Ad
related to: Does hyperbaric oxygen treatment affect glycemic control in diabetic foot disease?Learn About Type 1 Diabetes and How it May Affect the Body. Read More Information Now. Read About Autoantibodies and Early Detection of T1D Today.
- See the FAQs
Get the Answers to Frequently
Asked Questions Today.
- View T1D Organizations
Stay Connected. Learn About
T1D Organizations Today.
- Join the Support Program
View Resources & Copay Assistance.
Terms & Conditions Apply.
- Talk to Your Doctor
Download the Discussion Guide
to Start the Conversation Today.
- See the FAQs
Search results
- Interestingly, long-term HBO treatment of diabetic foot syndrome has been shown to acutely ameliorate hyperglycaemia.
Oct 19, 2021 · A number of studies have reported an impact of hyperbaric oxygen treatment on glycaemic control in patients undergoing treatment for diabetic foot disease. There has been no systematic review considering the impact of hyperbaric oxygen on glycaemia in people with diabetes.
This review provides an evidence that hyperbaric oxygen therapy is effective as an adjunct treatment measure for the diabetes foot ulcers. These findings could be generalized cautiously by considering methodological flaws within all studies.
- Overview
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy definition
- Can it help treat diabetic foot ulcers?
- Potential benefits
- Possible risks
- Can it help with other symptoms of diabetes?
- Other treatment options for diabetic foot ulcers
- Summary
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a treatment option that involves a person breathing almost pure oxygen in a special room or small chamber. Evidence suggests that HBOT may have a variety of applications, including the promotion of wound healing. Due to this, it may help treat diabetic foot ulcers.
Diabetes is a condition that affects how the body processes blood glucose. If blood sugar levels are not under control, this can increase the risk of complications. Potential complications include problems with the feet due to the effects of diabetes on blood circulation, which can slow wound healing.
Researchers estimate that 15–25% of people living with diabetes will experience a foot ulcer in their lifetime. Of these individuals, about 6% will require hospitalization due to complications.
In some cases, a doctor may consider suggesting HBOT. This treatment uses a special chamber in which a person breathes in oxygen at higher air pressure levels than average to help fill the blood with enough oxygen to aid with repairing tissue. Although research is still ongoing, growing evidence indicates that HBOT may be beneficial for treating diabetic foot ulcers.
Medical experts define HBOT as a treatment that involves an individual breathing near 100% oxygen in a hyperbaric chamber that is pressurized to greater than sea level pressure. The term hyperbaric refers to a gas being at a greater atmospheric pressure than usual.
The body requires oxygen to function correctly. The air that people breathe typically contains 21% oxygen. HBOT involves breathing almost pure oxygen in a special room to help the lungs collect more of this gas. This treatment aims to increase blood oxygen to help repair tissues and restore normal functioning of the body. This extra oxygen can help reduce inflammation, eliminate infections, and promote wound healing.
During HBOT, a person enters a special room known as a hyperbaric chamber. Manufacturers specially design this chamber to contain air at approximately 1.5 to 3 times higher pressure than the air in the atmosphere at sea level. Some chambers fit a single person, whereas others can accommodate several people at once.
Some of the more common conditions that HBOT can treat include:
•adverse effects of radiation therapy
•carbon monoxide poisoning
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given HBOT approval for the treatment of 13 conditions, including wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers. The Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society also lists HBOT as a treatment option for diabetic foot ulcers.
A 2018 study reported that HBOT was effective in treating 74.2% of diabetic foot ulcer cases. The use of HBOT dramatically improved the foot ulcer healing process compared with other treatment methods.
However, it is worth noting that doctors may not suggest HBOT until they classify the wound as a Wagner grade 3 or higher. This grading system uses a scale of 0–5 to indicate the extent of tissue damage and involvement.
During the natural wound healing process, the body uses oxygen to stimulate the healing and growth of new tissue. HBOT helps encourage the formation of new blood vessels around the wound area, and these supply the area with more oxygen. This influx of oxygen and other healing nutrients helps generate new, healthy tissue.
However, the authors of a 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis note that while HBOT lowers amputation rate, it may not improve wound healing and may vary in effectiveness. They add that HBOT may be effective in addition to other treatments for diabetic foot ulcers, though.
A 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis concludes that although more research is still necessary, HBOT may provide an effective treatment option for severe diabetic foot ulcers. As such, doctors will likely only recommend this treatment for foot ulcers with a classification of Wagner grade 3 or higher. Individuals who are interested in HBOT can speak with a doctor to learn more about this treatment.
HBOT may provide several benefits for individuals dealing with diabetic foot ulcers. The primary benefit is that it can speed up the healing process. A quicker recovery time can help individuals living with diabetes regain the benefits of an active lifestyle and avoid complications that relate to foot ulcers.
A 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis adds that in addition to promoting healing, this treatment can help reduce serious adverse events, such as amputation and wound infection, as well as improving the quality of life.
As with any medical procedure, HBOT carries certain risks. Some possible side effects associated with HBOT include:
•damage to the sinuses and ears
•changes in vision, such as nearsightedness
•lung damage
•oxygen poisoning, which can result in seizures
Some people may experience other complications, such as hypoglycemia during hyperbaric treatments. To avoid this, it is advisable to eat before treatments and to monitor blood glucose regularly during the appointment.
Blood sugar levels
Some people with diabetes may find it difficult to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Extremely high or low blood sugar can have serious health consequences. A 2015 study notes that for individuals living with type 2 diabetes, regular HBOT sessions may help improve glucose tolerance and blood sugar levels. The reason for this is that HBOT can cause people’s blood sugar to drop.
Retinopathy
Another potential complication of diabetes is diabetic retinopathy. This refers to damage to blood vessels in the eye that can result in vision problems. A 2020 study suggests that HBOT can help prevent diabetic retinopathy or slow its progression. Although more research investigating its potential benefits is necessary, HBOT may offer another treatment option to help manage eye health in those living with diabetes.
An untreated diabetic foot ulcer can cause severe damage to the foot, which may require amputation. However, the condition is preventable, and timely treatment can help minimize the risk of permanent damage.
Typically, prevention and treatment options include:
•controlling blood glucose and attending regular checkups with a diabetes healthcare team
•exercising regularly and eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet
•stopping smoking
•undergoing debridement, which involves cleaning the wound and removing dead tissue
A diabetic foot ulcer is a potential complication of diabetes. It occurs when irregular blood sugar levels affect blood circulation in the feet, which can slow wound healing. In addition to controlling blood glucose, a doctor may suggest HBOT to help treat severe diabetic foot ulcers.
The FDA approves the use of HBOT to treat nonhealing wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers. The procedure involves a person entering a pressurized room and breathing almost pure oxygen. This increases the amount of oxygen in the blood, boosting the oxygen flow to the wound, which promotes healing.
- Carolyn Farnsworth
Oct 19, 2021 · In diabetes, meticulous glycaemic control has been shown to reduce the risk of microvascular, macrovascular, and neurological complications [6, 7]. There is emerging evidence demonstrating blood glucose level changes in people with diabetes undergoing hyperbaric oxygen treatment [8, 9, 10, 11, 12].
- Sudhanshu Baitule, Aaran H. Patel, Aaran H. Patel, Narasimha Murthy, Narasimha Murthy, Sailesh Sanka...
- 2021
Nov 21, 2023 · In conclusion, the findings from this systematic review suggest that hyperbaric oxygen therapy significantly enhances the complete healing rates of diabetic foot ulcers, promoting effective wound resolution, while also demonstrating commendable safety profiles.
- Lihua Tao, Xiao Yuan
- Int Wound J. 2024 Mar; 21(3): e14507.
- 10.1111/iwj.14507
- 2024/03
Preliminary studies have indicated that systemic treatment of diabetic foot ulcer patients with hyperbaric oxygen therapy have beneficial effects on wound healing, risk of amputation, glycaemic control, atherosclerosis, inflammatory markers and other clinical and laboratory parameters.
People also ask
Does hyperbaric oxygen treatment affect glycaemic control in diabetic foot disease?
Can Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy treat diabetic foot ulcers?
Does hyperbaric oxygen treatment affect glycaemic control?
Does hyperbaric oxygen treatment reduce blood glucose?
Do hyperbaric and normobaric conditions affect blood glucose levels in diabetes mellitus?
Jan 1, 2022 · Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increased the healing rate of diabetic foot ulcers (relative risk, 1.901; 95% CI = 1.484–2.435, p < 0.0001), shortened the healing time (MD = −19.360; 95% CI = −28.753~-9.966, p < 0.001), and reduced the incidence of major amputation (relative risk, 0.518, 95% CI = 0.323–0.830, P < 0.01).
Ad
related to: Does hyperbaric oxygen treatment affect glycemic control in diabetic foot disease?Learn About Type 1 Diabetes and How it May Affect the Body. Read More Information Now. Read About Autoantibodies and Early Detection of T1D Today.
