Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment method that involves breathing in oxygen in a mono-place or multi-place chamber to increase oxygen levels in your blood. The rooms used for treatment have air pressure two to three times higher than in a typical environment. This condition enables your lungs to take in large amounts of pure oxygen that would be impossible in a standard setup. Diabetic individuals with chronic wounds may benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Suppose you are living with a slow-healing wound as a result of diabetes or radiation injury. In that case, Dr. Jake Schmutz of Integrative Medica may recommend hyperbaric oxygen therapy to improve your condition.
How to prepare for hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Like any other treatment method, the initial consultation is necessary to ensure you are suitable for treatment. Your doctor may advise against this treatment if:
- You have had ear surgery in the previous months.
- Your lungs are not healthy.
- You have a cold or fever.
Ask your doctor any questions about the treatment to help clear any uncertainties. During a consultation, your specialist may inform you on the risks associated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, for example:
- Changes in air pressure while in the chamber may cause middle ear injuries. The eardrum may rupture, or your fluid may leak from the ears.
- Air pressure changes may cause the lungs to collapse, a condition known as barotrauma.
- Some people may experience oxygen toxicity – excess oxygen in the central nervous system, which may cause seizures.
- Sugar levels in diabetic patients may drop, especially those that use insulin injections.
- Changes in eye lens may result in myopia – a visual challenge where your sight range is limited.
What can you expect during treatment?
You will wear hospital scrubs instead of your typical clothing before proceeding to the chamber. Your specialist may recommend that you eliminate any hair and petroleum-based skin care products as they can cause a fire. You will lie down on a flat surface that slides into a transparent unit for a mono-place section. Patients in a multi-place chamber may wear masks or hoods to breathe in oxygen.
What are the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy work?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy strengthens the immune system by improving the functioning of white blood cells. This treatment method also increases oxygen levels in body tissues which helps reduce the risk of infections. People with carbon monoxide poisoning may also benefit from this treatment as hyperbaric oxygen therapy can stop the action of toxins.
This treatment method stimulates the formation of new blood vessels, facilitating the production of new skin cells. Increased oxygen level in the body encourages certain substances, including vascular endothelial growth factors that promote healing.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy facilitates the healing process of wounds in diabetic patients. Tissues in your body require enough oxygen for them to function effectively. Most patients with injuries may experience swelling as damaged blood vessels release fluid into the body’s tissues. It causes insufficient oxygen supply to the wound area, and the tissue begins to die. However, the increased oxygen pressure in the chamber causes a rise in blood’s oxygen level, which prevents oxygen starvation.
If you live with a chronic wound and need treatment, book a session with your specialist at Integrative Medica for hyperbaric oxygen therapy to improve your general well-being.