For safety reasons, with few exceptions, patients are not allowed to take any items into the hyperbaric chamber, except what is provided by the staff.

Please do not wear or bring the following items into the chamber during treatment:

• Makeup

• Perfume

• After shave

• Hairspray/hair oils

• Wigs/hairpieces

• Nail polish

• Alcohol and petroleum based products

• Metallic items (jewelry, watches, coins, etc.)

• Flammable materials or heat producing items (heating pads or gloves)

• Undergarments

• Feminine hygiene products

• Hearing aids

• Food, gum and candy

• Lighters and cigarettes

• Pens

 

Do not smoke or use tobacco products over the entire course of therapy. Tobacco use will prolong or even prevent healing of a wound site because it has a constricting effect on the blood vessels in the body.

 

Once the patient is comfortably positioned inside the chamber, the air pressure will gradually increase. You may experience fullness in your ears as a result. The technician will instruct you in ways to help clear the pressure and relieve any discomfort. Most treatment sessions in the chamber last approximately two hours. During this time, you may watch TV or videos, relax or sleep.

 

When your treatment is complete, the chamber is restored to normal pressure. The technician and staff will guide you through the entire process. You may experience temporary vision changes (mild near sightedness) that should return to your normal state a few weeks after your therapy is complete.

ome patients experience minor fatigue during treatment, while others experience increased energy. Both are completely normal. I

 

If You are Sick or on Medication:

Please inform the staff if you have a cold or cough, the flu, sore throat, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. In addition, please alert the staff to any medications that you are taking or changes in medication before and during the course of your treatment.

If you are diabetic, please eat properly and continue to take your prescribed medication to control your blood sugar level. Your blood sugar level will also be checked before and after each treatment.

 

Other Important Information:

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is usually administered on an outpatient basis. If you drive, you may drive yourself to Integrity Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Wound Cere and should allow up to two and one half-hours for each visit. We recommend that someone accompany you for the evaluation and first treatment.