Female staff giving post-cancer therapy advice for radiation injury in Atlanta

Radiation Injury Treatment

Heal Your Tissue More Effectively After Cancer Radiotherapy with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy In Metro Atlanta

What is a Radiation Injury?

Modern cancer treatment protocols, including radiation, play a vital role in improving survival rates, with over 50% of cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. However, the long-term effects of radiation can sometimes impact the surrounding healthy tissues, creating significant challenges for patients.

Radiation injury often manifests months or even years after treatment. These injuries result in:

Cell death in normal tissues
Damage to blood vessels in the irradiated areas, reducing oxygen supply
Depletion of stem cells necessary for natural healing
Formation of fibrotic tissue, leading to scarring and stiffness

This combination can lead to chronic conditions like impaired wound healing, tissue breakdown, and increased risk of bleeding in soft tissues, such as the bowel and bladder. These complications often reduce a patient’s quality of life and make additional surgical interventions in these areas more difficult.

If you are seeking hyperbaric oxygen therapy for radiation necrosis or radiation proctitis in Metro Atlanta, our expert, board-certified physicians are here to help.

How Can Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Help Radiation Injuries?

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a proven restorative treatment for addressing the effects of radiation injury. By delivering 100% medical-grade oxygen at increased atmospheric pressure, HBOT promotes healing in irradiated tissues. It enhances oxygenation to areas with poor blood supply, stimulates the growth of new blood vessels, reduces inflammation, and facilitates the repair of damaged tissues.

Woman Atlanta with radiation injury receiving comprehensive approach for non-healing wounds

At Regenerative & Hyperbaric Medicine, our HBOT is particularly effective in treating non-healing wounds like radiation cystitis, radiation proctitis, and radiation necrosis in irradiated areas. Our HBOT for radiation therapy in Metro Atlanta provides a comprehensive approach to mitigating radiation damage, often dramatically improving our patients' quality of life.

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Enhances White Blood Cell Effectiveness

Boosts the immune system to combat infection and inflammation.

Stimulates the Release of Stem Cells

Promotes the natural repair and regeneration of damaged tissues.

Improves Quality of Life

Reduces pain, bleeding, and discomfort in affected areas.

Supports Osteoclast Function

Helps clear out dead and infected tissue to make way for new bone growth.

Works Synergistically with Antibiotics

Enhances antibiotic efficacy and helps eliminate biofilms in infected areas.

Insurance Coverage for Most Conditions

Many insurance plans cover HBOT for radiation injuries, making it an accessible treatment option.

What to Expect During Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Treatment

When you undergo a hyperbaric oxygen therapy session for radiation injury in Metro Atlanta, our personalized care approach involves the following treatment steps to optimize oxygen therapy results:

Consultation and Assessment

Our experienced medical team will assess your condition to determine if HBOT is right for you. A detailed evaluation of your medical history and current health status will be conducted.

Treatment Session

During each treatment session, you'll be placed inside a specialized hyperbaric chamber. You’ll breathe pure oxygen while the pressure inside the chamber is increased, which allows oxygen to dissolve into your bloodstream and tissues. Sessions typically last between 60-90 minutes.

Frequency of Treatment

Most patients will require multiple sessions to see significant improvement. The number of treatments needed will vary based on the severity of the radiation injury and your individual healing response.

Post-Treatment Recovery

After your HBOT session, you’ll be monitored to ensure there are no adverse effects. Most patients experience minimal discomfort, and the increased oxygen levels will begin to promote healing and tissue regeneration.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Radiation Injury FAQs

Research and Studies on Efficacy of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Radiation Injuries

These peer-reviewed research and long-term studies provide clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in treating radiation injuries:

Long-term Incidence of Hematuria, Urethral Stricture & Bladder Cancer after Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer
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Hyperbaric oxygen treatment of chronic refractory radiation proctitis: a randomized and controlled double-bling crossover trial with long-term follow-up
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Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and delayed radiation injuries (soft tissue and bony necrosis)
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Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for hemorrhagic radiation cystitis
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Hyperbaric oxygen in the treatment of delayed radiation injuries of the extremities
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Researcher in Atlanta setting oxygen therapy machine for radiation injuries study

Man and woman discussing radiation effects, comprehensive care, and oxygen therapy in Atlanta.

Where to Find Radiation Injury Care in Metro Atlanta

Since 1993, Regenerative & Hyperbaric Medicine has been a trusted leader in comprehensive care for radiation injuries in Metro Atlanta, including Cumming, Marietta, and Sandy Springs. Led by Dr. David Schwegman, our compassionate team provides powerful customized treatment plans that leverage evidenced-based hyperbaric oxygen therapies within an integrative treatment approach to promote healing and recovery in irradiated areas that just won’t heal on their own.

Whether you’re recovering from chronic wounds or dealing with the late effects of radiation, we’ll develop a personalized HBOT plan to help you heal efficiently and effectively. Contact us today to learn more about how hyperbaric oxygen therapy can improve your quality of life.