| HYPERBARIC WOUND CARE PROCEDURE PAGE |
| Prescribed hyperbaric oxygen therapy is 100 percent oxygen delivered in a pressurized environment. The air we normally breathe is 21 percent oxygen and 79 percent nitrogen. In hyperbaric treatments, the pressure is typically increased 2.4 times greater than normal and may even be increased to six times greater, depending on the case.
Breathing pure oxygen under pressure causes a larger amount of oxygen to be dissolved in the blood and subsequently delivered to the rest of the body. This also explains why placing a wounded area in an oxygen "tent" cannot be effective - the oxygen must be delivered to all parts of the body by the blood stream.
Oxygen delivered under pressure actually dissolves in your blood stream and is carried in a solution like the fizz in a capped soda bottle. While small blockages may prevent the red cells from delivering oxygen to damaged tissues, oxygen dissolved in the "stream" of your tissue can reach those damaged areas and help fuel the healing process. The result is hyperbaric oxygen promotes healing and decreases infection.
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| Instructions: |
| You should not use any tobacco products while receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Smoking is prohibited since it prevents full oxygen transport by the blood due to the decrease in blood vessel size.
Be sure the hyperbaric physician is aware of all the medications you are taking or if any have been changed.
If you become ill (cold, sinus, congestion, diarrhea, nausea, difficulty breathing, chest pains, low blood sugar, etc.) during your weeks of hyperbaric oxygen treatment and have to cancel a treatment, please contact us as soon as possible.
If diabetic, check your blood sugar prior to eating your first meal of the day so you will be able to tell the staff when asked. We strongly recommend you eat well before arriving for treatment. Hyperbaric oxygen can increase the effect of insulin on lowering your blood sugar. Maintain your blood sugar in the high normal range.
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| Location: |
| Liberty Street Facility |
| Suggested Parking: |
| Patient parking is available at several lots at the Liberty Street Facility |
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