|
Because oxygen
inspired under
increased
atmospheric pressure
is a potent drug,
hyperbaric oxygen
must be administered
carefully to avoid
toxic effects.
A patient’s clinical
response and other
factors often
dictate the number
of treatments
required. Emergency
cases, such as
carbon monoxide
poisoning or
cerebral arterial
gas embolism, may
only require one or
two treatments in a
hyperbaric chamber.
Non-healing problem
wounds may call for
as many as 20 to 30
treatments.
Radiation tissue
injury may require
60 or more
hyperbaric oxygen
treatments for
optimal benefit. |
|
 |
Except for decompression sickness and
cerebral arterial gas embolism,
treatments in a hyperbaric chamber last
about two hours. Treatments are
administered once or twice a day. In
some cases, treatments are administered
every eight hours. Most acute conditions
are treated in less than 10 days.
Chronic conditions may require 30 or
more treatments. In some cases, patients
can watch TV/movies within the
hyperbaric chamber or listen to the
radio during therapy. |
