Hyperbaric Therapy of the Lowcountry uses Environmental Tectonics Corporation's Biomedical fully computerized SMOOTH·RIDE™ monoplace hyperbaric chambers for patient comfort and safety. Research conducted by the U.S. Air Force on curvilinear profiles shows that incorporating SMOOTH·RIDE™ technology reduces the incidence of barotraumas by approximately 67%*.
The chamber's computer assisted individualized treatment programs offer our patients comfort and help decrease stresses during chamber
compression
and decompression.
Safety
Patient safety is the foremost priority during the administration of HBOT. Hyperbaric Therapy of the Lowcountry strictly adheres to international safety guidelines. Manufactured in the United States, chambers are state-of-the-art, FDA approved and provide the most advanced technology and safety available in the hyperbaric industry today.
*Zwart BP. The "smooth ride" profile: Development, implementation, and evaluation of a hyperbaric chamber descent and ascent based on a constant rate of volume change with time.
Davis Hyperbaric Laboratory Report, Brooks AFB, Texas, 1998.
94 Main Street, Suite E Hilton Head, SC 29926
During Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment, ambient pressure inside the computerized, state-of-the-art, Lucite Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber is gradually increased by the addition of 100 percent oxygen.
The patient lies comfortably and breathes normally during treatment while enjoying a DVD on a mounted flat screen television, listening to music, or reading. Atmospheric pressure within the Hyperbaric Oxygen chamber can be increased up to 3 atmospheres (ATA) - which is comparable to a deep sea dive of 66 feet below sea level.
Increased atmospheric pressure levels cause oxygen molecules to become soluble, increasing their binding ability, and allowing more usable oxygen to cross over all cell membranes within the body.
p. 843.681.3300 f. 843.681.3316
How does HBOT work?
HBOT can provide a patient with up to 20 times normal oxygen levels. Extra oxygen is readily transported by all body fluids, including plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, lymph, and intra-cellular, benefiting all body tissues and organs. Increased tissue oxygenation produces long term therapeutic benefits, which include forming new blood vessels (angiogenesis), fostering new cell growth (fibroblast formation) and aiding the ability of white blood cells to destroy bacteria and remove toxins (an increased immunologic response).
Changes on the Cellular Level?
How does a "dive" feel?
What can I bring into
the chamber?
We provide 100% cotton scrubs that must be worn during hyperbaric oxygen treatment. Water bottles are also provided for patient comfort. Any other objects must be cleared by our personnel in compliance and adherence to strict safety guidelines. Patients will receive appropriate chamber safety education before the first treatment as well as ongoing monitoring by trained staff. Lockers are provided for clothing and valuable items.
The number of treatments differ with conditions. Acute conditions may require from as little as one to ten treatments, while chronic conditions could require 50 or more treatments spanning over a longer period of time.
Your individual treatment protocol will be discussed with you by one of our physicians during your initial, complementary consultation.
How many treatments do I need?
Contact Hyperbaric Therapy of the Lowcountry to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our staff physicians. Your specific needs will be evaluated and number of treatments recommended in order to establish a personalized HBOT plan.
Ongoing medical treatments and therapies are carefully considered during evaluation and your HBOT progress reports are communicated to your primary physician and therapists. Direct physician referrals are also accepted to initiate treatment.
What health conditions are
contraindicated for HBOT ?
Persons who have a history of pneumothorax, commonly called a "collapsed lung", are not candidates for receiving HBOT. Patients currently taking certain cancer medications, suffering from severe emphysema and those in end stage heart failure (with ejection fractions below 35%) are also not eligible for treatment.
Those with high fever, active respiratory tract infection, sinus or Eustacian tube problems, seizure disorder and pregnant individuals also require special screening and individualized consideration.
What about the HBOT chamber?
How do I get started ?
Are there any potential
side effects?
Utmost care is taken to educate patients about the techniques and importance of clearing their ears during the compression and recompression stages of hyperbaric oxygen treatment because of the potential for barotrauma or middle ear "squeeze" during a dive. Simply swallowing or yawning in order to equalize ear pressure (similar to being on an airplane during takeoff and landing) is an effective way to avoid this situation and protect the ears during these changes in pressure. Appropriate patient screening by our physicians and patient monitoring during treatment also helps to circumvent this condition.
Patients lie comfortably within the chamber, watch a movie, read a book, listen to music, or use the treatment time to just relax. During the compression and decompression phases of the treatment or "dive", pressure in the ears must be equalized by swallowing or yawning (similar to being in an airplane). A typical 90 minute treatment is supervised by one of our doctors or a trained hyperbaric technician.
Hyperbaric Therapy of the Lowcountry (843)-681-3300
Information about HBOT
Hyperbaric Therapy of the Lowcountry
2009 Hyperbaric Therapy of the Lowcountry: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. All Rights Reserved.
