Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a medical treatment procedure that involves the use of oxygen that is held at a higher than normal pressure, states the American Cancer Society. This therapy is used in cases of poor wound healing, carbon monoxide poisoning and to counteract some of the side effects of radiation therapy. Though hyperbaric oxygen therapy has proven effective in certain situations, physicians only use it sparingly due to the potential dangers of the treatment.
Seizures
Patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy are in danger of suffering from seizures, reports Creighton University Medical Center. The seizures are associated with oxygen toxicity, which is the presence of excess amounts of oxygen in the blood and central nervous system. Ten percent of patients who undergo at least 90 minutes of continuous hyperbaric therapy will develop seizures. In order to reduce the risk of this complication, patients should be allowed to breathe room air for 10 minutes for every 30 minutes of therapy.
Myopia
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can cause a patient to suffer from myopia, or shortsightedness, according to the American Cancer Society. The danger of developing this complication increases as patients receive multiple sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This myopia can last for weeks to months. Patients who notice a decrease in visual acuity after receiving treatment should consult their doctor.
Ear Injuries
Damage to the tissues of the ear can be caused by hyperbaric oxygen therapy, states MayoClinic.com. The tissues in the middle ear, including the eardrum, can be affected; the eardrum can be ruptured in some cases. The increased air pressure associated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy can also traumatize the inner ear structures. Prior to rupture, patients may experience pain in the ear. Patients may notice a significant decrease in hearing in the affected ear, accompanied by the leakage of fluid from the ear canal.
Lung Damage
Increased oxygen pressures can exacerbate previously existing damage or disorders in the lung, notes Creighton University Medical Center. Air can accumulate between the lungs and the chest wall and this can severely hinder the patient's ability to breathe. Furthermore, the increased oxygen pressure can lead to direct damage to lung tissues. This type of damage is called barotrauma. Patients who have pre-existing respiratory diseases or damage should not be treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
