Wounds that refuse to heal can create more than just physical discomfort – they often carry emotional and psychological weight as well. For many, slow-healing wounds can significantly impact daily life, limiting mobility and independence and lowering overall quality of life.
Conventional wound treatment methods such as bandages and topical medications might not be enough for individuals with diabetes, burn survivors, and those recovering from surgery. These groups face unique challenges that traditional treatments often cannot address.
This is where hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) comes in. It’s a cutting-edge form of therapy that can help fight against the causes of lingering wounds, promoting healing from the inside out.
What are chronic wounds?
Chronic wounds are defined as injuries that do not progress through the normal stages of healing.
One major factor is poor circulation. This is frequently observed in individuals with diabetes, peripheral artery disease (PAD), or just those simply ageing. Statistics indicate that up to 20% of diabetic patients experience foot ulcers due to limited blood flow, which restricts vital nutrients and oxygen from reaching the injury site, thus hindering the healing process.
Another important factor is infections and inflammation. When a body part is injured, the immune system dials up its response considerably. However, it can sometimes lead to excessive inflammation, which hinders healing instead of helping it.
Something else that’s important to note is that oxygen deprivation in damaged tissues greatly affects healing. Oxygen is vital for cellular functions, including the production of new tissues and the formation of blood vessels, so without a sufficient oxygen supply, wounds may struggle to heal effectively.
How HBOT heals wounds
So, how exactly does HBOT improve healing?
HBOT involves placing patients inside a chamber where air pressure is elevated, and near-pure oxygen is inhaled via a mask over a prolonged period of time. This allows pressurised oxygen to dissolve into the blood plasma and penetrate deep into tissues, resulting in various healing effects.
Reduces swelling and infection risk: The increased pressure diminishes inflammation and helps oxygen fight certain infections.
Stimulates new blood vessel growth (angiogenesis): This is key for sending nutrients to the wound, which boosts healing potential.
Boosts collagen production and skin regeneration: Oxygen plays a vital role in creating collagen, an essential protein in skin repair.
By enhancing these natural healing processes, HBOT effectively reallocates resources to areas in need, helping to speed up the recovery period.
Conditions that benefit from HBOT for wound healing
Many conditions can significantly benefit from HBOT, especially regarding wound healing. Some notable examples include:
Diabetic ulcers: HBOT can lower the risk of amputation while speeding up healing for diabetic foot ulcers.
Burns & skin grafts: In patients with burns or skin grafts, oxygen therapy helps new skin develop more quickly and reduces scarring significantly.
Post-surgical wounds: Recovery after surgery can be tough, particularly for those with compromised circulation or complications. HBOT improves recovery by boosting oxygen delivery to these areas.
Radiation wounds: Patients receiving radiation treatment can suffer from damaged tissues; HBOT delivers crucial oxygen to promote healing in these afflicted areas.
Infected wounds and osteomyelitis: The treatment helps combat infections by supplying oxygen to often oxygen-starved and infected regions.
The flexibility of HBOT positions it as a powerful addition in the realm of modern wound care.
What to expect during an HBOT session at HybO2
To begin, you’ll have a consultation with a member of the team here at HybO2, which will be followed by fitting you with the mask and getting you positioned comfortably inside the chamber.
Once pressured, your session will begin, spending up to 110 minutes inside (minimum 60 minutes is recommended). Once complete, you will exit the chamber and be advised by our team to take a few moments to recover and rehydrate before going about your normal daily activities.
You can read more about what to expect during an HBOT session at HybO2 here.
Final thoughts
Chronic wounds present considerable challenges and often need more than standard wound management approaches. HBOT offers an innovative solution that effectively addresses various wound healing issues from within.
By understanding the science behind chronic wounds and harnessing the advantages HBOT has to offer, individuals can pursue more effective paths to healing – from diabetic ulcers to post-surgical recovery, the advantages of oxygen therapy are substantial.
If you are looking for effective wound care through HBOT, now is the time to consider how it can reshape wound healing, offering hope and improved outcomes for those struggling with slow-healing wounds.
If you have a slow-healing chronic wound and would like to see how HybO2 and HBOT can help, we’d love to be able to assist you.
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