It can be very hard to notice the smallest wounds on the bottom of their feet due to neuropathy, a nerve disorder prevalent in the diabetic community caused by low circulation. These cuts and scrapes can compound into infected ulcers and lead to amputations.
We have successfully cared for and seen many kinds of wounds, from surgical incisions to diabetic ulcers. As a clinic we have successfully prevented multiple diabetic patients from needing painful, disabling, and expensive amputations. In fact, HBOT is most commonly used to help heal wounds. In the case of both chronic and acute wounds, HBOT raises the saturation of oxygen within the blood and tissues of the body, lowers the risk of infection (by attacking bacteria that thrive in low oxygen), activates wound healing factors like angiogenesis (the growth of new blood vessels), and increases circulation of stem cells, all of which help the body heal and close the wound.
Why are diabetic wounds hard to heal?
Wound healing is the body’s biological process of repairing damaged tissue and cells. Diabetic wounds heal slower than typical wounds due to many complications working together: higher blood glucose levels impair the immune function of white blood cells, insulin imbalance disrupts the body’s ability to create the needed energy to rebuild cells, and poor circulation restricts oxygen & nutrients from reaching the extremities.
How does HBOT help wound healing?
- Increased Blood Oxygen – Increased oxygen dissolved into the blood plasma through HBOT helps the delivery of oxygen to areas of the body with compromised circulation
- Capillary growth – Longer-term HBOT stimulates the growth of new capillaries, furthering the body’s ability to deliver oxygen and nutrients into areas that need them most
- Increased Energy – When the mitochondria have access to more oxygen, the body produces more of the cellular energy (ATP) needed to heal wounds, and improve overall well-being
- Anti-inflammatory – HBOT has been shown to reduce inflammation after just one treatment, which increases circulation by reducing pressure on the vascular system
- Eliminates Bacterial Infections and Improves the effectiveness of antibiotics – The bad bacteria responsible for infection cannot live in the hyper-oxygenated environment created in the patient’s body after undergoing HBOT. Inhibits clostridial toxin production and improves the potency of some antibiotics
- Speeds wound healing – Stimulation of mitochondria and fibroblast leads to increased collagen production and cellular repair
At Elevate Care, we can successfully treat diabetic ulcers. Give us a call for more details about our HBOT protocol for diabetic ulcers, and to book your first treatment. Our state-of-the-art clinic features knowledgeable staff, a relaxing environment, and comfortable hyperbaric chambers. We’d love to answer your questions and look forward to working with you.