Every technology has its downside. It is a matter of whether the downsides are severe or nothing to worry about. The same thing applies to hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers. However, you should expect some potential side effects after undergoing HBOT. Some of the side effects include lightheadedness and fatigue. And probably a couple of others you need to be aware of.
Unlike other publications, this article will tell you the truth about HBOT and its potential side effects. After going through this piece, it will be easy to decide if investing in HBOT is worth the effort and resources. Read the rest of the post to find out.
What is HBOT?
HBOT is a short expression for hyperbaric oxygen therapy. As you may have figured out, this is an advanced form of oxygen therapy. It is a therapy that subjects users to pure oxygen under higher pressure. The pressure is slightly higher than standard atmospheric pressure. It is about two or three times the normal atmospheric pressure.
Now that we have gotten the definition of HBOT out of the way let us revisit the main issue – potential side effects and complications of HBOT.
Possible Side Effects of HBOT
While the side effects of HBOT may not be as severe as you think, you must be aware of them. That will also help you make an informed decision when purchasing an HBOT unit. Let’s go over the possible complications of using an HBOT chamber one after the other.
Change in Vision
Vision change is one of the possible severe side effects of using HBOT. That can be attributed to the change in pressure experienced when the user is inside the unit. However, this change in vision is not something to worry about because it fades out after a short while. The hyperbaric brand you are buying is also crucial. Consider buying from an established brand like OxyHelp because you are less likely to experience change in vision after using their product.
Lung Damage
Theoretically, this is one of the side effects of HBOT, even though nothing of that nature has been reported. However, researchers have warned that exposing yourself to high oxygen concentrations under extremely high pressure is not good because it can inflate the lungs beyond normal.
Again, the chances of experiencing anything like this when you buy standard HBOTs are almost down to zero. Get a hyperbaric chamber that has been safely designed, and lung damage will be the least of your worries. OxyHelp chambers have a maximum pressure of 2ATM, which makes them safe for use.
Oxygen Poisoning
Oxygen poisoning is dreaded among health experts because of its ability to damage users’ lungs. As such, experts have recommended safe time limits for using HBOT chambers. Some suggest users should not use it for more than some hours. The best thing to do here is to ensure you buy an HBOT brand with such specifications. They must write the maximum number of hours you can stay in the unit. OxyHelp hyperbaric chambers can be used for two hours or a little more.
Sinus Damage
This has to do with damage to your eardrums. Skeptics have pointed this to the extremely high pressures of some HBOT machines. However, these have yet to be reported by users of modern HBOT chambers. We will likely never see anything like that because of how HBOT machines have evolved and advanced over the past decades. The pressure inside OxyHelp HBOT chambers never builds up to dangerous levels. The highest pressure is kept at a safe level, and you can also use the control unit inside to adjust the pressure settings to a suitable value.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Cautions
HBOT is not appropriate for some people. Going into a high-pressure machine will be a grave mistake if you belong to that category. Therefore, who is supposed to stay away from HBOT chambers? This section will highlight that set of people.
- Those with specific lung diseases – People with serious lung diseases may want to speak with their health advisors before having anything to do with HBOT. That is necessary to avoid a total collapse of their lungs.
- Just had an ear injury or surgery – If you have just come out of a successful ear surgery or have an ear injury, HBOT may not be appropriate for you. And while this may depend on the extent of the injury, you should speak with a medical professional first. They are best positioned to tell you whether HBOT will affect you negatively.
- Claustrophobic – If you are the type that hates staying in small, confined spaces, you have hopes for using HBOT chambers. Formerly, people who have claustrophobia didn’t want to have anything to do with HBOT. But thankfully, OxyHelp has made that a thing of the past. They now design monoplace HBOT chambers with clear acrylic that allows you to notice your surroundings. Better still, claustrophobics can get a multiplace HBOT chamber that allows someone else to be inside the machine with them.
Precautions
The most effective way to ensure you optimize the use of HBOT is by using it under the recommendation of a health expert. If you use it at home, ensure it is for staying fit. Only use it for treatment when you know the sicknesses it can handle. Please, do not do anything when you don’t have the clearance to do that. Also, consult your insurance company to know if your insurance plan covers the use of HBOT.
Conclusion
It is good you know the potential side effects that may accompany the use of HBOT. Various cautions and precautions have also been explained in this post. OxyHelp hyperbaric oxygen chambers are designed to meet safety regulations and international standards. Check out their monoplace and multiplace chambers and see which will be best for you. Their chambers are very safe for use.