Intro
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a daily treatment in which a patient breathes 100% oxygen 2-3 times greater than normal atmospheric pressure while in a hyperbaric chamber. This treatment results in an increase of 10-15 times in plasma oxygen concentration. This oxygen rich plasma is able to travel past restriction up to 3 times further in the body allowing it to reach low-oxygen areas, i.e. damaged tissue. The pressurized environment within the hyperbaric chamber helps to reduce swelling and discomfort, while providing the body with at least 10 times its normal supply of oxygen to help repair damaged tissues.
Diabetes
According to recent research Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be helpful for diabetes related wounds, as it can reduce the risks of health complications by healing wounds faster than usual. Diabetics are prone to have chronic wounds that take a long time to heal or do not heal. Diabetes related wounds are often associated with poor blood circulation. One characteristic of chronic wounds is that the wound tissues are hypoxic (have low oxygen levels). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment designed to increase the supply of oxygen to wounds that are not responding to other treatments. Research has shown hyperbaric treatments improve the chance of healing in the short term (up to six weeks) and may reduce the size of wounds among diabetic patients when used in conjunction with other wound healing treatments.
Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment
- Correct Tissue hypoxia (low oxygen levels)
- Can prevent amputations
- Reduce inflammation
- Mobilize and stimulate increase of stem cells
- Increased effectiveness of antibiotics
- Increases the body’s ability to fight infection
- Supports growth of new blood vessels
- Stimulates collagen production speeding up the wound healing process
What to expect at your Hyperbaric treatments
You will meet with one of our accredited hyperbaric physicians to ensure that HBOT is the right treatment for you. After consulting with the physician, a trained hyperbaric staff member will meet with you to discuss in detail about your treatment. We will cover topics such as safety, nutrition, logistics and scheduling. You will be given special clothing to wear for your treatments. You may experience a “popping” sensation in your ears, similar to when you fly in an airplane, during the compression and decompression of the chamber. Temperature inside the chamber can be controlled for patient comfort. Inside the hyperbaric chamber, you will be lying on a padded gurney and be able to watch cable television.
A trained staff member is at your side at all times, and you have constant communication available via a microphone.
Indications for use (as approved by Medicare)*
| Compromised skin grafts and flaps | Acute peripheral aerial insufficiency |
| Osteoradionecrosis | Chronic refractory osteomyelitis |
| Cyanide poisoning | Soft tissue radio necrosis |
| Diabetic wounds of the lower extremities | Actinomycosis |
| Radiation induced injury | Ideopathic sensoneural hearing loss |
*Other indications may be approved through third party insurances.
Personal lockers are available for our patients’ use and St. John’s always offers valet parking.
For more information about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Treatment, please contact: (914) 964-4630 or call our Physician Referral Service at (914) 964-4DOC (4362) or findadoc@riversidehealth.org for a recommended doctor.
