Hyperbaric Medicine

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a safe and effective therapy that supplies 100% oxygen in a special space with higher-than-normal air pressure levels. Breathing in greater amounts of oxygen, compared to the 21% oxygen we inhale on an everyday basis, helps wounds to heal from the inside out. It increases our body’s ability to form new blood vessels, build healthy tissues and fight off infection.

During this therapy, a patient goes into a transparent, pressurized chamber and is immersed with pure oxygen. HBOT is usually painless and side effects are rare. Some patients may feel a plugging in their ears as they might experience in an airplane as altitude changes.

While relaxing in the chamber, patients can nap, listen to music, or watch TV or movies. For the duration of your treatment, you can communicate with a technician outside the chamber through an intercom system.

The additional oxygen that goes into our bloodstream through HBOT helps our body heal itself. HBOT is well known to reduce swelling, improve circulation and stimulate healing of damaged tissue through new cell growth. It is an effective treatment for diabetic ulcers, radiation burns, and many other kinds of wounds.

The use of hyperbaric oxygen for medical treatment dates back to the early 20th century and has been well-proven in treating wounds for more than 50 years. The Bayhealth Wound Care Center has been using HBOT since 2008.