Wound Treatment: How hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) works

Wound Treatment: How hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) works

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Greater than normal oxygen is known for helping wounds heal quicker. Generally, when you wound, that area is starved of oxygen. Whether internal bruising, swollen blood vessels, or a severe burn, providing oxygen-rich plasma will increase the blood flow again. Eventually, helping the platelets to rush toward the wounded region and begin the healing process.

However, our environment can only provide us with a total of 21% of oxygen. If the wound is too severe, that won’t suffice the treatment. This is where the functionality of a new medical procedure comes to play.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy does work wonders as a new up-and-coming wound treatment. To begin with, it provides you with 100% oxygen within a pressurized chamber. To learn more about how HBOT works, visit https://oxygenark.com.

In this excerpt below, we will discuss how it works and how it is good for wound treatment.

How Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Works

Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment is a 100% pure oxygen treatment often provided inside a pressurized room or individual chamber. This used to be well-known among the deep-divers and mountain climbers community. It helped treat their body from the ailments caused by the difference in pressure and thinning of oxygen in different altitudes.

However, the medical sphere has now extended the Hyperbaric Oxygen treatment to wound healing and post-healing care. One can be inside these capsules for over 3 minutes or 2 hours. This depends on the wound they are trying to heal. The frequency of the treatment also depends on the wound treatment. However, since there are fewer side effects (other than those we will discuss later), one can opt for HBOT treatment every day.

According to medical observation, it takes about two weeks of regularity to see some results. Since it takes that long for new tissues to form properly around the blood vessel, preventing any danger of permanent tissue damage. By the 18th day, you should be able to notice positive changes in your existing wound.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment For Wounds: Know The Magic

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been widely used as a therapeutic approach for various types of wounds, and its effectiveness in wound healing has been well-documented. While it may not be “magic” per se, HBOT offers remarkable benefits in promoting wound healing and improving outcomes.

Here are some key aspects of understanding the effectiveness of HBOT for wounds:

Enhanced Oxygen Supply

HBOT involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber, resulting in increased oxygen levels in the bloodstream. This excess oxygen can reach areas with compromised blood flow, significantly boosting oxygen-starved tissues. Adequate oxygenation is crucial for cellular function and plays a vital role in the wound-healing process.

Accelerated Wound Healing

HBOT stimulates and accelerates the wound-healing process. The increased oxygen levels help create an optimal environment for cellular activities, including collagen synthesis, angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), and tissue regeneration. These factors contribute to faster wound closure, reduced infection risk, and improved overall healing outcomes.

Antibacterial Effects

HBOT has both direct and indirect antibacterial effects. The elevated oxygen levels inhibit the growth of certain bacteria that thrive in low-oxygen environments. Additionally, HBOT enhances the body’s immune response, boosting the ability to fight infection and reducing the risk of wound-related complications.

Reduction Of Tissue Edema

Swelling and edema around wounds can hinder the healing process. HBOT helps alleviate edema by promoting fluid drainage and reducing tissue swelling. By improving blood flow and optimizing tissue oxygenation, HBOT aids in removing excess fluid, thereby reducing edema and facilitating healing.

Treatment Of Challenging Wounds

HBOT is particularly beneficial in treating complex or difficult-to-heal wounds. Examples include diabetic foot ulcers, radiation-induced tissue damage, and compromised skin grafts or flaps. In these cases, HBOT can significantly improve wound healing outcomes, potentially preventing the need for more invasive interventions or amputations.

The Different Kinds Of Wounds Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Claims To Treat

Here are the following types of wounds which Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy claims to heal. 

  • Radiation injuries.
  • Crush injuries.
  • Infections.
  • Burns.
  • Certain skin grafts and flaps
  • Diabetes-related wounds.

All in all, any form of injury takes time to heal with the number of platelets. Our body generates, especially with ailments like severe third-degree burns, skin grafts, or open wounds.

The doctor will mostly recommend you use a daily HBOT to enrich your blood plasma with more oxygen daily.

Top 5 Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Wound Care 

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been used as an adjunctive treatment for various types of wounds and has shown several benefits in wound care. 

Here are five key benefits of HBOT for wound healing:

Enhanced Tissue Oxygenation

HBOT significantly increases the oxygen supply to tissues, even in areas with compromised blood flow. The high levels of oxygen delivered during HBOT promote the oxygenation of tissues, which is vital for wound healing. Increased oxygen levels help stimulate cellular metabolism, promote new blood vessel formation (angiogenesis), and enhance the body’s natural healing processes.

Improved Wound Healing And Tissue Repair

HBOT has been shown to accelerate wound healing by promoting the formation of new blood vessels and the production of collagen, a key component in tissue repair. It also helps reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, creating a favorable environment for the healing process.

Antibacterial Effects

HBOT exhibits direct antibacterial effects by enhancing the immune response and improving oxygen delivery to infected tissues. The increased oxygen levels inhibit the growth of certain bacteria and enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics, making it an effective treatment for infected wounds.

Reduction Of Edema And Swelling

HBOT can help reduce edema (swelling) around wounds. The increased oxygen levels and improved blood flow promote the removal of excess fluid from the tissues, reducing swelling and facilitating the healing process.

Treatment Of Specific Wound Types

HBOT has shown particular efficacy in treating certain types of wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers, radiation-induced tissue damage, and compromised skin grafts or flaps. It can improve outcomes in these challenging wound conditions and reduce the need for more invasive interventions or amputations.

If you or someone you know has a wound that is not healing or requires advanced wound care, consulting with a healthcare professional experienced in HBOT and wound management can provide personalized advice and guidance on incorporating HBOT into the treatment plan.

HBOT’s benefits in wound care have been well-documented. Still, it’s crucial to approach it as part of a multidisciplinary approach that includes proper wound care techniques, infection management, and overall medical support.

How Should You Prepare For Your First Wound Healing

Although there are few side effects to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, one should take the right precautions as there are still some risks.

  • When we speak about wound healing, we talk about internal and external wounds, not post-surgical ones. HBOT makes no such claim to heal post-surgical wounds.
  • You will lie on a table, and then that will be slid inside a monoplane with a tube. 
  • The standard dress is an anti-inflammable medical gown that is compulsory to be worn.
  • You can entertain yourself through television during the hour-long procedure.
  • The chamber will be sealed, and once you are inside, it will start filling with pressurized oxygen.
  • People with claustrophobia should opt for an HBOT room rather than a closed chamber, as it can trigger their phobia.
  • The pressure will be a little higher than normal. Therefore, try to breathe normally, and if you have an earache, ask the instructor to teach you some pressure-relieving exercises. If it persists, stop the procedure.

Side Effects To Consider

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is generally considered safe, but there are a few potential side effects. 

These include ear barotrauma (pressure-related ear pain or damage), sinus barotrauma (pressure-related sinus discomfort or injury), oxygen toxicity (excessive oxygen exposure leading to seizures or lung damage), and myopia (temporary or permanent nearsightedness). 

It’s important to undergo HBOT under the supervision of trained professionals who can monitor your condition and manage any potential side effects effectively.

Conclusion 

HBOT has proven beneficial in treating challenging wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, radiation-induced tissue damage, and compromised skin grafts or flaps. It can significantly improve outcomes in these cases, potentially avoiding the need for more invasive interventions or amputations.

However, it is important to note that HBOT is typically employed as part of a comprehensive wound care plan. Proper wound care techniques, infection management, and other medical interventions may be necessary in conjunction with HBOT for optimal results.

Also Read: 3 Common Problems That Can Be Solved With Online Hypnotherapy

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