Ever wondered why the sales of Oximeters are on the rise?. People want to measure their pulse rates and oxygen levels regularly. Why? The spread of the Covid 19 pandemic could be a reason. Oxygen levels in the human body decrease rapidly due to Covid 19. Immunity is on the decline. When oxygen levels are low, immunity declines. The normal levels for healthy people measured in a pulse oximeter are between 95% to 100%. As the oxygen level goes below 90% the human body is more prone to infections. A reading of 60% or below requires the immediate need for oxygen. It is where hyperbaric chambers come into play. Oxygen at high pressure in a pressurized environment is called hyperbaric chambers. The treatment is called hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).
Normal human beings consume approximately 10,000 liters or more of oxygen on an average daily. We lay a lot of importance on water and need to be hydrated. Fine, but oxygen is too. The building blocks of our body, the cells, require oxygen to regenerate. As oxygen level goes below 60% as per the oximeter reading, it can be life-threatening if not fatal. Anaerobic bacteria thrive on low oxygen levels. They multiply rapidly, and within no time, your complete body gets infected. Gangrene, AIDS, Covid 19, carbon monoxide poisoning, sinus, anemia, osteomyelitis, and non-healing wounds are the most common diseases due to lack of oxygen. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy or hyperbaric oxygen is immediately required.
In hyperbaric chambers, the harmful toxins in the body get oxidized. Harmful bacteria eliminated. A sealed chamber where oxygen at high pressure with decompression and recompression treats low oxygen levels in the body. The treatment lasts from a few minutes to 2 hours. The requirement is to lay in the hyperbaric chamber for the treatment duration. Clean body, loose-fitting clothes, and covered wounds are a requirement. Clothes kept to a minimum is better. The severity of the infection coupled with the complications decides the session time and number of sessions in the hyperbaric chamber. For severe infections like non-healing wounds, gangrene the number of sessions could reach 40. The treatment duration could be anywhere between 4 to 6 weeks.
Hyperbaric chambers are safe when properly used and as per specifications. High oxygen levels at high pressure could have lasting damage on the cells of the human body. Visual refraction, middle ear damage, nearsightedness, barotrauma, hypoglycemia, tooth squeeze, pneumothorax, oval rupture can occur. Driving ruled out after hyperbaric chamber treatment for at least 3 hours. The wrong treatment could sometimes be fatal.
A unit with two hyperbaric chambers can cost anything upwards of $500,000. Hence treatment costs are high. The range is between $250 to $500 per sitting. Preauthorization is required for insurance cover. Visit only FDA-approved hyperbaric chambers with safety precautions and pressure monitoring checks.
Last but not least. Do not try self hyperbaric chamber treatment at home. Portable hyperbaric chambers are available in the market but better to avoid them. It could be fatal or could lead to a fire at home if not used properly. Avoid it at all costs.
