Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment
What is hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT)?
During hyperbaric oxygen treatment, a patient breathes in 100 percent oxygen inside a pressurized chamber. Quickly delivering high concentrations of oxygen to the bloodstream helps speed the healing process of wounds, while helping to fight certain types of infections. HBOT also stimulates the growth of new blood vessels, improving circulation and aiding the growth of new tissue.
Used in combination with other medical treatments, HBOT can be used to effectively treat a variety of conditions, including:
- Wounds that have not healed in several weeks
- Crush injuries
- Necrotizing (‘flesh eating’) soft tissue infections
- Oteomyelitis (bone infection)
- Radiation tissue damage
- Skin grafts and flaps
- Diabetic wounds of the lower extremity
- Acute traumatic injury
- Gangrene
- Pressure ulcers
Getting ready for your visit
For safety reasons, there are certain items not allowed inside the hyperbaric chamber. Please do not wear or bring these items with you to your HBOT therapy:
- Makeup
- Perfume/aftershave
- Hairspray/hair oils
- Wigs/hairpieces
- Nail polish
- Alcohol-based products
- Petroleum-based products
- Cell phones/pagers
- Metallic items (e.g. jewelry, titanium frame eyeglasses, keys, watches, coins)
- Flammable materials or heat-producing items (e.g. heating pads, lighters, cigarettes)
- Hearing aids
- Food, gum or candy
What can I expect during my hyperbaric oxygen treatment?
You will receive complete instructions when you come to Carilion Clinic for your first hyperbaric oxygen treatment, but here are some things to expect:
- For safety reasons, you will change into a 100-percent cotton garment provided by Carilion Clinic.
- Once inside the chamber, you will be comfortably positioned, the pressure will gradually be increased, and the temperature will temporarily rise.
- You may expect a ‘fullness’ in your ears (similar to the feeling of pressure when flying in an airplane or driving in a mountainous area) as your ears adjust to pressure changes. Your technician will give you tips on how to relieve this pressure before your treatment begins.
- Most treatments last about 2 hours, during which time you can watch TV, relax, or even sleep.
Are there any possible HBOT side effects?
You may experience temporary vision changes that should return to normal a few weeks after your therapy is completed. Because of this, Carilion Clinic’s physicians recommend that you do not change your eyewear prescription during the course of your HBOT therapy.
Some patients may also experience fatigue during the treatment phase. This is completely normal.
Can I come in for HBOT treatment if I’m sick or on medications?
Here are some things to keep in mind before you come in for treatment:
- Inform the staff if you have a cold, cough, flu, fever, sore throat, chills, vomiting or diarrhea
- Inform the staff if you are taking any medications—or have changes in your medications—during the course of your treatment
- If you are diabetic, be sure to eat properly and continue to take your medication to control your blood sugar level. Your blood sugar level will be checked before and after each treatment.
For more information on wound care—including hyperbaric oxygen treatments—at Carilion Clinic, please call 540-224-4325 or 1-866-519-4325.
Carilion Clinic Location Information
