HBOT

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy or HBOT, was originally developed to help deep-sea divers overcome decompression sickness, also known as "the bends".  It was eventually discovered that HBOT accelerates the healing of wounds that are slow to close on their own. HBOT is also used to help fight certain types of infections and to treat conditions ranging from cyanide or carbon monoxide poisoning to radiation injuries caused by cancer treatment.

HBOT is a specialized treatment that allows patients to breathe 100% oxygen inside a pressurized chamber. High concentrations of oxygen are delivered into the bloodstream at 10 to 20 times the normal amount.   This increased oxygen allows the red blood cells and the blood plasma to carry oxygen to areas of the body that are not currently receiving adequate circulation. This increase in oxygen often provides the additional “boost” that a chronic wound will need to heal.  Increased oxygen also enhances the ability of white blood cells to fight infection

HBOT is a very safe procedure and most patients watch TV or sleep during their treatments. A Certified Hyperbaric Technologist (CHT) will monitor your treatment at all times and a physician will always be nearby. Once you are comfortably positioned inside the chamber, the technologist will slowly increase the air pressure. As the pressure changes at the beginning and end of the treatment, you may notice the same sensation you sometimes feel when changing altitude in an airplane. Your technologist will monitor you at all times and help you equalize the pressure between your ears.

Conditions that are approved for HBOT include:

Diabetic Wounds of Lower Extremities (nonhealing wounds complicated by secondary effects of diabetes)

Acute Peripheral Arterial Insufficiency (caused by sudden loss of blood flow due to a clot or blockage of an artery leading to loss of limbs)

Compromised Skin Grafts (caused by swelling and/or inadequate blood flow to grafts and/or flaps)

Chronic Refractory Osteomyelitis (caused by persistent bone infection that often leads to amputation)

Osteoradionecrosis (caused by radiation damage to the bones from cancer treatment)

Soft Tissue Radionecrosis (caused by radiation damage to the bowels, bladder or skin from cancer treatment)

Gas Gangrene (caused by poison-producing bacteria that destroy tissues)

Acute Traumatic Peripheral Ischemia (caused by sudden loss of blood flow to an extremity due to injury)

Crush Injuries (crushing can result in a lack of blood flow to the soft tissues of the body)

Necrotizing Infections (caused by “flesh-eating bacteria”, which progressively destroy tissues)

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning (caused by inhaling poisonous gas, which can build up in homes, buildings, garages, automobiles, etc. due to inadequate ventilation of furnaces, engines, stoves, fireplaces, etc.)

Decompression Illness (the “bends” occurs in scuba diving accidents from ascending too quickly)

Gas Embolism (the obstruction of a blood vessel by a gas bubble, which can occur in surgery, ICU patients and scuba divers)

Cyanide Poisoning (cyanide gas is released in fires from carpet, sofas, other household and various industrial materials)

Actinomycosis (an infection of the sinuses or airways)