Why should smoking be discouraged in patients undergoing HBOT?

Patients undergoing Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) should be discouraged from smoking because it can significantly impair the healing process and increase associated health risks. Smoking has detrimental effects on circulation and oxygen delivery at the cellular level, which is especially critical when patients are being treated with increased oxygen concentrations in HBOT.

The therapeutic benefits of HBOT rely on delivering high levels of oxygen to promote healing and tissue repair. However, the presence of nicotine and other harmful substances in cigarette smoke can counteract these benefits by constricting blood vessels, reducing oxygen transport, and delaying the body's natural healing responses. This can lead to a compromised treatment outcome for conditions that HBOT is prescribed to address, such as chronic wounds, infections, and tissue ischemia.

In a hyperbaric environment, where the emphasis is on optimizing oxygen for healing, smoking can introduce risks such as increased carbon monoxide levels and additional oxidative stress, further complicating patient recovery. Therefore, it is vital to encourage cessation of smoking to maximize the effectiveness of HBOT and ensure patient safety and wellbeing during their treatment journey.