WHAT WE TREAT WITH HBOT

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HBOT has emerged as an effective treatment for some patients who previously had little hope of recovering from late side effects of radiotherapy. HBOT increases the amount of oxygen in the blood by exposing patients to pure oxygen within a sealed chamber set at pressures greater than the ambient atmosphere, with results that can be measured using a transcutaneous partial pressure oxygen (TCPO2) monitor before and after treatment. Experts believe HBOT helps patients by stimulating growth of new blood vessels following radiation-induced damage.

HBOT has shown to be effective in the treatment of radiation necrosis. Radiotherapy treatment for cancers is common and may result in the destruction of tissue blood supply; therefore, the tissue becomes hypoxic, hypovascular, and hypocellular. Resulting in osteoradionecrosis, radiation cystitis, and mandibular radionecrosis. HBOT works to improve both oxygen and blood supply to the damaged tissue.

*In beginning stages often covered by insurance

Burns are classified by severity and percent of the total skin surface area of the body involved. First degree burns are partial thickness of the skin layers. The best example is a mild sunburn where the skin is just red. Second degree burns involve more layers of the skin and are characterized by redness, swelling, and blistering. Third degree burns kill all layers of the skin and affect the underlying tissue. The skin in these burns is often white showing no blood flow and oxygen or charred black. Fourth degree burns kill all layers of the skin and deeper tissues, including fat, muscle, tendon, and even bone. A typical description of a burn is “37% BSA (body surface area) burn with 10% third degree and 27% second degree.”

The benefit of HBOT for people with burn injuries is a result of its treatment of swelling, damaged blood supply to burned skin, and inflammation. One of the most widespread uses of HBOT in any injury is to treat swelling and bruising while also boosting the immune system. This can be lifesaving and prevent partial thickness burns from progressing to third degree.

*Covered by insurance in many cases.

HBOT as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of ulcers and various wounds that have failed an adequate course of standard wound therapy.  Another study found that HBOT for diabetic foot ulcers was  When it comes to diabetic wounds in the lower extremities, hyperbaric oxygen therapy has proven to be significantly effective in the complete healing of the foot ulcer, as well as reduction of major amputation.

Diabetic foot ulcer is a pathological condition that arises from diabetes and represents a major health problem throughout the world and is defined as a foot affected by ulceration that is associated with neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease of the lower limb in a person with diabetes.  HBOT can prove effective as an adjunct therapy due to its effects on improving wound tissue hypoxia, enhancing perfusion, reducing edema, downregulating inflammatory cytokines, promoting fibroblast proliferation, collagen production, and angiogenesis.

*Covered by Insurance

Wounds need oxygen to be able to heal. One of the main purposes and effects of HBOT is hyperoxygenation, which means that the blood can carry and deliver an increased amount of oxygen to the rest of the body. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment has been used and reimbursed for wound care for decades because of the rapid increase in healing that takes place. HBOT reduces swelling, improves circulation, and stimulates growth of new connective tissue, blood vessels, bone, and skin. HBOT is essentially painless and can speed up recovery time by multiple days or weeks. This means a faster return home, to work, and to normal function.

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment has been used and reimbursed for wound care for decades because of the rapid increase in healing that takes place. HBOT reduces swelling, improves circulation, and stimulates growth of new connective tissue, blood vessels, bone, and skin. HBOT is essentially painless and can speed up recovery time by multiple days or weeks. This means a faster return home, to work, and to normal function.

*Compromised skin graft and flaps often covered by insurance.