Allan M. Spiegel M.D. - RSD Therapy

The predominant side effect hyperbaric medicine is barotraumas (pressure damage) to the eardrums. Ear tubes may be required by some patients. Although no ruptured eardrums have occurred in my hyperbaric facility, this complication has been reported.

Pure hyperbaric oxygen can produce toxicity, but the treatment parameters used in clinical HBOT are well within the safe limits. In about one in 10,000 compressions, a patient may have an epileptic type seizure due to oxygen sensitivity or low blood sugar—these seizures have produced no long-term effects.

During a prolonged course of treatment, some patients will note a change in vision caused by the molding of the cornea by the increased pressure—this reverses when HBOT is completed.

Contraindications to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Contraindications to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy are not extensive and often temporary. Communication with your HBOT physician about concerns is essential.

Contraindications include:

• Pneumothorax unless treated with a Heimlich valve.
• Claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces, which is usually controllable.
• Acute upper respiratory infection or sinusitis.
• Emphysema, which can usually be treated at lower atmospheric pressure.
• Uncontrolled high fever.
• History of ear complications.
• Thoracic surgery or spontaneous pneumothorax.

Seizures at pressure have been documented at one per 10,000 compressions in children with Cerbral Palsy (CP), a rate identical with the occurrence in the overall hyperbaric therapy population. Even though seizures are a frequent symptom CP, most CP children with seizure who have been treated with HBOT have shown reduced seizure activity.

Patients with seizure disorders may have recurrence of seizures while at pressure during Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. In China, HBOT is being used to treat seizures in children.

To help you discover what Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can do for you, for a limited time, Dr. Spiegel will provide a free assessment to determine if you would benefit from this treatment.

To schedule a hyperbaric oxygen therapy consultation, give our office a call.