Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Advanced Wound Healing for Patients in the Greater Cleveland Area
Tissues of the human body require a sufficient supply of oxygen to function. When tissue is injured, and when chronic wounds are slow to heal or resistant to healing, even more oxygen is required for the tissue to survive and to prevent health risks, including loss of limbs or life-threatening conditions. Southwest General Health Center’s comprehensive approach to treating wounds involves the option for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to be used as a supplement to traditional treatment methods.
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is a medical treatment that gives your body's natural healing process a powerful boost. Patients breathe pure oxygen while relaxing in a specially designed pressurized tube. This isn’t just regular air—it’s 100 percent oxygen delivered under increased atmospheric pressure, typically two to three times greater than normal air pressure.
Under these conditions, the lungs gather more oxygen than they would at normal air pressure, and the oxygen is dissolved in the blood to be used by the body in many ways, including:
- Reduces inflammation swelling
- Stimulating growth of new blood vessels
- Controlling infections
- Improved surgical and injury recovery
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is a well-established treatment that has been shown to be extremely beneficial in healing or reducing the severity of wounds. Conditions treated with HBOT include:
- Diabetic wounds of the lower extremities
- Crush injuries and suturing of severed limbs
- Delayed effects of radiation injuries, such as osteoradionecrosis and soft-tissue radionecrosis
- Preparation and preservation of compromised skin grafts
- Chronic refractory osteomyelitis
- Carbon monoxide poisoning and gas gangrene
- Severe anemia, gas embolism, sudden hearing loss and frostbite
Your Treatment Experience
Knowing what to expect can help ease any concerns about your HBO treatment. Our goal is to make your experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
Southwest General is an established HBOT Center where trained technicians guide patients step-by-step through this state-of-the-art treatment. Your hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions typically last about 90 to 120 minutes. HBOT treatment plans are tailored to the unique needs of the individuals. Generally, patients require four to seven weeks of treatment (usually performed daily, five days a week) to achieve desired healing, with treatments usually scheduled once daily. Our team will work with you to create a treatment schedule that fits your lifestyle.
Before each session, our team will help you prepare by ensuring you’re wearing appropriate clothing (cotton garments) and have removed any items that could pose a safety risk. During treatment, you may feel a sensation similar to being in an airplane during takeoff and landing as the pressure changes. Many patients find the experience relaxing and use the time to rest, listen to music, or even nap.
Our trained technicians monitor you throughout each session to ensure your comfort and safety. We’re here to answer any questions and address any concerns you may have during your sessions.
Advanced Care to Promote Healing
Southwest General is committed to providing advanced and proven treatment approaches to benefit patients across the Greater Cleveland area. If you have questions about HBOT, or if you have been referred by a doctor for treatment, we are readily available to help you learn more. Contact us at 440-816-5970 for more information.
Our HBOT Center is located on Southwest General’s Main campus, near the Human Resources Department.
