Physician and nurse preparing a patient for hyperbaric oxygen therapy at the Wound Center.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

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812-375-3516

3015 10th St
Columbus IN

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Your Specialists In Wound Treatment

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which is administered on a daily basis at Columbus Regional Health's Wound Center, allows a patient to breathe 100 percent oxygen (2-3 times greater than atmospheric pressure), resulting in an increase of 10-15 times in plasma oxygen concentration. This increased oxygen in the tissue creates the optimal environment for the body's natural wound healing processes to repair damaged tissue. 

By forcing more oxygen into the tissue, hyperbaric oxygen therapy encourages the formation of new blood vessels. As new blood vessels develop, the red blood cells start to flow, delivering even more oxygen to the affected area. This creates the optimal environment for the body's natural healing processes to repair damaged tissue.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is effective in treatment of:

  • Diabetic wounds of the lower extremities
  • Radiation injury, such as osteoradionecrosis (bone) or radionecrosis (soft tissue)
  • Infection of the bone
  • Compromised skin graft/flap
  • Crush injuries
  • Necrotizing infections (bacterial infections that destroy the muscle, skin and underlying tissue)
  • Gas gangrene
  • Arterial insufficiency (condition that stops or slows blood flow to arteries)
  • Acute carbon monoxide poisoning
Physician and nurse with paitient who is inside a hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber.

Preparing for Your Visit

Most patients do not suffer from claustrophobia. Once inside the hyperbaric chamber, you will be able to see out in all directions and there is always an attendant in the room during your treatment. For those patients still feeling anxious about their treatment, the hyperbaric physician can prescribe medication that will relax you and make your treatment less stressful.

The only sensation you will experience is during the beginning (compression) phase of the treatment. The slowly increasing pressure will push on your eardrum. This is exactly the same feeling you would experience when landing in an airplane or diving to the bottom of a swimming pool. The Wound Center staff will instruct you on the different methods of relieving this ear pressure.

Your Safety

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is very safe as long as all the precautions are followed. As a patient, you will be given detailed information prior to your first treatment. Our staff will ensure your safety and make your therapy comfortable and stress-free.

It is extremely important that you do not use tobacco products during your course of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The nicotine and carbon monoxide in tobacco products diminish the process of healing and reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.

Do not drink any soft drinks or gas-producing foods 2 hours prior to your treatment. The carbonation and/or gas produced by some foods can cause stomach or bowel distress either during compression or decompression of the chamber.

The Science Behind HBOT

Breathing 100% oxygen under pressure causes the oxygen to diffuse into the blood plasma. This oxygen-rich plasma is able to travel past the restriction, diffusing up to three times further into the tissue. The pressurized environment helps to reduce swelling and discomfort, while providing the body with at least 10 times its normal supply of oxygen to help repair tissue damaged by the original occlusion or subsequent hypoxic condition.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy also encourages the formation of new blood vessels. As these new blood vessels develop, the red blood cells start to flow, delivering even more oxygen to the affected area. This creates the optimal environment for the body's natural healing processes to repair damaged tissue.

Our Team

Learn more about our Wound Care Team on the Columbus Regional Health Wound Center web page.

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