Frequently Asked Questions

At Havasu Health and Hyperbarics our patients typically have restful treatments feeling refreshed and energized. When arriving to our center you will meet with our team of trained professionals, who will walk you through every step to ensure safe and effective treatment. 

• Before treatment you will be cleared by our on site doctor and hyperbaric consultant
• Patients are advised to ue the restroom prior to getting into the chamber
• Vitals, such as blood pressure and lung evaluation will be preformed prior to treatment
• Getting into the chamber, patients are asked to remove common items, such as electronics and metal items
• Patients then enter the chamber and are given instructions on how to have a safe and effective treatment
• During treatment the chamber may become slightly warm as the air compresses and cool when the pressure is released
• Typically patients will read a book or sleep during their sessions
• After HBOT a patient must have vitals checked again
• If there are any questions at this point, our staff will take you through the treatment plan and meet with our providers to ensure you have the best experience possible

This is by far the most common question and one of the hardest to answer. Each patient presents with unique treatment goals and a custom tailored treatment plan is created for every patient.

• Typically patients will require 5 consecutive treatments initially to determine response to HBOT
• Published research is often based on 40 consecutive sessions
• Wellness protocols and anti-aging have significatly different plans compared to acute diagnoses
• Our hyperbaric consultant will meet with you to determine the number and frequency of sessions required

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is generally considered a safe and well-tolerated treatment, with millions of successful sessions performed worldwide. It’s commonly used for a variety of medical conditions, and when administered by trained professionals, adverse events are rare. However, like any medical treatment, there are some risks associated with HBOT that patients should be aware of.

Most side effects of HBOT are mild and temporary. These include:

• Ear discomfort: As the chamber is pressurized, some patients may experience pressure in their ears, similar to the sensation during a flight. This can usually be managed by equalizing pressure (similar to yawning or swallowing).
• Sinus discomfort: Some individuals might feel pressure or mild discomfort in their sinuses due to the changes in air pressure, but this is temporary.

While severe side effects are uncommon, they can occur in rare cases. These include:

• Oxygen toxicity: Breathing pure oxygen for extended periods can, in very rare cases, lead to oxygen toxicity, which is always reversible by turning off the oxygen. Oxygen in or even outside of a hyperbaric chamber may cause symptoms like lightheadedness, nausea, or even seizures. However, protocols are in place to ensure treatments are safe, including monitoring oxygen exposure levels.
• Barotrauma: This refers to damage caused by pressure changes, most commonly affecting the ears or lungs. Trained technicians will carefully guide the pressure changes during HBOT sessions to minimize this risk.
• Temporary vision changes: Some patients report temporary nearsightedness after multiple sessions, but this typically resolves on its own once treatment ends.

• Proper patient screening: Before beginning HBOT, medical professionals will carefully assess a patient’s health history to ensure they are a good candidate for the therapy.
• Qualified supervision: HBOT is administered in medical settings by trained professionals who monitor patients throughout the session to ensure safety.
• Individualized protocols: Each treatment plan is customized based on the patient’s condition and needs, reducing the likelihood of adverse events.

While there are some risks associated with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, they are extremely rare when the treatment is administered correctly by experienced professionals. For most patients, HBOT is a safe, non-invasive treatment with the potential for significant health benefits. If you have concerns, discuss them with your provider, who can help you understand how HBOT can be safely integrated into your care plan.