Hyperbaric Medicine

Timely healing can be necessary to protect tissue health, prevent infection and save lives. Specialists at Mayo Clinic Health System use hyperbaric oxygen therapy to encourage healing in tissues damaged by disease, injury or other factors. Pressurized, pure oxygen speeds recovery by dramatically increasing the blood oxygen levels of people with certain conditions.

Find out more about our hyperbaric medicine services:

• Conditions
• Treatment
• Hyperbaric medicine specialists
• Referral
• FAQ
• Hyperbaric medicine locations near you
• Hyperbaric medicine providers near you

Conditions

Conditions that may benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy include:

• Air and gas bubbles in blood vessels (gas embolism)
• Diabetes-related foot and ankle ulcers
• Gas gangrene
• Injuries and suturing associated with crushed or severed limbs
• Preparation and preservation of compromised skin grafts
• Radiation therapy tissue injuries and side effects
• Sudden sensorineural hearing loss

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Treatment

Our hyperbaric medicine experts use 100% oxygen to help your body's natural healing function more efficiently. When wounds heal quickly, it saves damaged tissue and reverses the effects of exposure to life-threatening events, such as air-gas embolism.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy takes place inside a clear, acrylic hyperbaric chamber. The chamber is pressurized, allowing you to breathe in 100% oxygen. The increased oxygen you inhale saturates your blood plasma, allowing it to carry 20 to 30 times the normal amount of oxygen to body tissue.

The additional oxygen promotes optimal healing by:

• Enhancing the growth of new blood vessels and tissues
• Removing trapped air bubbles
• Supporting immune system activity

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Hyperbaric medicine specialists

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is performed by providers with specialized training and certification in hyperbaric medicine and wound care.

Our specialists include:

• Physicians
• Advanced practice providers
• Nurses
• Technicians

Your care team may also include:

• Infectious disease specialists
• Plastic surgeons
• Podiatrists
• Radiation oncologists
• Vascular surgeons
• Wound care specialists

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Referral

A referral is required for hyperbaric medicine. Talk with your primary care provider to determine if hyperbaric oxygen therapy is right for you and to arrange a referral.

If you are a provider, you can refer a patient online, by phone or by fax.

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FAQ

What risks are associated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is generally safe. Complications that do occur are typically mild and brief.

Exposure to increased pressure and pure oxygen may cause:

• Cataract formation with the need for long courses of treatment
• Ear pain
• Low blood sugar in people who have diabetes treated with insulin
• Middle ear injuries, including a ruptured eardrum
• Sinus pressure that may cause pain, a runny nose or nose bleeds
• Short-term vision issues
• Temporary decline in lung function

Your hyperbaric medicine team can provide guidance and tips for lessening certain side effects.

How many treatment sessions in a hyperbaric chamber will I need?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is typically performed as an outpatient procedure. Expect to be in the hyperbaric chamber for 1½ to 2 hours per session.

The number of sessions you need can vary depending on your medical condition. Some conditions, such as carbon monoxide poisoning, may require only a few sessions. More challenging issues, such as nonhealing wounds, may involve a few dozen treatment sessions or more.

Does insurance cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Health insurance varies. Contact your insurance provider for your specific coverage details. Our Patient Account Services team is happy to answer any questions and help you navigate billing and insurance.

We serve patients in difficult financial circumstances and offer financial assistance to those who have an established need to receive medically necessary services.

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Explore locations or providers near you for details on hyperbaric medicine: