In this blog, we are going to put the spotlight on chronic wounds and how HbOT can aid wound healing.
At Oxify branches in Leeds, Manchester, Retford, York and Newcastle (Gateshead), we offer Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HbOT), to clients for a number of different health conditions, including those experiencing chronic wounds for one reason or another.
HbOT is an effective complementary therapy delivering pure oxygen while our clients relax in a pressurised chamber.
HbOT complementary treatments boost the body’s natural healing process by preventing infection and reducing inflammation around the wound site. At the same time, it increases the delivery of oxygen into tissue, aiding regeneration and speeding up the healing process.
Before we take a closer look at how HbOT can aid wound healing, we will examine some of the factors that can cause our clients to suffer from chronic or non-healing wounds.
N.B. Chronic or non-healing wounds are defined as wounds that don’t progress naturally through the normal stages of healing in six to eight weeks.
There are a number of factors that can prevent the body from healing naturally: Systemic; Local; External and Psychological.
Systemic factors are underlying health issues that have a negative impact on the body’s ability to heal itself naturally.
Causes damage to blood vessels and nerves, which affect the blood flow to damaged tissue, preventing the normal healing process. Particular areas of concern are the feet, which can become ulcerated.
Exacerbates chronic inflammation on the surface of the wound, preventing healing.
Peripheral Arterial Disease reduces blood flow to damaged tissue, preventing healing by limiting the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the wound.
Hinders healing because of a deficiency in essential proteins, vitamins and minerals required to produce new cells.
Can cause swelling, skin breakdown and even ulcers (particularly in legs), through an inefficient blood flow back to the heart.
An impaired kidney function can lead to an accumulation of toxins and an imbalance of electrolytes in the body, interfering with the natural tissue regeneration required for healing.
Liver disease affects blood clotting and the production of proteins – both are critical to natural healing.
Cellular processes slow down, particularly the immune system and the production of collagen.
Conditions such as HIV can weaken the immune system, hindering the body’s ability to heal itself.
Increases the pressure on wounds and impairs blood circulation. In addition, folds of skin can trap moisture and bacteria, impeding the healing process.
Local factors are conditions that affect the wound site itself, slowing down or preventing natural healing from taking place.
Bacterial, fungal or viral infections cause excessive inflammation, impeding healing.
Wounds affected by pressure (e.g., bed sores), stop blood flow and prevent tissue oxygenation.
Excessive fluid delays healing through extreme softening of the skin.
E.g., inadequate cleaning/dressing and neglect can lead to infection. Substances or objects left in the wound cause excessive inflammation and infection.
Necrotic tissue prevents cell regeneration and promotes the growth of bacteria in the wound.
External issues are substances introduced into the body such as medication or drugs, which can affect the body’s natural healing process:
Causes the narrowing of blood vessels. This reduces the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the wound, resulting in slower healing.
Excessive drinking affects the immune system and impedes blood clotting, interfering with the effectiveness of the body’s own healing process.
Some medications can impair healing by affecting blood clotting and suppressing the immune system. For example, anticoagulants, anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids.
Weakens the immune system, affecting the healing process.
Over time, the increased cortisol levels caused by stress weaken the immune system, reducing the body’s response to infection and slowing or even preventing wound healing.
Affects a patient’s capacity for self-care and wound care procedures, with a disinterest in their own physical condition.
If you or a loved one are affected by any of the conditions we have outlined in this blog, you will understand all too well the negative impact they have on the healing process.
Inflammation is a natural reaction of the body to injury and offers protection, but when it becomes chronic, it can prolong or impede the healing process and, in some cases, cause more damage.
However, HbOT treatments can bring hope to people suffering from chronic wounds.
At Oxify, we provide our clients with complementary treatments for wound healing by breathing pure oxygen while in the safe environment of a pressurised chamber.
This enriches blood plasma, providing oxygenation to damaged tissue, and promoting repair and regeneration for faster healing.
So, how does it work?
Here are some of the ways the enhanced delivery of oxygen provided by HbOT treatments can aid wound healing.
Do you or a loved one suffer from any of the conditions we have outlined in this article?
Do you find that you take longer than average to heal from wounds?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy may be the answer you are looking for!
In this study, researchers found an improvement in patients’ wounds, with an average 90% reduction in wound size.
Breathing pure oxygen while in a pressurised environment increases the delivery of oxygen to damaged tissue:
If you would like to find out more about how HbOT can aid wound healing as a complementary treatment to conventional medicine, please complete our contact form and one of our friendly team will be in touch to discuss your options. Alternatively, choose your location and follow the instructions on screen to book a taster session in one of the Oxify branches in Leeds, Manchester, Retford, York or Newcastle (Gateshead).
