Side Effects & Complications Of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

1. Side Effects & Complications Of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy is an excellent way of promoting wound healing in case the patient is suffering from chronic, non-healing wounds, thermal burns, or any type of severe injuries. But it is also worth taking a look at some of the most common side effects of HBOT therapy. The good news is that the therapy contains a few mild and temporary side effects and the patients will be informed about them before taking the treatment. Let’s first know what HBOT therapy is. During the hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the patient is entered into an oxygen chamber to breathe in pure oxygen in air pressure levels 1.5 to 3 times higher than normal air pressure. It helps in healing the wound by filling the blood with enough oxygen accelerating tissue repairing and restoring normal body function. Wound Care Experts are using this therapy to treat many conditions from severe burns to some specific types of wounds. But similar to all other medical procedures, it has some risks. Here they are as follows: Side Effects Of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy During the therapy, the patient is required to take breaks and breathe in normal air. This can prevent the tissue in the body from absorbing too much oxygen. However, there are possible symptoms or side effects that can occur after the therapy. 1. Visual Refractive Changes (Eye Issues) - Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can cause a change in the shape of the lens in the eyes temporarily. Some vision changes are common in HBOT therapy including myopia, faster-developing cataracts. But these changes get back to their pretreatment state within six to eight weeks after the treatment. The Wound Care in Riverside will regularly assess a patient's vision to see if there are any changes and generate a plan if there are any vision risks. eyelid twitching, blurry vision, and 2. Sinus Squeeze - Sinuses are the air-filled spaces in the skull and they can get affected due to the pressure change. Though the body normally adjusts to the pressure changes very effectively, the disruption occurs when the pressure change is too fast or the

2. pressure-equalizing systems are being compromised. If the pressure is too intense, it can lead to pain in the cheeks, eyes, and/or forehead and nosebleed. 3. Claustrophobia - Due to the hyperbaric oxygen chamber being confined and enclosed, some patients can feel Claustrophobia and those who are already Claustrophobic can even experience worsening the situation. This is one of the most common side effects of HBOT therapy. If the Claustrophobic symptoms become too severe, pre-treatment sedation can be opted by Bedside Care Specialist USA. They will thoroughly assess whether the chamber is compatible with you or not. 4. Hypoglycemia - If the patient is diabetic, they may feel a drop in blood sugar levels during the therapy. To prevent this, the patients are recommended to eat before taking the treatment, and also, their blood sugar level is monitored. If it is low, then the session may need to be rescheduled. 5. Barotrauma Of The Ear -The patients may feel pressure in the air during the procedure. But if there is pain, it is a matter of concern. Wound Care Experts will

3. evaluate whether the patient can comfortably clear the ear by swallowing, drinking water, or pressing the nose and blowing. If the pressure is not released, it can advant pain. 6. Fatigue - HBOT therapy has a great impact on a patient's energy after the treatment. Some may feel drained out while some may feel rejuvenated and full of energy after their therapy. AlsoRead: https://woundcaresurgeon.weebly.com/blog/know-about-the-benefits-of- hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy Other Side Effects & Complications Of HBOT Therapy Include: ● Cataract maturation ● Round or oval window rupture ● Tooth squeeze ● Pneumothorax or pulmonary barotrauma ● Oxygen toxicity seizures ● Pulmonary oxygen toxicity ● Decompression sickness etc. To avoid all these side effects & complications, the patients are required to inform their doctors about their surgeries, sickness & medications.