HYPERBARICS SERVICES OFFERED IN AUBURN, WA
Oxygen is essential in vital bodily function, and hyperbarics can help replenish oxygen content rapidly. Dr. Tamoro McDonald, ND, and the experts at Docere Integrated Medicine, located in Auburn, Washington, use hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to aid recovery in certain disease states. When your tissues are damaged, oxygen is essential so your cells can function efficiently. Schedule an appointment online or call today and learn more about hyperbarics.
WHAT IS HYPERBARICS?
Hyperbarics is a type of therapy that uses pure oxygen in a pressurized environment. This allows your lungs and red blood cells to pick up more oxygen that your body uses to aid in recovery. It is an established treatment method that originated from scuba divers who would often be in high-pressure, low-oxygen environments.
HOW IS HYPERBARICS USED?
More oxygen is required to aid recovery when an injury to body tissue occurs. Treatment plans for a wide variety of common conditions use hyperbarics, including:
- Burns
- Infection
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Gas gangrene
- Anemia
- Decompression sickness
The temporary increase of oxygen in the blood helps to stimulate the release of various healing substances within the body, such as growth factors. Hyperbarics is not a useful treatment in certain conditions, such as heart disease, spinal cord injury, and brain injury.
HOW DOES HYPERBARICS SATURATE MY BODY WITH OXYGEN?
When a cell is damaged, the surrounding swelling can impede the transfer of oxygen in the body. Hyperbarics is used to help reduce swelling while also increasing oxygen levels in the bloodstream, allowing more oxygen to travel to the depleted tissues.
Additionally, the pressurized environment allows for this temporary greater saturation of blood oxygen as our bodies use pressure to maintain regular balance. The hyperbaric chamber you lay in during the treatment creates this pressurized environment. Treatment typically lasts around 1-2 hours, during which you simply take breaths and relax.
IS HYPERBARICS SAFE?
With the proper equipment and a team of qualified professionals, such as Docere Integrated Medicine, hyperbarics is a safe and effective treatment. Most side effects are mild and only temporary. The most common side effect is trauma to the middle ear.
Additionally, other common side effects include lightheadedness, claustrophobia, and plugged ears. Other complications include sinus issues, low blood sugar, and oxygen poisoning; however, these are rare. Do not use hyperbarics as part of your treatment plan if you’ve recently had surgery or have lung disease.
To discuss if hyperbarics is right for you, call the office located in Auburn, Washington, or schedule an appointment through the online portal.