Serious Bacterial Infections
Introduction
Serious bacterial infections such as soft-tissue infections, gangrene, and bone infections can be life-threatening and often require urgent treatment with surgery and antibiotics. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can be used alongside these treatments to support the body’s ability to fight infection and heal.
During HBOT, patients breathe almost pure oxygen in a pressurised chamber, which allows the body to absorb more oxygen and deliver it to infected tissues, where it can slow or stop the spread of infection, support the immune system, and promote healing.
HBOT is a safe and straightforward procedure with few side effects. While it does not replace antibiotics or surgery, it can help the body recover from serious infections.
How HBOT Works for Serious Bacterial Infections
During hyperbaric oxygen therapy at OxyGeneration, patients are treated with almost pure oxygen in a chamber in which the pressure is higher than atmospheric pressure for 90 minutes. Several sessions may be recommended depending on the infection and individual health needs. HBOT may support the body’s natural healing processes in several ways:
Stopping the spread of harmful bacteria:
Many dangerous bacteria, including those that cause some types of gangrene, cannot survive in high-oxygen environments.Supporting antibiotics:
Oxygen may make certain antibiotics work better by improving how they reach infected areas.Anti-inflammatory Effects:
HBOT can reduce inflammation, which may protect the body from further damage.Improving circulation and healing:
By increasing oxygen delivery to damaged tissues, HBOT can reduce swelling, improve blood flow, and speed up recovery.
Potential Benefits of HBOT for Bacterial Infections
For patients with severe bacterial infections, HBOT can provide several important benefits when used as part of a treatment plan:
Reduced tissue damage:
By stopping bacteria from spreading, improving circulation, and reducing inflammation, HBOT can help preserve healthy tissue.Fewer surgeries or amputations:
In conditions like gangrene and necrotising (‘tissue killing’) infections, HBOT may reduce the amount of surgery needed.Faster Recovery:
HBOT may help the body fight infections more efficiently, leading to a quicker recovery.Improved Quality of Life:
Better recovery and reduced complications can help patients return to normal activities more quickly.
Clinical Evidence
HBOT has been used for decades alongside standard treatments for serious bacterial infections, especially those caused by bacteria that cannot survive exposure to oxygen. Clinical studies have found that patients with necrotising infections may have lower mortality rates and need less surgery when treated with HBOT alongside standard care. HBOT can also help stop toxin production and bacterial growth in some types of gangrene, which can be life-saving when used quickly. In some cases of long-term or difficult-to-treat bone infections, HBOT can improve antibiotic effectiveness and healing.
Although HBOT is not a replacement for surgery or antibiotics, it is recognised internationally as an important adjunctive therapy for life-threatening infections.
Conclusion
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a safe, non-invasive treatment that can support the body’s fight against serious bacterial infections by increasing oxygen levels in the blood. While it is not a cure on its own, alongside standard treatments, HBOT can slow the spread of infection, improve the body’s natural defences, and help tissues heal, reducing the risk of complications and the need for major surgery.
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