Jackson Hospital | Partners | Fall 2017

jackson.org 11 When is HBOT needed? Your doctor may suggest HBOT for the following conditions: •  Chronic diabetic wounds •  Delayed radiation injuries •  Compromised skin flaps or grafts •  Bone or soft tissue infections •  Carbon monoxide poisoning •  Acute thermal burns •  Crush injuries •  Gas gangrene How does it help? Your body’s tissues need oxygen to function. HBOT increases the amount of oxygen your blood can carry and thereby promotes heal- ing while fighting infection. accelerates the healing process. Saving limbs Randall G. Cook, MD, FACS, CWSP, UHM, Medical Director of the Jackson Hospital Wound Care Center, underscores the exciting and life-changing nature of advanced wound healing therapies for wound patients: “We are able to offer something not Under normal circumstances, oxygen is transported throughout the body only by red blood cells. With HBOT, oxygen is delivered to the en- tire body and can be carried to areas where circulation is diminished. In this way, extra oxygen can reach all of the damaged tissues, and the body can support its own healing process. The increased oxygen enhances the ability of white blood cells to kill bacteria, reduces swelling and allows new blood vessels to grow more rapidly in the affected areas. What to expect HBOT is a simple, noninva- sive and painless treatment. Most treatments, often called “dives,” last approximately previously available,” he says. “Being able to save a patient’s limb is unquestion- ably the most rewarding thing that we experience with hyperbaric oxygen— and we see it a lot.” “Our program is completely devoted to healing problem wounds and helping our patients reclaim their quality of life,” says Felecia Taunton, RN, Clinic Manager. two hours. Patients with diabetic foot ulcers and other chronic wounds may undergo treatment five days a week for 30 to 60 days. What are the side effects? Complications from HBOT are extremely rare, but as with any medical procedure, there are some risks. Side ef- fects may include: •  Injury to the middle ear •  Temporary nearsightedness •  Lung damage •  Seizure •  Claustrophobia To schedule an appoint- ment or to learn more about HBOT, please contact Jackson’s advanced Wound & Hyperbaric Medicine Center at 334-293-8138 . What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy? Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment for a wide range of diseases and conditions. It enhances the body’s natural healing process by allowing patients to breathe 100 percent oxygen in a pressurized chamber. The pressure is increased to al- most three times higher than normal air pressure; therefore, your lungs can absorb more oxygen than would be possible while breathing pure oxy gen at normal air pressure. Common questions about hyperbaric oxygen therapy—answered