approved Conditions
Currently, MVS Wound Care & Hyperbarics will treat the following medical conditions that have not yet been approved by the FDA. Treatment is on a case-by-case basis after a consultation and medical review is conducted by our team:
- Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI)
- Lyme Disease
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Fibromyalgia
- Crohn’s Disease
- Complex Regional Pain
Please note that the therapeutic benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy is well-documented and supported by on-going research for many conditions not yet approved by the FDA. Consequently, these conditions are not covered by insurance; therefore, self-pay for HBOT treament is available.
Disclaimer:
HBOT Treatment – Guidelines
Our certified Hyperbaric Oxygen physicians and medical staff at MVS Wound Care & Hyperbaricsl are here to help you. They are passionate about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and theyOur certified Hyperbaric Oxygen physicians and medical staff at MVS Wound Care & Hyperbarics are here to help you. They are passionate about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and they are confident that their customized treatment protocols they design for each patient will lead to better heath and overall well-being.
Treatment plans vary according to individual diagnosis. Each hyperbaric oxygen therapy session typically lasts two hours. The number of treatments needed to achieve the full benefit is based on guidelines determined by research, your insurance provider and endorsed by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society.
We’ll create a treatment plan specifically for you based on your diagnosis. Many conditions require 20-40 treatments or more. In general, a treatment session typically lasts 2 hours, and you will receive one per day, five days a week. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is cumulative, so the treatments build up to the desired effect.
Prior to arriving for your first Hyperbaric appointment, please review all documents that were given to you at your initial visit.
- Please arrive at least 20 minutes before your appointment to allow time for you to change and prepare for treatment
- Please adhere to all safety requirements and policies
- Please sign-in at the front desk upon arrive for every visit
- Please contact the office if you know in advance of any days you will be unable to have treatment.
- To protect the privacy and safety of all our patients, only patients are allowed in the hyperbaric chamber area.
PATIENT SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is a safe medical treatment in which the patient lays comfortably in a hyperbaric chamber breathing 100% Oxygen under increased atmospheric pressure. The following is a list of safety requirements that must be adhered to in order for the patient to receive His or Her treatment.
Under NO circumstances are the following products to ever be on a patient during a HBOT treatment:
- Any and All types of Deodorant, Perfumes, Cologne, Lotion, Body oils, Powders
- Hair Products, such as hair spray, gels, mousse, pomade, hair extensions, wigs
- Contacts, glasses, Hearing aids, Dentures, prosthetics, nail polish, artificial nails
- All electronic and battery-operated devices (medical or non-medical), cell phones, iPod, pagers, cameras
- Only plastic tape is allowed, no silk or paper tape is allowed into the chamber
- All jewelry must be removed. No metal objects of any type
- All clothing, shoes, stockings, any items not made of 100% cotton
- Make-up, tampons, sanitary pads
- Flammable items such as anything containing grease, alcohol, petroleum or oils of any type, matching, lighter, cigarettes
Please note that all of these safety requirements are for when the patient is in the chamber receiving treatment.
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECS OF HBOT
During hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the air pressure in the chamber is higher than normal air pressure. The increase air pressure will create a temporary feeling of fullness in your ears and possibly sinuses.
You also might notice some noise and temperatures changes during the compression and decompression phases of your treatment.
If you are a diabetic your blood sugars might decrease during the therapy. Please make sure you have eaten prior to treatment as well as have emptied your bladder.
It is normal to feel fatigued after Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. This is a normal side effect, and should not limit your normal activities. If you feel that it is prolonged excessive fatigue, please notify us.
The shape of your eye can temporarily change for up to six weeks following hyperbaric treatments. You may actually notice an improvement in your vision. If you wear glasses or contacts do not change your prescription without letting your Ophthalmologists know that you are having Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy.
For most conditions, the therapy last approximately two hours, so please make sure you have used the restroom just prior to the treatment.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: FAQs
What is a mono-place hyperbaric chamber?
A mono-place hyperbaric chamber is used to administer hyperbaric oxygen therapy to one patient at a time. Patients are enclosed in a large, transparent pressurized chamber, allowing their lungs to absorb greater amounts of oxygen as they breathe and consequently delivering more oxygen throughout the body.
How does HBOT work?
The hyperbaric oxygen environment changes the relative pressures of oxygen, nitrogen, and other gases in the blood, organs, and tissues. Normally oxygen is carried by hemoglobin on red blood cells. Under higher pressures, oxygen dissolves in the blood plasma. Breathing pure oxygen in a hyperbaric chamber increases the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood and creates free radicals that stimulate cellular signaling.
What conditions are treated by Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
HBOT is very effective in treating a wide range of conditions, and medical research of new applications for HBOT continue to be discovered in the U.S. and internationally. HyperHeal Hyperbarics treats the following medical conditions approved by Medicare and many insurance companies:
- Diabetic Wounds
- Chronic Refractory Osteomyelitis
- Radiation Tissue Injury
- Thermal Burns
- Compromised Amputation, Skin Graft, or Flap Site Which Has Failed to Heal Properly
- Acute Arterial Insufficiency
- Sudden Hearing Loss
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Cyanide Poisoning
- Decompression Sickness
- Air or Gas Embolism
- Gas Gangrene
- Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections
- Acute Traumatic Injuries / Crush Injuries
- Actinomycosis
- Intracranial Abscess
- Severe Anemia
Are there other conditions that can benefit from Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Currently, HyperHeal Hyperbarics will treat the following off-label conditions on a case-by-case basis after a consultation and medical review is conducted by our team:
- Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI)
- Lyme Disease
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Fibromyalgia
- Crohn’s Disease
- Complex Regional Pain
Please note: The term “off-label” refers to medical conditions that have not yet been approved by the FDA. Most off-label conditions are not covered by insurance; therefore, self-pay for HBOT off-label treatments is available.
How can I make an appointment?
Talk with your doctor or call us directly at 410-433-4300. You can select the location closest to home. HyperHeal has offices in Rosedale, Glen Burnie, Cockeysville, and Towson.
How many treatments/sessions will I need?
A treatment plan is based on your diagnosis or condition. The majority of conditions require 10-40 treatments or more depending on the severity of the individual’s case.
Can I miss a treatment?
We do not recommend missing any treatments. However, there may be times when you are not able to receive a treatment because of conflicts in scheduling or health complications. We require 24-hour cancellation notice if you are unable to make the appointment.
What does the treatment feel like?
People should not feel anything once inside the chamber. During the compression, people have experienced a slight pressure in their ears (can be compared to that feeling you get in. your ears when you are on a plane).
Is there anything I can do while I am inside the chamber?
The treatment rooms at HyperHeal are equipped with video entertainment systems, so you can watch a movie while receiving your treatment. Some people take a nap or listen to music.
Are there any side effects?
No effective medical treatment comes without the risk of some adverse reactions. The rates of complication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy are very low (<1% of patients have side effects). Potentially serious side effects include trauma to the middle ear, the eye (progressive myopia or cataracts), the lungs (pulmonary edema), and the brain (seizure), as well as claustrophobia.
Can I eat and/or take medications before treatment?
Take all medications as directed by your doctor. Eat before you arrive. Please avoid smoking immediately before and after hyperbaric treatment.
Do I need someone to drive me to/from treatment?
No, HBOT is a non-invasive treatment that does not require any sedatives or other mind-altering medications. Therefore, you can drive yourself to and from treatment, unless you are otherwise unable to do so.
Who will be with me?
The hyperbaric technician will remain in the room at all times while you are inside the chamber, and a physician will be nearby as well.
What kind of background/training do the technicians have?
HyperHeal hyperbaric technicians must first be an emergency medical technician, respiratory therapist, dive medical technician or RN. Then one must complete a 40-hour introductory course and 480 hours of supervised chamber operations prior to taking the certification exam. All technicians work in accordance with and under the supervision of a licensed physician at all times.
What if I am claustrophobic?
HyperHeal chambers are the largest available. The chamber is comprised of a clear acrylic tube, allowing the patient to see out in all directions. Most patients do not have trouble with claustrophobia, especially after receiving several treatments.
Can I be treated if I have a cold/flu?
Let the chamber technician know if you are having any symptoms unrelated to the diagnosis for which you are being treated.
Can a treatment be stopped at any time?
The chamber technician has full control over the chamber, and a session can be stopped at any time.
What should I wear?
You will be given a set of all-cotton scrubs to change into for your treatment. Do not wear any perfumes, lotions, makeup, nail polish or haircare products when you come in for treatment.
How to Get Started:
To find out if HBOT is right for you, schedule a consultation with one of our top medical professionals.
