If you’ve ever heard of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), you may have wondered if it’s real. And if it is, what can it do for you and your body? If you’re looking into HBOT as a potential treatment option, here are some answers to common questions about this medical practice:
- It is widely used to treat wounds and burn: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a form of medical treatment that uses high pressure and oxygen to help heal wounds and burns. It has been shown to reduce scarring, increase blood flow, and promote the growth of new skin cells.
- It can be used to treat neurological and cardiovascular conditions: In addition to its use in treating wounds, hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been shown to be effective in treating neurological and cardiovascular conditions. These include stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, and heart attack.
- It is also used to treat carbon monoxide poisoning: You may have heard of hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning. This can happen in enclosed spaces, like a car or house, where there’s no circulation of air and CO builds up. The same principle applies to scuba diving: if you spend too long underwater without adequate oxygen supply, your blood will become saturated with CO from the air around you.
Hyperbaric chambers are used to treat both types of exposure, inhaling too much carbon monoxide and being exposed to high levels of CO for too long, by supplying pure oxygen under pressure so that more oxygen molecules can be carried into each breath than would normally be possible at sea level (or underwater).
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been around since the 1800s: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been around since the 1800s, when it was used to treat carbon monoxide poisoning. The therapy has since been used to treat wounds and burns, neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular conditions such as aneurysms, and more.
- It is an expensive treatment, but it’s often covered by insurance: While hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a relatively expensive treatment, it’s often covered by insurance. This can be a big advantage for people who want to try this treatment but aren’t sure if they can afford it.
- You must have a doctor’s prescription to get this treatment: You must have a doctor’s prescription to get this treatment. You will need to go to a center for the treatment and at least once a day for a number of sessions, depending on the severity of your condition.
- There are home machines that allow you to breathe pure oxygen without going to a center: There are home machines that allow you to breathe pure oxygen without going to a center. You can buy oxygen chambers which are usually covered by some insurance plans. However, if your doctor recommends it, they may not cover the cost of treatment because they aren’t considered medically necessary by most insurers.
If your doctor recommends this type of therapy and your insurance doesn’t cover it, ask what the out-of-pocket expense would be per session (they vary based on location).
Conclusion:
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be a lifesaving treatment and requires a doctor’s prescription. If you’re interested in learning more about this treatment, talk with your therapy service provider.
