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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy/Wound Care Center

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a medical treatment that is used to treat a limited but diverse series of illnesses and help in healing some wounds. Hyperbaric oxygen is a simple concept. The air we breathe contains 21% oxygen. Providing 100% oxygen by facemask without the use of a chamber has certain, limited, benefits. By providing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber, we are able to deliver 2-3 times that which can be provided by breathing 100% oxygen with no increase in pressure. This "hyperbaric" (or high pressure) dose of oxygen offers distinct therapeutic benefits.

Depending on the reason for your referral to the Hyperbaric Medicine Center, you will receive one or more of the following effects:

• Increased oxygen delivery to the injured tissue
• Greater blood vessel formation
• Advanced wound healing
• Improved infection control
• Preservation of damaged tissues
• Elimination of toxic substances
• Reduced effects from toxic substances
• Reduction or elimination of tissue obstruction by gas bubbles

Patients are able to lie comfortably and restfully in the clear chamber and watch TV, nap, or listen to music during the treatment. Sometimes there is a sensation felt, similar to that felt while flying in an airplane or driving down a mountain, as the eardrum responds to changes in pressure. Like all medical treatments and procedures, some risks are associated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, but are quite rare.

The Hyperbaric Medicine Center is located on the ground floor of WNJ. If you have any questions, feel free to call us at (903) 891-2139, or email us at wound_care@wnj.org.