The unchecked spike in novel coronavirus cases globally is posing to be a serious challenge for the entire medical community.
Researchers from top medical institutes are racing against time to develop vaccines and source allied treatment methods that can provide relief to patients affected by this virus.
In recent months, medical professionals are increasingly recommending hyperbaric chamber therapy to patients combating the novel coronavirus.
What Is Novel Coronavirus?
The novel coronavirus, a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2), commonly known as COVID-19, has infected millions of individuals worldwide and claimed more than 500000lives till date.
According to initial reports, the outbreak of COVID-19 is known to have originated in Wuhan,China in December 2019. Thereafter, the rapid spread of the virus across 220 countries, prompted theWorld Health Organization (WHO) to declare COVID-19 as a global pandemic.
Studies conducted by researchers to trace the origin and subsequent modes of virus transmission are yet to produce tangible results.
However, preliminary investigations by medical experts suggest that COVID-19 is likely to transmit to other individuals through a cough or sneeze droplets of an infected patient.
Some experts believe that COVID-19 is a surface-borne virus that can spread to individuals when they come in contact with contaminated surfaces in offices, restaurants or other public spaces.
However, there are several research teams that are striving hard to decipher the primary source of infection and solve the ongoing debate on whether the virus is surface-borne or air-borne.
What Are the Symptoms Of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Patients ailing from novel coronavirus are known to experience the following symptoms within a time-span of 2 to 14 days post contracting the virus:
- Dry cough.
- Headache.
- Breathing difficulty.
- Fever.
- Lung congestion.
- Sore throat.
- Cold.
- Fatigue.
- Joint pain.
- Loss of appetite, taste and smell.
- Diarrhoea.
- Nausea.
Medical experts have reported that an estimated 80% of novel coronavirus patients display mild symptoms that eliminate the need for any hospitalization. The remaining 20% are known to develop a pneumonia-related complication known as progressive hypoxemia.
What Is Progressive Hypoxemia?
The human body can function in a healthy manner if the lungs produce adequate oxygen. Any disruption in the lungs’ ability to produce fresh oxygen can lead to respiratory failure and any delay in adapting adequate treatment measures such as hyperbaric chamber therapy can have fatal repercussions.
Progressive hypoxemia is a condition wherein the novel coronavirus causes inflammation of the lung tissues, leading to lowered oxygen levels in the bloodstream.
How Can Hyperbaric Chamber Therapy Provide Relief To Patients Combating Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Complications?
A team of Chinese hyperbaric experts from Wuhan Yangtze River Shipping General Hospital conducted a study to highlight the advantages of hyperbaric chamber therapy for COVID-19 relief.
The researchers administered hyperbaric chamber therapy to five COVID-19 patients and the results have provided a ray of hope to the medical community.
The Process Of Hyperbaric Chamber TherapyDuring The Trials In Wuhan:
The five COVID-19 patients were placed in a pressurized compartment known as a hyperbaric chamber during the 90–120-minute hyperbaric therapy sessions. Thereafter, pure oxygen was administered to the patients at pressures that varied between 1.4 to 1.6 ATA.
The pressurized environment inside the chamber instantly dissolved the unadulterated oxygen into the body fluids of the patients and boosted the oxygen-rich plasma to the affected areas. The fresh oxygen-induced into the blood supply instantly reduced the inflammation of the lung tissues and reduced hypoxemia levels in the patients.
The researchers observed a significant improvement in the health condition of the patients post their hyperbaric chamber therapy.
A few observations from the trials have been listed herewith:
- Reduced inflammation of lung tissues.
- Restored appetite, taste and smell.
- Relief from headache.
- Improved gastrointestinal functions.
- Eased breathing difficulty.
The above-mentioned research study has clearly highlighted the efficacy levels of hyperbaric chamber therapy for treating novel coronavirus cases. The findings from the Wuhan study have also encouraged other prominent researchers to conduct similar trials in Israel, France and the United States.
The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also recommended certain safety precautions that can limit the spread of this deadly pandemic such as:
- Avoid touching the nose, mouth or other parts of the face.
- Wash hands for 30 seconds after visiting offices, malls, parks or any public spaces.
- Wear facemasks during any outdoor activity.
- Maintain a 6 feet distance whilst social interaction with other individuals.
- Strict adherence to social distancing norms as specified by health authorities.
Currently, the entire healthcare system is under tremendous duress. Following these safety precautions diligently will reduce the stress on the already over-worked healthcare system that is struggling to provide infected individuals with the best possible care.
The ongoing research efforts by hyperbaric experts to find the efficacy levels of hyperbaric chamber therapy whilst treating patients affected by novel coronavirus is an optimistic step in the right direction.
