St. Mary’s Regional Treats Patients With Oxygen Therapy
November 19, 2024
The Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine program at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center helps people with chronic wounds. The staff who work in the treatment program understand the underlying conditions that cause acute and chronic wounds, including diabetes, poor circulation and infection.
St. Mary’s Family Medicine Physician Emily Cooper, MD, answers some important questions on this treatment for diabetes.
Q: What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)?
A: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) may be considered as a treatment option for certain chronic wounds and other conditions. In this procedure, a patient relaxes inside a pressurized chamber that is filled with 100 percent oxygen. Breathing pure, pressurized oxygen delivers high concentrations of oxygen to the bloodstream and the wound, accelerating the healing process. Wounds receiving HBOT have a much higher success of healing and can potentially prevent amputation.
Q: Why is it being used as a diabetes treatment?
A: With diabetes primarily affecting the small blood vessels, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is being used to increase blood flow and prevent oxygen failure. Research has shown that HBOT can lower blood sugar levels by increasing cellular sensitivity to insulin and muscle reception of glucose.
HBOT can benefit the following conditions that can result from diabetes:
- Diabetic Foot Ulcers
- Neuropathy
- Infection
- Inflammation
- Circulation
- Pain
At St. Mary's Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center each patient receives an individualized treatment plan and, when needed, the team will collaborate with other healthcare professionals in order to expedite treatment and healing.
Schedule an appointment or get more information
To schedule an appointment with St. Mary's Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center, call 580-548-5010, or get more information by visiting our wound care page.