The Power of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Wound Healing
Wound healing is a complex process affected by numerous factors, including infection, poor blood flow, and underlying health conditions. Thankfully, as medical science continues to advance, new treatments are emerging to help speed up and improve the healing process. One such innovative treatment is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. While this treatment is gaining popularity, many people still are not aware of the variety of benefits that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can provide. Baromedical Associates is here to educate people in the Dallas Metro Area and beyond about the remarkable advantages of HBOT. Learn more about hyperbaric treatment for wounds and what to expect during an appointment.
What Is Wound Healing Hyperbaric Therapy?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a game-changing method of wound healing. The process involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber—inside, the oxygen pressure is up to three times higher than normal atmospheric pressure. Under these conditions, your lungs can gather more oxygen than normally possible. This oxygen is then dissolved into the bloodstream and delivered to tissues throughout the body, promoting healing and fighting infection.
How an HBOT Session Works
The idea of entering a pressurized chamber can be daunting. After all, most patients don’t really know what to expect. But don’t worry—the team at Baromedical Associates is here to ensure you feel comfortable every step of the way. First, we’ll conduct a thorough assessment of your vital signs and confirm you’re safe to enter the chamber. Once inside, you can sit or lie down, whichever is most comfortable for you. Here’s how a typical HBOT session works:
- Once you’re settled in, we turn the oxygen pressure up. You’ll remain in the pressurized chamber for anywhere from 60 minutes to two hours. Many patients use this time to catch up on their favorite TV show or nap.
- Treatment is comfortable and will seldom cause any discomfort. For the first and last 5-7 minutes in HBOT, patients will feel the need to clear (pop) your ears to equalize the pressure, much like landing in an airplane. For the rest of the treatment, you just relax and sleep or watch TV, and you don’t feel any unusual sensations.
- Let us know if you have any history of claustrophobia. However, in our very large, FDA approved, clear acrylic chambers, it is rare for our patients to experience claustrophobia.
- At the end of the treatment, we’ll depressurize the chamber, and you can exit.
- We’ll continue to monitor your progress over several sessions and help guide you on your way to recovery!
HBOT Wound Care Benefits
Accelerated wound healing is a key benefit of HBOT, and today, the treatment is used to address a wide range of conditions. From sports injuries to pre-operative conditioning, HBOT provides distinct advantages. Here are a few ways HBOT benefits patients:
- Enhanced Oxygen Delivery—Under hyperbaric conditions, oxygen is dissolved directly into the plasma. This means enhanced delivery to tissues, even in those with compromised blood flow.
- Reduced Swelling and Inflammation—Are you worried about pain and swelling after surgery? Increased oxygen levels can help! More oxygen leads to an environment more conducive to healing.
- Boosted Immune Function—Oxygen-rich environments enhance white blood cells’ ability to fight infection.
- Blood Vessel Formation—HBOT stimulates blood vessel formation, or angiogenesis, which improves blood flow to damaged tissues and promotes faster healing.
- Collagen Production— Collagen is an essential protein for wound repair, and increased oxygen levels stimulate collagen production.
Effective for Many Types of Wounds
One of the most prominent HBOT wound care benefits is its vast range of applications. This treatment isn’t only for one type of wound. Rather, it can be applied to all kinds of health concerns. Learn more about a few of the conditions that benefit from regular HBOT sessions:
Diabetic Wounds
Patients with diabetes can greatly benefit from HBOT. In one study that looked at 30 diabetic patients, the group undergoing HBOT had a significantly lower need for amputation. Diabetic ulcers and lesions can be effectively managed with ongoing HBOT treatments combined with traditional methods of wound care1.
Traumatic Injuries
Are you trying to recover from a traumatic injury? Wound-healing hyperbaric therapy may be suited to you. HBOT is known to provide adequate shock management, repair soft tissues, and stimulate blood vessel healing. Experts recommend starting HBOT within six hours of injury for best results1.
Compromised Grafts and Flaps
Skin grafts and flaps are often used to manage major wounds. Although most grafts and flaps heal well, patients with poor blood circulation may run into complications. Fortunately, HBOT is a promising solution for those patients. Improving oxygen flow to the affected areas of the body may lead to better graft survival and reduced chances of surgical flap failure1.
Radiation Tissue Damage
Radiation wounds can be devastating and take a long time to heal. However, studies show that HBOT are particularly helpful in managing these injuries. While many treatments are required to see significant results, HBOT can result in a marked improvement in healed tissue1.
Surgical Site Infection
Oxygen therapy for healing wounds is also extremely beneficial for surgical site infections (SSI). SSIs are the root of countless post-operative complications, but HBOT can directly decrease the rate of infection. HBOT strengthens the immune system and, when combined with antibiotics, it can successfully ward off harmful infections2. HBOT kills anaerobic bacteria.
Is HBOT Suitable for You?
HBOT is changing the way we think about wound healing for the better. In the past, patients could only wait for conventional treatments to take their course. But today, you have more efficient solutions. Baromedical Associates has emerged as a leader in HBOT, serving patients from all over the world who come to the Dallas Metro Area for our expertise. Contact us today to request an appointment with one of our specialists.