Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Specialist
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Ocala Infectious Disease and Wound Center
Infectious Disease Physicians & Wound Care Specialists located in Ocala, FL
Oxygen supports every phase of wound healing, yet the tissue damage that’s caused by a wound affects blood vessels and limits the supply of oxygen. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) takes care of that problem, boosting oxygen levels in your blood to accelerate wound healing. Haris Mirza, MD, at Ocala Infectious Disease and Wound Center offers HBOT and ensures your comfort by using the largest chamber in the industry. If you live around The Villages, Citrus County, Lake County, and Sumter County and have questions about HBOT, call the office in Ocala, Florida, or use the online booking feature.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Q&A
What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
When you receive HBOT, you breathe 100% oxygen while lying in a pressurized hyperbaric chamber. The pressure increases the amount of oxygen your lungs absorb, allowing more oxygen to enter your bloodstream and reach your wound.
Oxygen is essential for tissues to live and function. Cellular metabolism, new cell growth, and healing all depend on an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients. Slow-healing wounds develop when the blood supply is diminished.
As HBOT boosts oxygen levels, healing accelerates. The increase in oxygen helps fight bacteria and increases the production of blood vessels, growth factors, and other substances that regenerate new tissues.
What conditions improve with hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
HBOT effectively treats a wide range of health conditions. These are some of the problems frequently treated at Ocala Infectious Disease and Wound Center:
- Diabetic wounds
- Gangrene
- Lyme disease
- Muscle recovery
- Post-stroke care
- Parkinson’s disease
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Crush injuries
- Necrotizing fasciitis
- Slow-healing ulcers
- Traumatic peripheral ischemia
- Brain infection or swelling
- Blocked retinal artery
- Slow-healing amputation sites or limb reattachments
- Acute peripheral arterial insufficiency (loss of circulation)
- Bone infections that don’t respond to antibiotics (recurrent osteomyelitis)
- Bone and tissue damage due to radiation (osteonecrosis and radionecrosis)
- Cyanide poisoning
- Severe anemia
- Decompression illness
- Air or gas embolism
- Acute carbon monoxide intoxication
- Recovery from plastic surgery
Dr. Mirza may recommend HBOT as the first line of treatment for an acute condition or use it together with other treatments as part of your comprehensive care.
Will I be comfortable inside the hyperbaric oxygen chamber?
At Ocala Infectious Disease and Wound Center, your HBOT is delivered using the SIGMA 40 hyperbaric chamber produced by Perry Baromedical. The SIGMA 40 was specially designed to increase your comfort and reduce the sense of claustrophobia.
The SIGMA 40 has the industry’s largest chamber in both length and diameter. The tube is made of clear acrylic, so you don’t feel enclosed. The stretcher is extra wide, adjusts to raise your head, and accommodates patients up to 700 pounds.
What should I expect during hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Once you’re in the SIGMA 40, oxygen enters the chamber. As pressure builds in the chamber, you feel the sensation of warming and fullness in your ears like when you’re in an airplane.
After the chamber reaches the proper pressure, these sensations go away. Then you can rest and watch TV. Most HBOT treatments last 90 minutes to two hours. The number of HBOT sessions you need depends on the severity of your wounds.
The team at Ocala Infectious Disease and Wound Center offers a cash-pay option for Lyme disease, muscle recovery, post-stroke therapy, Parkinson’s disease, and traumatic brain injuries.
Insurance typically covers HBOT for diabetic ulcers, recurrent osteomyelitis, radiation complications, and acute arterial insufficiency.
To learn more about HBOT, call Ocala Infectious Disease and Wound Center or book an appointment online.