Circulation Issues
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy or Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy (“HBOT”) is where you breathe nearly 100% oxygen via face mask while inside a special chamber that is pressurised. This therapy has many benefits for circulation problems like peripheral arterial disease (PAD), atherosclerosis, chronic limb ischaemia, and non-healing wounds. These issues happen when the blood flow is poor, which leads to low oxygen levels in the tissues. By improving oxygen delivery, HBOT can help treat these conditions.
How HBOT Works for Circulation Issues
HBOT helps with circulation problems in several ways. Patients breathe near 100% pure oxygen in a high-pressure chamber (2 ATA) for ≥1 hours during multiple sessions.
1. Increased Oxygenation:
HBOT increases the amount of oxygen in the blood, which helps the oxygen reach areas with poor circulation.
2. New Blood Vessel Growth (Angiogenesis:
HBOT helps create new blood vessels, which is crucial for healing broken bones. HBOT encourages your body to produce special substances that promote blood vessel growth. These substances help form new blood vessels around the broken bone. The new blood vessels are important because they bring nutrients and healing cells to the injured area. This process can help boost your circulation.
3. Reduces Inflammation:
HBOT lowers the levels of harmful proteins in the blood, which helps reduce inflammation.
4. Activating Stem Cells:
HBOT stimulates the release of stem cells that help in tissue repair.
Benefits of HBOT for Circulation Issues
HBOT is generally safe and well-tolerated. Patients with circulation issues can experience several benefits:
Better Blood Vessel Health:
HBOT can improve the overall health of blood vessels and help improve overall circulation.
Faster Wound Healing:
Wounds need a good blood supply, and particularly a good oxygen supply to heal. By delivering more oxygen, HBOT helps speed up the healing of chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, thereby possibly reducing amputation risk.
Less Pain:
HBOT can help reduce chronic pain by promoting tissue repair and reducing inflammation.
Increased Mobility:
By improving oxygen delivery, HBOT can help patients move better and engage in physical activities.
Practical Considerations
Client Selection:
Typically HBOT is recommended for circulatory conditions that do not respond to standard treatments. It is increasingly being introduced earlier in treatment plans but not everyone is suitable for HBOT. Clients need to fully disclose any conditions that might make the treatment risky, such as certain lung problems. Where required, an evaluation by a doctor before treatment ensures safety and helps determine if HBOT is the right choice for each client. Please note that OxyGeneration does not provide diagnostic services and is a treatment provide only. We strongly encourage all clients to consult with their medical team if required.
Treatment Protocols:
Treatments usually last 80 minutes per session and are conducted daily over several weeks. Every individual is different and we recommend consulting with your medical team. To help determine how many sessions each individual will require, new clients can speak with OxyGeneration staff prior to commencing their Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy.
Monitoring Progress:
Regular assessments are crucial to track healing progress and adjust the treatment plan as necessary.
Conclusion
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a promising and effective treatment for circulation conditions. It helps deliver more oxygen, increase blood flow, reduces inflammation, and improves the overall quality of life for patients. If you have chronic circulation issues, talk to your doctor about whether HBOT is a suitable option for you.
For further information on the use of HBOT for circulation issues, please visit our resources page by clicking the link below.