What is hyperbaric oxygen treatment?
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment exposes your body to pure oxygen in a controlled, medical environment.
During hyperbaric oxygen treatment, you breathe in air that has two to three times more oxygen than normal. It allows your lungs to gather more oxygen and carry it throughout your body.
Increased oxygen intake helps your body fight off infection and stimulates the release of growth factors, special cells that encourage healing.
Why would I need hyperbaric oxygen treatment?
Your body’s tissues need an adequate supply of oxygen to function normally. If you cut yourself or develop an open wound, the damaged skin needs extra oxygen to survive.
Because hyperbaric oxygen treatment increases the amount of oxygen in your blood, it helps speed up your body’s healing process.
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment is particularly beneficial for issues that affect your lower extremities, including:
- Burns
- Crush injuries
- Gangrene
- Bone and skin infections
- Diabetic foot ulcers
- Arterial ulcers
You might also benefit from hyperbaric oxygen treatment if you receive a skin or tissue graft.
How do I prepare for hyperbaric oxygen treatment?
When you arrive at Advanced Foot, Ankle, & Wound Specialists, PA, for hyperbaric oxygen treatment, the team provides you with a hospital gown.
To ensure your safety, they also ask you to leave any electronics, including your smartphone, outside the chamber. If you’re wearing any petroleum-based makeup or skincare products, you’ll need to remove those as well.
Once you change into the hospital gown, the team takes you into the chamber and explains what to expect.
What does hyperbaric oxygen treatment involve?
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment typically takes about two hours. During your appointment, you sit inside a special chamber.
The air pressure is two to three times higher than outside, so it’s normal to experience a feeling of fullness in your ears. You can yawn, swallow, or chew gum to relieve the pressure.
Throughout treatment, the team monitors your vital signs. If at any point you feel ill or uncomfortable, simply let your provider know.
How long do the results of hyperbaric oxygen treatment take?
To achieve the greatest possible benefit from hyperbaric oxygen treatment, you need to undergo a series of several appointments. This is particularly true if you have an open or slow-healing wound.
Typically, the team recommends hyperbaric oxygen treatment as part of a more comprehensive care plan that includes regular checkups, prescription medication, and other complementary therapies.
To learn more about the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen treatment, request a consultation at Advanced Foot, Ankle, & Wound Specialists, PA. Book online to schedule an appointment or call the nearest office today.
