Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Montgomery AL

Alabama Surgical Arts now offers their patients hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to hasten healing and improve surgical outcomes.

What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy delivers pure oxygen to the body in an enclosed space using higher-than-normal air pressure. It was originally developed and used to treat decompression sickness experienced by scuba divers or astronauts. HBOT is now used for wound care, serious tissue disease, carbon monoxide poisoning, burns, anemia, skin grafts, and radiation poisoning.

Why Choose Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy provides patients with air containing 100% oxygen. The pressurized chamber also delivers the oxygen at a higher air pressure than normal, helping the lungs absorb more oxygen. This, in turn, helps the body heal damaged tissues and fight infections.

The Benefits and Goals of HBOT

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment helps your body’s natural healing ability by enhancing its ability to grow new skin, connective tissues, and blood vessels. It also boosts immune system function, encouraging rapid, more efficient response to infections. The ultimate goal of HBOT is to enhance the body’s healing and regeneration capabilities to augment invasive treatments, heal wounds, or aid in healing wounds that are resistant to other treatments due to underlying conditions such as diabetes.

Conditions Treated with HBOT

There are numerous conditions currently being treated with HBOT, including:

  • Embolisms (gas or air bubbles in the blood vessels)
  • Decompression sickness
  • Burns
  • Carbon monoxide poisoning
  • Gangrene
  • Severe wounds that have broken the skin
  • Severe skin or bone infections
  • Radiation sickness or burns
  • Anemia
  • Skin grafts
  • Crushing injuries

Additional Benefits for Cosmetic Surgery Patients

Our cosmetic surgery patients receive significant benefits from Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, including:

  • Accelerated healing
  • Reduced swelling and bruising
  • Reduced pain and discomfort
  • Rapid tissue repair
  • Decreased risk of infection
  • Boosted immune system
  • Faster, smoother recovery

How HBOT Works

During hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), several mechanisms work, each contributing to the healing process. HBOT brings oxygen-rich plasma to damaged tissues that are starved for oxygen. Wounds damage blood vessels and leak fluids into the surrounding tissues, causing inflammation. HBOT reduces swelling and provides oxygen for tissue regeneration.

Hyperbaric Oxygen treatment also prevents reperfusion injury, which is when severely damaged tissues are further damaged by a return of blood that leads to oxygen radicals permanently damaging tissues. HBOT can also disable toxins in some bacteria while increasing oxygen in tissues while increasing oxygen concentrations so they can resist infection.

Who Can Benefit from Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

Anyone suffering from poorly healing wounds, particularly diabetics with skin ulcers or open wounds, can benefit from HBOT. Others include individuals who have undergone cosmetic surgery and are interested in a smooth recovery with minimal downtime. Patients with failed skin grafts may also benefit from HBOT, which increases blood flow to the grafting site, encouraging attachment and new blood vessel growth.

HBOT Pros and Cons

The “Pros” of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy are numerous and have been proven in countless studies. They include:

  • Increasing oxygen to tissues
  • Increasing blood flow and circulation
  • Boosting the immune system
  • Elevating white blood cell counts
  • Reducing inflammation and pain
  • Stimulating stem cell production
  • Enhancing the effectiveness of antibiotics
  • Stimulating collagen production
  • Helping wounds heal better, particularly diabetic ulcers.

As with any treatment, there are “Cons” as well. These are the downsides that you need to consider. Some will only affect a certain section of the population, so be sure to discuss them with your surgeon to determine whether HBOT is right for you.

  • Minor side effects include lightheadedness, earaches, fatigue, or sinus congestion. These are usually temporary.
  • More serious complications may include middle ear damage, embolism, or a collapsed lung.
  • Claustrophobia if a patient is placed in an encased chamber, which can be small and confining.

What Happens During the Procedure?

Depending on the HBOT chamber used, patients can sit or lie comfortably in the sealed chamber, taking deep breaths. Sessions may last anywhere from 45 minutes to 5 hours, depending on the reason for treatment.

As the air pressure is raised, your ears may feel plugged (like when you are in an airplane during takeoff). Patients can try swallowing or chewing gum to relieve the pressure in their ears.

Oxygenated blood travels throughout the patient’s body, infusing injured tissues with more oxygen to begin healing. When the HBOT session is complete, many patients feel lightheaded or unsteady. Mild, temporary side effects may include fatigue, headache, or claustrophobia. We ask that someone responsible drive you home after each hyperbaric oxygen therapy session.

Most patients undergo several sessions to receive the full benefits. Talk to our office staff and your insurance provider to determine whether HBOT will cover all or a portion of the therapy.

After Treatment Care and Expectations

After HBOT, you may feel lightheaded, dizzy, tired, or hungry. When you get home, you should hydrate with plenty of water and eat a small meal. Your blood sugar may be low, so a balanced meal will help stabilize it. If you are fatigued, a short nap can help. Otherwise, return to your natural activities. Gentle exercise and stretches can help get rid of some of the extra oxygen in your system and get a restful night’s sleep.

If you show any concerning side effects, such as rash, itchy skin, headache, nausea, swelling, or joint pain, contact our office at Alabama Surgical Arts Office Phone Number 334-271-2002 immediately. These could be signs of Decompression Sickness (DCS). However, DCS is rare and seldom occurs unless you undergo multiple, lengthy treatments.

Schedule Your HBOT Consultation

The surgeons at Alabama Surgical Arts utilize hyperbaric oxygen therapy to improve cosmetic surgery results and minimize recovery times for our patients. If you are considering cosmetic surgery, HBOT can provide comfortable, successful results while minimizing your pain and recovery time. Contact our office at Alabama Surgical Arts Office Phone Number 334-271-2002 to schedule a consultation to learn more about how hyperbaric oxygen therapy can make your cosmetic surgery experience easier.

Breathe New Life Into Your Health!

Ready for improved healing, enhanced immune function, reduced inflammation, and more? Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)!

Call us: 334-271-2002