10 Ailments That Heal Faster With Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

You might have heard about hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) as a go-to solution for scuba enthusiasts facing decompression sickness — what you may not be familiar with is that its benefits stretch far beyond the ocean depths. From helping victims of carbon monoxide poisoning to speeding up the healing of stubborn diabetic foot ulcers, HBOT has proven to be clinically effective in accelerating the healing process for various conditions affecting different parts of the body.  

Curious about how hyperbaric oxygen therapy works and which medical conditions it works best for? Read on to discover the top health conditions that benefit most from HBOT and where to find the best hyperbaric oxygen therapy in metro Atlanta. 

What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a medical treatment that involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment. During treatment, patients enter a special chamber where the air pressure is increased to two or three times higher than normal atmospheric pressure. This allows your lungs to gather much more oxygen than would be possible at normal air pressure. 

The extra oxygen is then carried throughout your body by your blood, thus promoting healing and fighting infection. During a typical session, which usually lasts one to two hours, you simply relax, breathe normally, and let the pressurized oxygen do its work. HBOT is used to treat a variety of medical conditions and is especially effective for issues involving oxygen-starved tissues.

Top Conditions That Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Works Best For

From infections to sports injuries, you'll be amazed at the diverse range of health problems that can benefit from this innovative treatment: 

1. Radiation Damaged Tissue

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) helps heal radiation-damaged tissue by flooding the affected areas with oxygen-rich blood. This extra oxygen stimulates the growth of new blood vessels, improving circulation and promoting healing. HBOT also reduces inflammation and swelling, helping to repair damaged cells and tissues more quickly. For cancer patients who've undergone radiation therapy, this can mean faster recovery and less long-term damage to healthy tissues.

2. Diabetic Foot Ulcers

For diabetic foot ulcers, HBOT works by increasing the amount of oxygen in the blood, which is essential for wound healing. This extra oxygen helps fight infection, reduce swelling, and stimulate blood vessel repair, all of which work to improve blood flow to bring more nutrients and oxygen to the wound site and up the healing process. HBOT can also help prevent amputations in severe cases by promoting faster and more effective healing of these stubborn ulcers as part of a chronic condition management strategy.

3. Non-Healing Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis, an infection of the bone, can be tough to treat. HBOT helps by delivering high levels of oxygen to the infected bone, which can help create an environment where bacteria struggle to survive. The increased oxygen also boosts the effectiveness of antibiotics and enhances the body's natural immune response. This combination helps fight the infection more effectively and promotes faster healing of the damaged bone tissue.

4. Peripheral Vascular Disease | Gangrene

In cases of peripheral vascular disease and gangrene — an infection that destroys tissues — HBOT improves circulation by promoting the formation of new blood vessels. The high-pressure environment helps oxygen dissolve more easily in the blood, reaching areas with poor blood flow. This increased oxygen supply helps revive damaged tissues, fights infection, and can help prevent the need for amputation in severe cases.

5. Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is a chronic intestinal disease that can be debilitating and disruptive. There are several treatment options, including medication and surgery, but HBOT offers a unique and holistic option by reducing inflammation in the digestive tract. The high-pressure oxygen environment suppresses inflammatory processes and promotes the growth of healthy tissue. It also enhances the body's ability to fight off harmful bacteria that can worsen Crohn's symptoms. By improving overall gut health, HBOT can help manage symptoms and promote healing during flare-ups.

6. Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussions

In cases of traumatic brain injury or concussions, HBOT helps by increasing oxygen supply to damaged brain tissues. This extra oxygen reduces swelling, promotes the growth of new blood vessels, and helps repair damaged neurons. The therapy can also stimulate the creation of new brain cells, potentially improving cognitive function and speeding up recovery from brain injuries.

7. Long-Haul COVID

For those suffering from long-term symptoms of COVID-19, HBOT can dramatically reduce underlying inflammation and oxygen deprivation in various body systems. Thus encouraging the body to speed up the repair of damaged tissues, boost energy levels, and improve cognitive function. This brings welcoming relief to those struggling with symptoms like persistent fatigue, brain fog, and muscle pain.

8. Acute Peripheral Ischemia

Acute peripheral ischemia occurs when blood flow to a limb is suddenly reduced, usually by injury or infection. HBOT helps by supplying much-needed oxygen to oxygen-starved tissues. The high-pressure environment allows more oxygen to dissolve in the blood plasma, reaching areas with restricted blood flow. This can help prevent tissue death, reduce pain, and promote the growth of new blood vessels, potentially saving the affected limb from amputation.

9. Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection

In cases of necrotizing soft tissue infections, HBOT plays an essential role in healing by creating an oxygen-rich environment where flesh-eating bacteria struggle to survive. The increased oxygen levels also boost the body's immune response and enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics. HBOT helps reduce swelling, promotes faster healing, and can limit the spread of the infection, potentially reducing the need for extensive surgical removal of infected tissue.

10. Sports Injuries

For sports injuries, HBOT accelerates healing by increasing the oxygen supply to damaged tissues. This extra oxygen reduces inflammation, promotes the formation of new blood vessels, and stimulates the production of collagen, which is essential for repairing damaged muscles, tendons, and ligaments. HBOT can also help reduce pain and swelling, allowing athletes to return to their sport more quickly and with a lower risk of re-injury.

Where to Find the Best Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Georgia 

Regenerative and Hyperbaric Medicine offers a unique blend of expertise, experience, and compassionate care. For more than three decades, we've been the trusted leaders in comprehensive wound care and HBOT across the entire Metro Atlanta area. What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to putting you, our patient, first. We understand that every individual's healing journey is unique, which is why we meticulously tailor each treatment plan to address your specific healing needs, including HBOT and advanced wound care. Regenerative and Hyperbaric Medicine is accredited by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS). We have been accredited with distinction since 2017 and are proud to maintain a 100% safety record. In addition to HBOT, our wound care physicians offer advanced wound care treatments such as skin grafting, negative pressure wound therapy, and surgical debridement. 

Our state-of-the-art facilities in Cumming, Marietta, and Sandy Springs feature cutting-edge treatments, combined with our personalized approach, to offer you a significantly better chance at full recovery from chronic health conditions and injuries. Under the leadership of Dr. David Schwegman, our team of board-certified wound care physicians and expert HBOT technicians bring a wealth of knowledge and a genuine passion for healing to every interaction. 

Ready to become part of our caring community dedicated to your well-being and recovery?