“Blood pressure 140/75, pulse 83 beats per minute, normal ECG, and oxygen saturation at 95 percent. I do not suffer from claustrophobia, I have not had any acute inflammations, nor have I been exposed to radiation or chemotherapy. But since I live with type 2 diabetes, a hyperbaric chamber emerged as one possible way of preventing complications of a disease that, according to official statistics, affects around ten percent of population, just like type 1 diabetes. How many people also have prediabetes, no one can say with precision.” - Dusan Miljus
On the Croatian portal, journalist Dusan Miljus recounts his experience of undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Before entering the chamber, he was examined by the doctor, she reviewed his medical records, carried out a preliminary examination and consultation, and concluded that there were no obstacles to treatment.
In the photo: Dr. Antonija Precali and Dusan Miljus. Source: jutarnji.hr
Before entering the hyperbaric chamber, he was given an oxygen mask, a mandatory part of the 75-minute treatment. The instructions were provided by a licensed hyperbaric chamber operator and engineer.
“When you go inside and the blue light comes on, put on the mask, adjust it properly, and breathe normally. Halfway through the treatment, we will take a short break for a few minutes and then continue. When the blue light turns off, you will hear the air release, and that means the treatment is over,” he explained.
Dusan Miljus entered the chamber, a kind of “dry submarine,” where he would spend the next ten days undergoing daily treatment. Since the chamber has a TV receiver, he passes the time watching series, but at the same time he reflects on what is actually happening inside his body. Until then, he had mostly heard about hyperbaric chambers in stories about diving accidents, where they were used to save lives after decompression sickness. He did not expect to find himself in the role of a patient.
He admits that at the beginning he felt his pulse rise. After the “descent,” he watched the monitor as the pressure stabilized at 1.75, humidity was around 46 percent, and the temperature was 26 degrees Celsius. It was a good thing, then, that he had left his vest in the locker room, along with his mobile phone and all metal objects, as instructed by the operator. All of this is part of the safety procedure.
View inside the hyperbaric chamber. Source: jutarnji.hr
If this topic interests you, we also invite you to read our article: “Check-ups with Your Diabetologist – Why They Matter Specifically to YOU.”
Who Can It Help?
As time in the chamber passes, his thoughts return to what Dr. Antonija Precali had said. Even if nothing else happened apart from a reduction in stress, which is one of the positive effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, that alone would already be a good first impression. True, on the first evening after treatment he felt tired, but only briefly. After the second session, he already felt he had more energy, fell asleep earlier, and slept more soundly than usual.
It soon becomes clear how the therapy actually works. A hyperbaric chamber functions on the principle of breathing one hundred percent pure oxygen under pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, most often between 1.5 and 3 bar. Such pressure allows oxygen to dissolve directly into the blood plasma rather than being carried only by hemoglobin. The result is improved oxygen delivery to tissues, reduced inflammation, stimulation of new blood vessel formation, and support for the healing process.
In people with diabetes, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can improve metabolism and peripheral microcirculation, which is why it is also mentioned as an important aid in the prevention of diabetic foot complications. It is also used for chronic wounds, neurological disorders, and the reduction of swelling, and it is sometimes cited as part of infertility treatment. Athletes use it for faster recovery of muscles, tendons, and soft tissue, not only after injury but also as part of recovery after major physical exertion. It is well known that top athletes, including Novak Djokovic, use hyperbaric chambers, and that major sports organizations such as Real Madrid also have this type of equipment.
Dusan Miljus. Source: Živim portal (Jutarnji.hr)
Both for Treatment and Prevention
How exactly does a hyperbaric chamber work? Can a patient come for treatment with a referral? Does this also apply to private clinics equipped with modern chambers? These are just some of the questions that naturally arise.
Vjekoslav Budimir, founder and owner of Oxivita, says that as a long-time diver he decided to develop this type of clinic because he believes we need greater investment in hyperbaric medicine, not only for treatment but also for prevention.
In Germany, as an example, certain groups of patients, such as those on dialysis, are entitled to regular visits to a hyperbaric chamber, with treatment covered by health insurance. In such patients, blood vessels are often damaged, and hyperbaric therapy may help improve their elasticity. He also mentions Turkey, where after devastating earthquakes a large number of hyperbaric chambers were opened because of the many injuries and crush traumas, as such treatments proved useful in managing these conditions.
The hyperbaric chamber also plays an important role in carbon monoxide poisoning, as it enables the rapid removal of the toxic gas from the body. Firefighters know this well, which is why in such cases it is crucial to transport the patient to the nearest chamber as quickly as possible. The problem is that the general public, and even part of the medical profession, is still not sufficiently aware of the real benefits of hyperbaric medicine, both in treatment and in prevention.
The multiple benefits, not only in treatment but also in prevention, were recognized by Vjekoslav Budimir, clinic founder and diver. Source: jutarnji.hr
Only Emergency Cases Covered by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund
The only hyperbaric chamber in a public hospital in Croatia is in Rijeka, while in public hospitals in Pula and Split there are privately operated hyperbaric chambers. Unlike some European healthcare systems that have recognized the value of hyperbaric medicine in prevention as well, the Croatian Health Insurance Fund has not yet systematically accepted this benefit.
In practice, this means that the Fund covers only urgent, acute conditions, such as decompression sickness in divers, carbon monoxide poisoning, or pesticide poisoning. Preventive use and treatment for chronic conditions generally remain outside public funding.
This opens up a broader question about the rationality of the system. As in many other areas of healthcare, prevention could in the long term be significantly cheaper than treating severe consequences. In people with diabetes, this becomes especially evident when one considers complications such as chronic wounds, infections, and amputations of parts of the limbs.
Oxivita, a clinic equipped with two modern hyperbaric chambers, is still waiting to establish a contractual relationship with the Croatian Health Insurance Fund. Until that happens, it continues to inform patients and professionals about the areas in which hyperbaric medicine can provide real benefit.
Hyperbaric chamber control room. Source: jutarnji.hr
Conclusion
Dusan Miljus describes the beginning of treatment as air travel. When the pressurized oxygen starts flowing, the feeling is similar to taxiing down the runway before takeoff. As in aviation, strict safety rules also apply in hyperbaric chambers. The slight pressure in the ears after leaving the chamber disappears quickly.
Breathing pure oxygen left him with a sense of freshness and renewed energy. That was the most direct and visible effect of time spent in the “submarine.” The conclusion was simple: it would make sense to continue the treatments. But another fact is equally clear — this type of therapy comes at a cost. A hyperbaric chamber system requires serious investment, top-level equipment, and highly trained staff.
Source: Dusan Miljus - portal
