Factors such as history of seizures, high temperature, acidosis and low blood sugar are taken into account before treatment is begun Pulmonary oxygen toxicity may occur in patients who require supplemental oxygen between treatments. This is very rarely seen with the limited number of treatments currently used. Some patients may suffer claustrophobia. This is managed by maintaining communication, use of relaxation techniques and mild sedation, if necessary. Incidents of claustrophobia, however, are decreased by the nine foot in diameter multiplace chamber.
Vision usually returns to normal within eight weeks following the end of treatments.
Patients with cataracts may experience accelerated maturation of the cataract, but the treatments do not cause cataract formation. Small airway hyper-reactivity may result in air trapping and pulmonary barotrauma on ascent. A decision to treat such patients should not be undertaken lightly, particularly in light of evidence that the administration of some bronchodilators may increase theincidence of cerebral arterial gas embolism through pulmonary vasodilation. Such patients have fragile red cells and treatment may result in massive haemolysis 3. There is evidence to suggest that this drug blocks the production of suproxide dismutase and this may severely effect the body's defences against oxygen free radicals.