Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a non-invasive treatment which involves inhaling pure oxygen (as opposed to 21% oxygen in the air we usually breathe). HBOT takes place inside a specialized hyperbaric chamber and is considered to be an efficient method to treating a wide variety of issues including decompression sickness, non-healing diabetic/vascular wounds, osseous tissue infections, abscesses and burns. It can also be used in post-stroke rehabilitation.
Hyperbaric Chamber Benefits
During a hyperbaric treatment oxygen is dissolved not only into the red blood cells, but also into the plasma as well as the lymph and the CNS fluids. Thus it can reach areas where circulation has been impaired. The increase in blood oxygen levels assists the patient's body to reduce swelling, kill bacteria and grow new blood vessels and helps wound heal faster.
The Center for Hyperbaric Medicine in Israel
The Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research at Assaf HaRoffe houses one of the largest hyperbaric chambers in the world, capable of treating over 120 patients per day. It also conducts advanced research in the field of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, such as potential applications for brain rejuvenation in patients with certain neurological illnesses.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Cost
Hyperbaric chamber cost depends on the number of sessions required, which will be determined by your treating hyperbaric specialist. Most patients have between 30 to 60 sessions (performed daily with breaks during the weekends).
Oxygen Therapy in Israel
Most patients referred for HBOT fall into one of the following 3 groups:
- Post-CVA patients who are undergoing rehabilitation: Therapy lasts for 12 weeks (60 sessions, 5 times a week). Each session lasts approximately 1 to 1½ hours. Please note that Stroke Treatment in Israel also includes a neuro-rehabilitation specialist's consultation, as well as speech and occupational therapies and a brain MRI (to evaluate the extent of the brain injury)
- Patients with chronic (non-healing) wounds (for example due to diabetes): Hyperbaric medicine and oxygen therapy are considered to provide the best outcome for this condition. Treatment program also includes surgeon’s and plastic surgeon’s exams. Usually, between 40 and 60 treatment sessions are required.
- Post-radiation therapy patients: Hyperbaric treatment can begin roughly 1 to 1.5 month following the completion of radiation therapy. It is usually scheduled when a reconstructive surgery is required, but the affected tissues have not yet properly healed. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is especially effective following palate cancer treatment (prior to a reconstructive surgery), and also following throat and vocal cords carcinomas (helping reduce hoarseness). Therapy lasts for 12 weeks (60 sessions, 5 times a week).
