University of Virginia Health System

How do I prepare for HBO therapy?

Once your appointment has been scheduled, please observe the following helpful rules to ensure successful treatment:

• DO NOT SMOKE or be around anyone who is smoking. Smoking decreases the effectiveness of the therapy by causing blood vessels to shrink and decrease circulation. It also increases the danger of fire due to the high oxygen concentration in your hair and clothing after treatment. This No Smoking rule also applies to all other tobacco products, including cigars, pipe tobacco, and snuff.
• Bathe thoroughly or shower before each treatment.
• Wear only the 100 percent cotton clothing issued to you by the nurse before you go into the chamber. Be sure to remove any undergarments when dressing for treatment.
• Remove all nail polish, hair spray, makeup, deodorant, hard contact lenses, jewelry, watches, dentures, and artificial limbs before each treatment. Also remove hearing aids, metal frame eyeglasses, and other prosthetic devices.
• Be sure to eat a light nutritional meal or snack about two to three hours before each assigned treatment.
• Do not bring into the treatment room any matches, cigarettes, lighters or any flammable item--and this rule applies to any other family member or guess you bring with you.
• Do not apply or allow anyone else to apply petroleum - or Vaseline-based gauze or dressing on a wound before HBO treatment. Conventional plastic-based dressings are OK.
• On the day of your appointment, please notify us if you have a cold, the flu, fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, fever blisters, cold sores, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or a general aching feeling. These symptoms may cause a temporary delay in your treatment schedule until they are gone.
• Inform the HBO staff if you are taking any medications, including those that are non-prescription.

What will happen when I come for an HBO treatment?

To receive HBO therapy, you will be placed in an HBO chamber. During your treatment, you will be constantly observed by a specially trained nurse.

Once you are in the chamber with the door closed, you will hear the oxygen begin to circulate. The HBO staff will tell you when the gradual increase in pressure begins. You will notice the slight increase in pressure and perhaps also a slight increase in temperature--but both of these are only temporary, lasting about 10 to 15 minutes. The hyperbaric medicine staff will remain with you to adjust the rate of compression according to your tolerance. They will also coach you if you have a popping or full sensation in your ears. You can clear your ears in several ways:

• Swallowing
• Pinching your nose and swallowing
• Pinching the nose, closing the mouth and blowing your nose at the same time
• Pushing the tongue up against the roof of the mouth

For most treatments at UVA, you will be pressurized to 2-3 times normal atmospheric pressure. When you have reached the prescribed pressure, the fullness in your ears will stop. During the remainder of the treatment, nothing much will happen--you may sleep or watch television. The decompression phase will also last about 10 to 15 minutes, when you may again feel the popping or full sensation in your ears.

Like all medical treatments and procedures, HBO therapy may cause some side effects. These are uncommon, however, and will be discussed with you when you sign your consent form for treatment.

Please note that someone will be with you at all times during treatment to assist you if needed.

How long will I be in the chamber?

Treatments are 90 minutes long, with about 6 to 24 hours between treatments. The number of treatments you will receive will be specified by your attending HBO physician. It is important that you try to make every scheduled treatment for maximum benefit.