Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment method that is applied to the patient who is completely pressurized in a pressure chamber, by breathing 100% oxygen intermittently. HBOT is a modern and scientific treatment method supported by more than 6000 studies.
Pressure chambers are cabins made of steel, which can be pressurized by giving air, and which provide 100% oxygen breathing opportunity to the people inside. In HBOT applications, the majority of patients normally breathe oxygen under 2-2.5 times the atmospheric pressure we are in. Patients on a stretcher can also be treated while lying down. HBOT is performed under the supervision of specialist doctors and medical personnel.
There is a multi-person decompression chamber in the center. With the multi-person pressure chamber, 12 patients can be treated at the same time. In the multi-person pressure room, patients who are conscious and need intensive care support can also be treated.
In the first minutes of the treatment, called “diving”, patients feel the pressure increase inside their ears, just as they feel during the descent on an airplane journey or descending from high mountains. Patients are told how to equalize the pressure in their ears during increased pressure. This is usually accomplished by simply swallowing, or by closing the nose and blowing air. This process is only done during the dive, until the treatment pressure is reached. HBOT can be applied to patients of all ages. Patients enter the pressure chamber with special cotton clothes given to them.
An HBOT session usually takes 1.5-2 hours, although it varies from case to case. Most of the patients receive treatment once a day. However, in some emergencies, the number of daily sessions can be up to four. The total number of sessions varies according to the disease.
The most common side effect is the effect of pressure change on the ears and sinuses. This situation is not dangerous and can be avoided by learning pressure equalization methods. Other side effects are very rare and can be listed as oxygen toxicity, claustrophobia (fear of being in a closed place) and temporary myopia.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Unit is located on the ground floor of the Z block of the General Hospital section.
COMMUNICATION: 0332 310 50 00 EXTERNAL NUMBER:70506
Our doctors:
Underwater Hyperbaric Medicine Specialist
Assoc. Dr. Abdullah ARSLAN