The Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen
You know your body heals itself, but what you might not realize is that oxygen plays an important role in that healing process. Hyperbaric oxygen helps your blood carry more oxygen to your cells and tissues, and it can also help fight infections and stimulate the release of growth factors that promote healing.
Penn Wound Care and hyperbaric oxygen Medicine at Chester County Hospital offers hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to treat a variety of conditions including carbon monoxide poisoning, certain skin injuries and nonhealing wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers. The treatment involves breathing 100% pure oxygen inside a special chamber, which has a larger volume than a diving bell and is similar to what you would use for scuba diving.
Breathing Life into Recovery: Exploring the Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
During the 2-hour sessions, you can watch TV or a movie on the screen mounted above the chamber and talk with your healthcare provider, who is about a foot away from you and always within sight. The increased air pressure can cause a feeling of fullness in your ears (similar to flying in an airplane) but swallowing, yawning or opening and closing your mouth usually relieves the discomfort.
Some patients feel anxious when they first enter the hyperbaric chamber, and we understand that. To help ease these feelings, we have a specially trained staff and a special safety lock that allows us to allow family members or significant others into the room during treatments, though they cannot be in the chamber for the actual “dive.” We also may give you a sedative before your therapy session if needed.
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