Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) was initially intended to treat deep-sea divers with decompression sickness, also known as “the bends.” When a diver returns to the water’s surface too quickly, nitrogen bubbles from the diver’s tank accumulate in the blood and tissues, instead of being breathed out on ascent. HBOT delivers pure oxygen under high pressure to the body systems, which forces these nitrogen bubbles back into liquid form, making the nitrogen easier to flush from the body.
Post Infectious Disease Syndrome (Long Haul Symptoms)
It turns out that many of the symptoms associated with decompression sickness are similar to those associated with long-haul conditions after certain viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections.
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Headaches/dizziness/tinnitus
Brain fog/compromised cognition
Joint and muscle pain
many others
One of the explanations for this is extended lowered oxygen levels in the body during illness. Cells and tissues can be starved for oxygen to the point that damage occurs at the mitochondrial level making full recovery much more difficult.
These symptoms are more than just annoying. They can negatively affect the quality of life for up to a year or more after no longer testing positive for illness.
Oxygen received in a pressurized chamber is able to penetrate tissues that normally might not receive oxygen from the blood supply alone. Saturating cells with pure oxygen supercharges the recovery process by increasing the production of stem cells, reducing inflammation, and repairing damaged mitochondria, the ultimate source of cellular energy. Increased stem cell production helps in killing treatment-resistant infections and alleviating symptoms of long-haul syndrome, as well as many other chronic conditions.
Attacking the physiology of the problem is much more effective than merely treating the symptoms
Diabetic Foot Ulcers/Non-Healing Wounds
Non-healing wounds, such as those from a surgical site in an immunocompromised individual or those associated with diabetes can present problematic challenges, but HBOT shows promise in meeting them.
Nerve tissues are the first tissues to show signs of lack of oxygen or its availability, however, they are also the first to respond to pressurized oxygen therapy.
By increasing the oxygen concentration in the wound, HBOT stimulates angiogenesis (the process by which new blood vessels form from existing ones) as well as the formation of connective tissue in and around the wound. Both effects dramatically support wound healing. To complement the body’s improved natural healing abilities, HBOT can also assist in the delivery of certain antibiotics to damaged tissues.
When used in conjunction with other holistic healing modalities, such as red light therapy, clinical nutrition, supplementation, and antioxidant support, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can succeed where conventional treatments may have failed.
If you’re interested in how Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy may help with your long-haul symptoms or complications from diabetes, contact DTX Sports Medicine today.
