Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment in which patients breathe in pure oxygen within a pressurized chamber or room, according to MayoClinic.com. The therapy works by raising the air pressure within a hyperbaric chamber to a higher level than atmospheric pressure. With this kind of setup, the patient is able to take in up to three times more oxygen than he might be able to normally. However, several risks may arise with this form of therapy.
May Cause Headaches, Vomiting, Fatigue
Due to the nature of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, patients can expect to experience minor, temporary effects such as headaches, vomiting and fatigue, according to Health Canada. Those who use the single-person chamber may be at risk of claustrophobia. The therapy is known to temporarily raise blood sugar levels, and it may also induce or exacerbate nearsightedness due to the swelling of the eye's lens.
May Lead to Oxygen Toxicity
Prolonged or repeated exposure to elevated levels of oxygen can lead to oxygen toxicity in patients, according to the American Cancer Society. Usually, it manifests as unconsciousness, convulsions and psychological damage. Other associated symptoms include seizures, pulmonary edema, retinal detachment and hemorrhage. Severe cases can lead to cell damage and death from total respiratory failure.
May Cause Barotrauma
The high pressure within the hyperbaric chamber can cause barotrauma, or damage caused by high pressure. Barotrauma particularly occurs in the ear, sinus, lung or inner ear. Reversible barotrauma has been known to occur in about 15 percent to 20 percent of patients who undergo the therapy, as noted in an article published in the October 1998 edition of the British Medical Journal.
Could Cause Decompression Effects Such as Pneumothorax or Gas Emboli
The decompression of the hyperbaric chamber can have some adverse effects on patients, as noted by MayoClinic.com. These include pneumothorax, a collection of gas in the chest cavity that can partially or fully collapse a lung; and gas emboli, which denotes bubbles of gas in the bloodstream that may form clots and lead to thrombosis or a stroke.
Risk of Fire
There is an inherent risk of fire or explosion due to the use of large amounts of concentrated oxygen, a highly flammable substance. As such, all materials or devices that could potentially start or fuel a fire must not be taken into the hyperbaric chamber, according to Health Canada. This includes battery-powered devices, lighters, alcohol, wigs and petroleum-based beauty or wound care products.
