Many people today are still struggling with the after-effects of having contracted COVID. They struggle to breathe on a daily basis, leaving them more winded and tired so that they’re not able to get back to their usual daily routine pre-pandemic. However, new research in the science field is proving a new effective method of helping people breathe more easily again.
Image by Christo Anestev from Pixabay
The Promises Of Hyperbaric Chambers
Instead of attending standard therapy for severe breathing difficulties related to COVID-19, you might want to consider trying a hyperbaric chamber in Denver, CO. Hyperbaric chambers have been shown to resolve these difficulties in as little as three days.
This method of oxygen delivery is quite safe and has even been developed into portable hyperbaric chambers so that patients can treat themselves at home instead of constantly making appointments.
How Do Hyperbaric Chambers Work
Patients are placed inside a chamber where the pressure inside is higher than the atmospheric pressure at sea level. With this method, air is brought into the lungs more easily as it is somewhat forced into the lungs.
However, there are some potentially harmful effects, especially in patients dealing with COVID-19. For those experiencing lung inflammation or fluid buildup from pulmonary edema, then these conditions could be worsened inside a hyperbaric chamber.
The Potential To Decrease Recovery Time
Studies were conducted that included forty adults admitted to 3 different hospitals in Buenos Aires. They all had severe breathing difficulties and had oxygen saturation less than 90%.
They were divided into two groups: using standard therapy plus hyperbaric treatment, and hyperbaric treatment alone. At the end of the study, there was no significant effect on respiratory distress. However, there was a dramatic difference in oxygen saturation before and after treatment, and patients doing hyperbaric treatment alone returned to normal breathing within 3 days; those doing standard therapy alone took 9 days to return to normal breathing.
Other Uses For Hyperbaric Therapy
The tissues of the body require oxygen in order to properly function and heal. By increasing the amount of oxygen present in the blood, it’s natural to assume that this healing process could be shortened. Hyperbaric therapy has been around for several years and has been used to treat several medical conditions, such as:
● severe anemia
● carbon monoxide poisoning
● nonhealing wounds caused by diabetes
● radiation injury
● skin grafts
● gangrene
Are There Other Risks of Hyperbaric Therapy?
Because of the increase in pressure on the body, there are some complications that can arise. These include:
● seizures, as a result of too much oxygen
● lowered blood sugar in those who have diabetes treated with insulin
● lung collapse, due to air pressure changes
● middle ear injuries
● temporary nearsightedness
That’s why it’s important to discuss your options with your doctor first to ensure that this treatment might be right for you.
If you think that hyperbaric therapy might be right for you, consult your doctor as soon as possible. It might be the right treatment when you’ve tried everything else and none of it has worked.
