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Hyperbaric medicine is one of the fastest growing fields in medical technology. For several decades its use in treating deep sea divers for decompression sickness and as the standard treatment protocol of persons exposed to carbon monoxide has become commonplace. Over the past ten years, however, it has become more widely recognized for its capabilities of treating non-healing wounds. More and more doctors are educating themselves to the profound benefits HBO therapy offers and accepting its use as an adjunctive treatment modality for patients suffering from, among a list of other indications, problem wounds, compromised skin grafts, osteoradionucrosis resulting from radiation treatments, brown recluse spider bites, and gas gangrenous infections. Furthermore, data compiled from ongoing research suggests that hyperbaric medicine has positive effects in treating cerebral palsy, CVA's (strokes), AIDS, acute MI's (heart attack) Meniere's Disease, migraines,  Bell's palsy, and multiple sclerosis among a host of others. 
A common problem suffered by many diabetic patients is problem wounds, usually distally on feet and toes, due to the nature of the disease and the body's inability to circulate oxygenated blood efficiently. Also, diabetic patients are predisposed to possible complications of surgical incisions for the same reason. The diabetic population has the highest rate of amputations resulting from wounds that won't heal. Physicians who have referred patients for hyperbaric treatment after other conventional methods have failed report a high success rate in amputation prevention. The ADA is an active endorser of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in treating diabetic ulcers.
As HBO therapy gains in popularity, the fact remains that far too many physicians are not up to date on the its positive benefits or simply discount HBO's healing potential. The surgical fees, rehabilitation, prosthetics, and the psychological trauma associated with amputations cost patients and Medicare millions of dollars every year. Patients who are facing amputation as the only possible option and who have not been referred to an HBO clinic for evaluation are strongly urged to ask their physician if hyperbaric medicine could be worth looking into, and it never hurts to get a second opinion. HBO therapy for non-healing diabetic ulcers are covered by Medicare and some private health insurance companies.
Click "View Presentation" below  to view the presentation which briefly outlines the history of hyperbaric medicine, gives some insight to types of chambers and what the therapy entails, lists the FDA approved indications, and describes conditions that would make HBO contraindicated. Also included are 2 case studies and photos.

 

 

 

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 Dr. Youn's paper, Oxygen and its Role in Wound Healing, as well as additional references sources, can be viewed in its entirety at the ETC Biomedical Systems website  

 

Click here for additional links to the infinite wealth of information regarding hyperbaric medicine on the World Wide Web.

 

 

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 *Please note: The two cases studies are graphic in nature. We opt to include only 2 case studies in the interest of file size. Feel free to send us an email to request additional case studies and photographs.

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