Can Hyperbaric Therapy Be Used to Treat Chronic Wounds? – Patch.com

To understand how hyperbaric therapy can effectively treat chronic wounds, we first need to comprehend what this alternative treatment option is and how it works. There is much information about this treatment option that the general population is unaware of. Gaining this vital information can help patients make a more informed decision about their own health and wellbeing.

Hyperbaric therapy, also known as HBOT, is a medical procedure that works by increasing the supply of oxygen in the body of the patient. This is accomplished with the help of a device called the hyperbaric chamber. The hyperbaric chamber is essentially a sealed and pressurized vessel which contains a mattress and a medicine cabinet. This chamber also has a sealed, clear glass window which allows the patient to look outside during a session.

In order to avail hyperbaric therapy, a patient must enter this chamber and remain inside for an hour or ninety minutes at the very least. During this time, 100 percent pure oxygen is administered to him or her, under heightened levels of atmospheric pressure. This can be as much as five times higher than normal air pressure at sea level.

The purpose of this heightened atmospheric pressure level is to allow the oxygen to dissolve quickly into the bodily fluids of the patient. Everything from the plasma to the cerebrospinal fluid absorbs the pure oxygen under the excess air pressure. Consequently, oxygen is now delivered to all parts of the body and the brain, even those which had previously been deprived of adequate oxygen supply because of damaged blood vessels or inflammations.

An increased supply of oxygen can offer numerous benefits. For one, oxygen helps with the regeneration of damaged tissues and also facilitates angiogenesis. Moreover, it reduces oxidative stress and enables quick recovery from injuries and wounds. The rapid formation of blood vessels and infection control are two other benefits of increased oxygen supply.

For these reasons, the FDA has approved the use of HBOT for treating a variety of conditions, including decompression sickness, diabetic foot ulcers, carbon monoxide poisoning, gas gangrene, and severe anemia.

A chronic wound is essentially a wound that refuses to heal in the proper way or within the expected amount of time. Every case is different, but if a wound refuses to heal even after three months have passed by, it is usually categorized as a chronic wound. Such a wound has likely been detained or stalled during one or more phases of the healing process, which slowed down or completely stopped the patient's natural recovery process.

In extreme cases, a chronic wound may take years to heal, or may never do so at all. This is especially the case if proper treatment is not administered in a timely manner. This is why the timely use of hyperbaric therapy is so important, and is regularly prescribed by doctors treating patients who have a chronic wound.

However, the number of hyperbaric therapy sessions needed will vary from one case to another, depending largely on the severity of the chronic wound. Usually, most chronic wound sufferers require anywhere between thirty to forty hyperbaric sessions in order to ensure a full recovery. Each session might last between one to two hours, depending upon the recommendation of the doctor or hyperbaric expert overseeing the treatment.

HBOT is a non-invasive and painless form of treatment, and is therefore recommended for children as well as adults suffering from chronic wounds. In most cases, hyperbaric treatment for chronic or non-healing wounds is covered and paid for by the patient's insurance provider. Numerous studies, conducted by reputed medical institutions, have found over the years that hyperbaric therapy improves the chances of recovery for patients living with chronic or non-healing wounds. In people who have chronic foot ulcers caused by diabetes, hyperbaric therapy may reduce the risk of an amputation.

On the other hand, for chronic wounds that fester because of an underlying disease or condition, studies have found that HBOT can be effectively used to reduce the size of the wound. Similar effects have been reported in the case of chronic wounds which were caused by a lack of blood supply through the veins and arteries. In all these cases, HBOT had a positive impact on the recovery process and the overall health of the patient.

If you, or anyone you know, happen to be suffering from a chronic wound, then you should definitely consider availing hyperbaric therapy as an alternative treatment option for faster recovery. You can talk to your doctor, who would be able to further advice you on the right duration for and location of the treatment. You might notice some remarkable improvements in your condition after undergoing a few sessions of HBOT.

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Can Hyperbaric Therapy Be Used to Treat Chronic Wounds? - Patch.com