Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
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Diabetic Foot and Wound Center
Wound Care Specialists & Podiatrists located in Bakersfield, CA
If you have a slow-healing wound at risk of infection, hyperbaric oxygen therapy provides a safe, effective means of care. At Diabetic Foot and Wound Center in Bakersfield, California and the wound care specialist team have a hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber on-site. During your visit, you can sit back, relax, and watch your favorite TV show, all while receiving the treatment you need. To schedule an appointment, call the office or book a consultation online today. Same-day and next-day appointments are available, as well as walk-ins.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Q & A
What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy exposes your body to higher levels of oxygen than what’s normally in the air. Ultimately, this process helps fight bacteria, stimulates healthy cells, and enhances your body’s natural healing process.
At Diabetic Foot and Wound Center, the team has a specially designed hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber in-office. It features a large, 41-inch interior that gives you ample room to rest in a reclined position. Additionally, the chamber can accommodate people of all sizes, including those weighing up to 700 pounds.
What conditions can hyperbaric oxygen therapy treat?
At Diabetic Foot and Wound Center, the team uses hyperbaric oxygen therapy to treat a variety of common conditions, including:
- Gangrene
- Skin and bone infections
- Leg ulcers
- Foot ulcers
- Slow-healing wounds
- Diabetic ulcers
- Skin grafts at risk of tissue death
You might also benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy if you have peripheral arterial disease (PAD) or venous insufficiency.
What happens during hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an outpatient procedure, meaning you return home on the same day as your appointment. Diabetic Foot and Wound Center offers same-day and next-day appointments, plus walk-in services, to ensure quick, convenient care.
You lie down on a table that slides into a clear tube. Once you’re comfortable, your provider presses a button that increases the air pressure in the chamber three-fold. This allows your lungs to absorb more oxygen. Your blood collects the excess oxygen and delivers it directly to the site of your wound.
During treatment, you can take a nap, watch TV, or listen to music. Your treatment session lasts anywhere between 30 minutes and two hours. The length of time you spend in the chamber depends on the size of your wound and the underlying cause.
Following hyperbaric oxygen therapy, it’s normal to feel tired or light-headed, but this won’t last for long. You should feel like yourself within an hour or two.
What results can I expect from hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
The results of hyperbaric oxygen therapy vary from patient to patient. Treatment success depends on the extent and severity of your wounds and how well your body responds. Most patients with diabetic and other chronic ulcers notice an improvement right away. Serious chronic ulcers usually reduce in size within a week.
In order to achieve the full benefit of treatment, the team at Diabetic Foot and Wound Center usually recommends a series of appointments spaced several weeks apart.
To explore hyperbaric oxygen therapy further, schedule an appointment at Diabetic Foot and Wound Center. Call the office or book a consultation online today. You can also walk-in for care.