What is HBOT?

Dr. Spiegel Talks About Oxygen Therapy

During Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), patients with a wide variety of medical conditions sit or lie in a chamber where they breathe in pure oxygen that floods the body in order to promote healing. Here at the center we use two types of chambers:

Mono-place chambers are clear, plexi-glass tubes that patients lie comfortably inside, while we fill the chamber with pure oxygen at higher than normal air pressures. Patients can listen to music or watch television to help make the time pass.

Multi-place chambers are larger units for 2 to 12 patients that we compress with air. Patients sit in large recliner chairs and breathe oxygen through a comfortable mask or hood. They are able to get up and move around, read, play games, watch television or listen to music.

Mono-place HBOT chambers provide an added advantage to those who have non-healing wounds. That’s because oxygen gets delivered to the surface of the body, as well as saturating bodily fluids so that new blood vessels can begin to form.

How Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Help Wounds Heal?

HBOT enables a person’s lungs to take in oxygen at a much higher rate than simply breathing in air normally. That oxygen flows into and through the bloodstream and circulates around the body. Swollen and injured body tissues need extra oxygen in order to function – and also to heal. HBOT’s high oxygen levels allow patients to lessen or end their pain, heal faster, and fight off infections.

People suffering from diabetes or other conditions that impact blood circulation often can’t get enough oxygen to support wound healing. Here are some specific ways HBOT works to heal diabetic wounds, ulcers, grafts, and soft tissue and bone infections:

• Floods tissues with oxygen in order to promote natural healing processes
• Improves white blood cell count and function in order to fight infection
• Enhances effects of antibiotics
• Stimulates growth of new blood vessels and delivers vital nutrients into areas with poor circulation
• Reduces swelling and inflammation
• Promotes superoxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant that reduces free radicals and decreases inflammation and pain

Is HBOT Right for You? If you’d like to meet for a short visit with Dr. Spiegel to see whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy could improve your specific health condition, simply call our office at 727-787-7077 or click here. A member of our staff will confirm your appointment soon.